A comparison of the anti-inflammatory activities of conjugated estrogens and 17-beta estradiol.
OBJECTIVE
Unregulated chronic inflammatory process partly due to an estrogen deficiency may render postmenopausal women vulnerable to degenerative conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Current confusion regarding therapeutic efficacy of estrogen replacement therapy may be due to different estrogen formulations used, short term therapy, as well as advanced stage of the disease.


METHODS
We compared anti-inflammatory activities of two major estrogen preparations, conjugated equine estrogen (CEE) and 17-beta estradiol, using an animal model (rat mesentery) of in vivo inflammatory reaction to intravenously infused amyloid-beta, examined by video recording and subsequently analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. Cellular markers of inflammation were monitored: leukocyte migration, platelet activation, mast cell activation/degranulation, and endothelial disruption.


RESULTS
Low doses of CEE (0.3 mg/kg for 3 weeks) demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity, whereas even at high doses (2.0 mg) 17-beta estradiol had only minimal activity.


CONCLUSIONS
CEE, a mixture of several compounds, may have some component(s) with significant anti-inflammatory activity. The anti-inflammatory activity of CEE may have a role in prevention of several degenerative diseases associated with menopause.
Thomas
T N
TN
Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612-4799, USA. ayurveda.treatment@verizon.net
Rhodin
J A
JA
Clark
L
L
Garces
A
A
Bryant
M
M
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000648:ultrastructure; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007249:Inflammation; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008407:Mast Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008643:Mesentery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D018715:Microscopy, Video; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004967:Estrogens; D004966:Estrogens, Conjugated (USP); D004958:Estradiol