Concentration of glycosaminoglycan in ovariectomized mice uterus after treatment with ovarian steroids

The aim of this study was to evaluate the amount of non-and sulfated glycosaminoglycans in the ovariectomized mice uterus, after treatment with ovarian steroids. For this purpose, 50 adult female mice were divided into five groups with 10 animals/each: control group: CG (ovary intact), and ovariectomized groups: OG (vehicle), EG (estradiol), PG (progesterone) and EPG (estradiol combined to progesterone). The treatments started 30 days after ovariectomy. All the animals were treated for 50 consecutive days. These hormones were administered in a sterile oily solution via gavage. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, all animals were euthanized, removing the uterine horn for biochemical analyses. To quantify, the hyaluronic acid (HA) used ELISA-like fluorometric assay, and the sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) used agarose gel electrophoresis. The amount of HA was significantly higher in the group treated with progesterone (PG) compared to the others groups (p < 0.05), and in the group treated with estradiol (EG), the amount of chondroitin/dermatan sulfate was significantly higher compared to the others groups (p < 0.05), and in the group treated with progesterone (PG), the amount of heparan sulfate was significantly lower compared to the others groups, except to control group (p < 0.05). Our results showed that the estroprogestative therapy after long time (50 days) profoundly affected the amount of glycosaminoglycans in uterine. These changes may be indicative of uterine pathology such as the development of tumor.Foundation for Research Support of Sao Paulo (FAPESP) [2009/52758-9]Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Gynecol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Morphol & Genet, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Sao Paulo, Fac Med, Hosp Clin, Dept Obstet & Gynecol,Gynecol Div, Sao Paulo, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Div Mol Biol, Dept Biochem, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Gynecol, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Morphol & Genet, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Div Mol Biol, Dept Biochem, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 2009/52758-9Web of Scienc

Molecular features of sexual steroids on cartilage and bone

In Brazil, the increase in the reported cases of degenerative diseases of articular cartilage is 20% per year, meaning that 200,000 Brazilians develop degenerative joint diseases every year, which have a negative impact on bone mass. This study shows evidence that hormone production of sexual steroids (estrogens, progestogens, and androgens) have an influence on cartilage quality, as well as on bone mass. Therefore, this review aimed to analyze literature data on the molecular and genic action of sexual steroids on hyaline cartilage and bone physiology, as well as osteoarthritis interference on the quality of these structures