Estrogen and progesterone receptors in ovarian cancer

Article Abstract:

Although the relationship between breast cancer and the female sex hormones has been widely studied, less is known about the role played by these hormones in the development of ovarian cancer. Since the ovaries are regulated by sex steroids, it is to be expected that the cells have receptors for these hormones. To determine whether the expression of sex steroid receptors on ovarian cancer cells may play a role in the clinical course of ovarian cancer, 96 tumor specimens from 89 patients were examined for estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR). Of the 96 tumor specimens, 71 were primary ovarian tumors and 25 were metastases from abdominal connective tissues. There was no significant difference in the receptor expression of tumors from these two sources. About 33 percent of the specimens were positive for both ER and PR. Seven percent were positive for PR only, 20 percent were positive for ER only, and 40 percent expressed neither estrogen receptors or progesterone receptors. There was no relationship between receptor expression and patient age, or status as premenopausal or postmenopausal. The presence or absence of estrogen receptors did not have any prognostic value, as it does in the case of breast cancer. When only presence of the PR was considered, its presence was linked to a favorable outcome; the expression of PR is highest at early stages of tumor development and decreases as the stage advances. However, when all factors which are predictors of favorable outcome were considered together, the presence of PR was no longer a statistically significant predictor. The sample size was not large enough to determine whether the expression of both ER and PR was prognostically different from the expression of PR alone. Further research may indicate whether the expression of PR is biologically important and reflects a milder natural history of its associated tumor. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Prognosis, Ovarian cancer, Cancer, Cell receptors, Cancer endocrinology

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Intrauterine infection and the effects of inflammatory mediators on prostaglandin production by myometrial cells from pregnant women

Article Abstract:

Uterine labor contractions may be inhibited by muscle relaxants in the muscle tissue of the uterus, and this inhibition may be diminished in women who have intrauterine infections. Such women may be at risk for preterm birth. Researchers evaluated the effects of substances which are known to stimulate the production of prostaglandins, which are hormones which cause uterine contractions, on uterine muscle tissue from pregnant women with and without uterine infection. Stimulating substances most commonly caused the production of 6-keto-prostaglandin F-1-alpha, a prostaglandin which relaxes smooth muscle. In women with uterine infection, however, production of this prostaglandin was diminished. Inhibited production of this prostaglandin may result in labor, even preterm labor, in women with intrauterine infection.

Infection, Physiological aspects, Inflammation, Prostaglandins, Inflammation mediators, Uterus, Myometrium, Prostaglandin synthesis

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Up-regulation of guinea pig myometrial adenylate cyclase activity by intrauterine estradiol and progesterone pellets

Article Abstract:

Estrogen is a hormone produced by the ovaries; progesterone is a hormone that prepares the lining of the uterus for egg implantation. Beta-adrenergic receptors are specialized sites through the body that have a particular affinity for certain chemicals, epinephrine and norepinephrine. These two chemicals activate adenylate cyclase, an enzyme essential for energy production inside the cells, in this case those lining the uterus. Pellets of estrogen and progesterone alone and in combination were implanted in the uteri of guinea pigs having no ovaries to see if there were any changes in receptors or adenylate cyclase activity. It was found that the hormones, particularly estrogen alone, did modulate the activity of adenylate cyclase in the cells of the uterine myometrium in nonpregnant guinea pigs.

Measurement, Epinephrine, Adenylate cyclase, Adrenergic beta agonists, Adrenergic beta-agonists

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