Effect of pinealectomy on homocysteine levels in ovariectomized rats.
OBJECTIVE
Hyperhomocysteinemia plays a role in obstetric and gynecological diseases and such diseases are seen as a consequence of an impaired methionine cycle. In the present study, it was aimed to determine the effect of estradiol and progesterone on homocysteine levels in pinealectomized and ovariectomized rats.


METHODS
The study was carried out on 24 adult Spraque-Dawley female rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups as follows: Group 1: Sham ovariectomy group (Sham-Ovx), Group 2: Ovariectomized and sham pinealectomized group (Ovx-Sham-Px), Group 3: Ovariectomized and pinealectomized group (Ovx-Px), Group 4: Group which were supplemented with estradiol and progesterone after ovariectomy and pinealectomy (Ovx-Px-E+P). Serum homocysteine levels were determined after experimental period.


RESULTS
Homocysteine levels in Group 3 were higher than those in Groups 1, 2 and 4 (p<0.05). Homocysteine levels in Groups 2 and 4 were higher than those in Group 1 (p<0.05). Homocysteine levels in Groups 2 and 4 were not different.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of the present study demonstrate that ovariectomy lead to increases homocysteine levels. Pinealectomy in addition to ovariectomy increases homocysteine levels. However, administration of estradiol and progesterone following pinealectomy prevents the increase in homocysteine levels in ovariectomized rats.
Oztekin
Esma
E
Department of Biochemistry, Meram Medical School, Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey. eoztekin@selcuk.edu.tr
Ozturk
Bahadir
B
Mogulkoc
Rasim
R
Baltaci
Abdulkerim Kasim
AK
Tiftik
Ali Muhtar
AM
D000818:Animals; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood*; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010053:Ovary / Q000502:physiology*; D010870:Pineal Gland / Q000502:physiology*; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D006710:Homocysteine; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol