Enhanced estrogen-induced proliferation in obese rat endometrium

Authors

Qian Zhang
Qi Shen
Joseph Celestino
Michael R Milam
Shannon N Westin
Robin A Lacour
Larissa A Meyer
Gregory L Shipley
Peter J A Davies
Lei Deng
Adrienne S McCampbell
Russell R Broaddus
Karen H Lu

Publication Date

2-1-2009

Journal

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that the proliferative estrogen effect on the endometrium is enhanced in obese vs lean animals.

STUDY DESIGN: Using Zucker fa/fa obese rats and lean control, we examined endometrial cell proliferation and the expression patterns of certain estrogen-regulated proproliferative and antiproliferative genes after short-term treatment with estradiol.

RESULTS: No significant morphologic/histologic difference was seen between the obese rats and the lean rats. Estrogen-induced proproliferative genes cyclin A and c-Myc messenger RNA expression were significantly higher in the endometrium of obese rats compared with those of the lean control. Expression of the antiproliferative gene p27Kip1 was suppressed by estrogen treatment in both obese and lean rats; however, the decrease was more pronounced in obese rats. Estrogen more strongly induced the antiproliferative genes retinaldehyde dehydrogenases 2 and secreted frizzled-related protein 4 in lean rats but had little or no effect in obese rats.

CONCLUSION: Enhancement of estrogen-induced endometrial proproliferative gene expression and suppression of antiproliferative gene expression was seen in the endometrium of obese vs lean animals.

Keywords

Animals, Cell Proliferation, Disease Models, Animal, Endometrium, Estradiol, Estrogens, Female, Gene Expression, Genes, Obesity, Rats, Rats, Zucker