Dandelion T-1 extract up-regulates reproductive hormone receptor expression in mice.
Reproductive hormones exert their actions via receptors in diverse tissues. In this study, we examined the expression of estrogen receptors (ERalpha and ERbeta), progesterone receptor (PR), and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) in the adipose tissue and reproductive organs of mice following oral treatment with Dandelion T-1 extract (DT-1E) for 6 weeks. Quantitative assays by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed enhanced expression of ERalpha and ERbeta mRNA in the adipose tissue of mice fed a diet containing DT-1E compared with the control group fed a plain diet. Furthermore, following gonadotropin injection, higher mRNA expression of ERalpha, ERbeta and PR in the uterus and FSHR in the ovary was found in the DT-1E group compared with the control group. An immunohistochemical study also showed increased levels of the above-mentioned receptors in the DT-1E group. The present study shows that oral intake of DT-1E up-regulates ERalpha, ERbeta, PR and FSHR expression in mice, suggesting the potential application of DT-1E for the clinical treatment of reproductive hormone-related disturbances.
Zhi
Xu
X
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka 545-8585, Japan.
Honda
Ken-Ichi
K
Ozaki
Koji
K
Misugi
Takuya
T
Sumi
Toshiyuki
T
Ishiko
Osamu
O
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha / Q000235:genetics*; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011962:Receptors, FSH / Q000235:genetics*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000235:genetics*; D031205:Taraxacum; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D014599:Uterus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
D047628:Estrogen Receptor alpha; D047629:Estrogen Receptor beta; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011962:Receptors, FSH; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol