Effect of adrenocorticotrophic hormone on the development of oestrogen-induced changes and hyperplasia formation in the mouse uterus.
The aim of this study was to examine the role of adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) in proliferative and morphogenetic reactions in the uterus under continuous oestrogen treatment. Ovariectomized mice received injections of oestradiol dipropionate or vehicle once a week (2 microg per 100 g), and injections of ACTH (10 microg per 100 g) once a day or once a week for 30 days. Additional control mice received oestradiol and saline, vehicle of oestradiol, and ACTH once a day or once a week, or vehicle of ACTH, for 30 days. This study shows for the first time that ACTH affects oestrogen-dependent reactions in the uterus. Treatment with ACTH once a day resulted in a decrease in uterine mass, in cell proliferation (assessed by the number of mitotic and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-labelled cells) and in the incidence of endometrial hyperplasia, in particular complex and atypical hyperplasia. Treatment with ACTH once a week led to a marked reduction in the incidence of endometrial hyperplasia, a slight increase in uterine mass and had almost no effect on cell proliferation. Daily treatment with ACTH reduced the concentration of oestrogen receptor alpha in all uterine compartments, but weekly ACTH administration had the opposite effect. Expression of glucocorticoid receptors, beta-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3beta in uterine tissues was lower in animals treated with oestradiol and ACTH once a day or once a week. When olive oil was used instead of oestradiol, treatments with ACTH did not produce detectable changes in all parameters examined. Thus, glucocorticoid receptor, oestrogen receptor alpha, beta-catenin and glycogen synthase kinase-3beta are involved in the effects of ACTH on oestrogen-induced changes in uterine mass, cell proliferation and the incidence of hyperplasia.
Gunin
A G
AG
Department of Histology Medical School Chuvash State University, PO Box 86, 428034, Cheboksary, Russia. drgunin@yahoo.com
Emelianov
V
V
Tolmachev
A S
AS
D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000032:analysis; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D003864:Depression, Chemical; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004714:Endometrial Hyperplasia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D005260:Female; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3; D038341:Glycogen Synthase Kinases; D051379:Mice; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010052:Ovariectomy; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000032:analysis; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014599:Uterus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D051176:beta Catenin
C495267:CTNNB1 protein, mouse; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051176:beta Catenin; D004958:Estradiol; D000324:Adrenocorticotropic Hormone; D038341:Glycogen Synthase Kinases; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; D038362:Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3