title: A comparison of the effects of estrogen and Cimicifuga racemosa on the lacrimal gland and submandibular gland in ovariectomized rats.
abstract: This study aims to observe the effects of estradiol and Cimicifuga racemosa on the lacrimal gland and submandibular gland of ovariectomized rats. We randomly divided 20 adult female SD rats into four groups-a sham-operated group (SHAM), ovariectomized (OVX) group, ovariectomized group treated with estradiol (OVX+ E), and ovariectomized group treated with the isopropanolic extract of Cimicifuga racemosa (OVX+ iCR). The SHAM group and OVX group used distilled water to instead the drugs. Two weeks after ovariectomy, the estradiol and iCR were administered for 4 weeks. Next, we used H&E staining and electron microscopy to observe any histological changes in the lacrimal and submandibular glands and immunohistochemical staining to observe the expressions of cleaved caspase-3 (Casp-3) and Cu-Zn SOD (superoxide dismutase). The H&E staining find that both drugs can prevent the cells of area from shrinkage in the two kinds of gland. But under the electron microscopy, estradiol and iCR have different efficacy. Estradiol is more effective at protecting mitochondria in lacrimal gland acinar cells than iCR, and iCR is more effective at suppressing endoplasmic reticulum expansion than estradiol. Both estradiol and iCR have a similar protective function on mitochondria in the submandibular gland. The protective function of the two glands may inhibit apoptosis by suppressing the expression of Casp-3. In addition, iCR increases the expression of Cu-Zn SOD in duct system of submandibular gland. The results suggest that both estradiol and iCR confer a protective effect on the lacrimal and submandibular glands of ovariectomized rats via different mechanisms.
authors: Department of Stomatology, General Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces, Beijing, China.
authors: Yunmeng
authors: Y
authors: Da
authors: Department of Stomatology, General Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces, Beijing, China.
authors: Kaiyu
authors: K
authors: Niu
authors: Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
authors: Ke
authors: K
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Civil Aviation General Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors: Guangxia
authors: G
authors: Cui
authors: Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
authors: Wenjuan
authors: W
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
authors: Biao
authors: B
authors: Jin
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors: Yu
authors: Y
authors: Sun
authors: Department of Stomatology, General Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Forces, Beijing, China.
authors: Jing
authors: J
authors: Jia
authors: Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
authors: Lihua
authors: L
authors: Qin
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors: Wenpei
authors: W
authors: Bai
mesh_terms: D061354:Acinar Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D031885:Cimicifuga / Q000737:chemistry*; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007765:Lacrimal Apparatus / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010052:Ovariectomy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013363:Submandibular Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004967:Estrogens; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D053148:Caspase 3