[Effect of Gengnianjian on up regulated estrogen receptor mRNA to substance P and beta-endorphin in hypothalamus of aging female rats].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of Chinese herbal formula Gengnianjian on estrogen receptor (ER), ERmRNA substance P (SP) and beta-endorphin (beta-EP) in the hypothalamus of aging female rats.


METHODS
ER proteins were determined by radioligand binding assay, ER mRNA was analyzed by Northern blot analysis and the levels of beta-EP and SP were detected by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
In aging rats, lowered ER and ER mRNA in the hypothalamus were still up-regulated by low serum E2 level, but not in rats of after the age of 21 months; Gengnianjian significantly increased ER protein level and ER mRNA expression, decreased SP and increased the level of beta-EP in the hypothalamus in aging female rats before 21 months of age, without changing of serum E2 level. In EB group, serum E2 and beta-EP levels increased and SP level decreased but ER expression suppressed in the hypothalamus except after 21 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Enhance estrogen bioactivity can decrease the level of SP and increase the level of beta-EP in hypothalamus of aging female rats. Herbal formula Gengnianjian increase-EP level and decrease SP level by raising the level of ER and ER mRNA.
Bu
S
S
Obstetric and Gynecdogy Hospital, Shanghai Medical University, Shanghai(200011).
Sun
M
M
Zhang
Y
Y
D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D013373:Substance P / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation; D001615:beta-Endorphin / Q000378:metabolism
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D013373:Substance P; D004958:Estradiol; D001615:beta-Endorphin