Effect of tibolone on cytochrome c oxidase I, beta-2-microglobulin and vascular endothelial growth factor gene expression in the lower urinary tract of castrated rats.
BACKGROUND
The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of tibolone on cytochrome oxidase I (COX I), beta-2-microglobulin (B2M) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression in the lower urinary tract of castrated rats. These genes are related to cell energy, cellular immunity and vascularization processes.


METHODS
Fifty adult castrated rats remained at rest for 28 days. Thereafter they were randomly divided into two groups of 25 animals each. The lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra) was extracted in animals of one group and the other group received tibolone at a dose of 0.25 microg/animal/day for another 28 days followed by removal of the lower urinary tract. Total RNA was extracted from animals of both groups, forming two pools. After RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction), expression of COX I, B2M and VEGF genes was evaluated by agarose gel electrophoresis, visualized by UV illumination.


RESULTS
Expression of the three genes (COX I, B2M and VEGF) was greater in the group treated with tibolone.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of tibolone increases the expression of COX, B2M and VEGF genes in the lower urinary tract as compared with that in castrated rats.
Hamerski
M G
MG
Gynecology Department, Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery Division, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
Bortolini
M A T
MA
Da Silva
I D C Guerreiro
ID
Castro
R A
RA
Sartori
M G F
MG
De Lima
G Rodrigues
GR
Girão
M J B C
MJ
D000818:Animals; D002369:Castration; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000187:drug effects*; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D009652:Norpregnenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014551:Urinary Tract / Q000187:drug effects*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000187:drug effects*; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000187:drug effects*
D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D009652:Norpregnenes; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV; C027385:tibolone