Mitogenic effect of basic fibroblast growth factor and estradiol on cultured human myometrial and leiomyoma cells

Article Abstract:

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) appears to stimulate proliferation of uterine muscle cells and cells from uterine fibroid tumors. Samples of uterine muscle cells and fibroid tumor cells were obtained from five women having a hysterectomy. Cells were cultured and the effect of FGF and estrogen on cell division rates were evaluated by measuring uptake of a radioactive component of DNA. The amount of uptake in both muscle cells and tumor cells increased with increasing concentrations of FGF, but the tumor cells had a weaker response. Adding estrogen had no additional stimulating effect. However, FGF could play an indirect role in tumor growth because it stimulates blood vessel proliferation. The lack of response to estrogen has two possible explanations: cells are known to lose estrogen receptors in successive generations in culture, or estrogen possibly stimulates production of FGF within cells, which in turn suppresses the response of cells to external FGF.

Fibroblast growth factors

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Growth hormone receptor messenger ribonucleic acid expression in leiomyoma and surrounding myometrium

Article Abstract:

Benign tumors may develop in the uterus before menopause because of the action of growth hormone on receptors in the uterus. Researchers analyzed benign tumors and normal uterine muscle samples from nine premenopausal women and found that receptors for growth hormone were present in both tumors and normal muscle. Three of the women had been treated for three months before surgery with the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist, Depo-Lupron, but this drug did not change the number of growth hormone receptors in the uterine muscle. Growth hormone receptors are known to exist in the tissues of other muscles in the body, and high levels exist in the liver. Women with acromegaly have higher levels of growth hormone and may develop benign uterine tumors.

Somatotropin, Somatotropin receptors

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Nitric oxide synthase activity in the gravid rat uterus decreases a day before the onset of parturition

Article Abstract:

Withdrawal of nitric oxide may play a role in preparing the uterus for labor. Nitric oxide is believed to suppress uterine muscle contractions. Researchers periodically measured the activity of nitric acid synthase, the enzyme that produces nitric oxide, in the uterine tissues of pregnant rats. Nitric oxide synthase activity decreased from day 15 to 21 but did not decrease further within the last day or so before labor nor before or after the onset of labor. This suggests that nitric oxide participates in preparation for labor, but not the onset of labor.

Nitric oxide, Parturition, Parturition (Animals)

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