Expression of alpha1 Receptor and Nitric Oxide Synthase in Oophorectomized and Estrogen-Supplemented Rat Bladder and Urethra.
10.4111/kju.2014.55.10.677
- Author:
Youngjun SEO
1
;
Sung Woo PARK
;
Joo Yeong KIM
;
Sang Don LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Urology, Busan Veterans Hospital, Busan, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Bladder;
Estrogens;
Nitric oxide synthase;
Urethra
- MeSH:
Animals;
Collagen/metabolism;
Estradiol/analogs & derivatives/blood/pharmacology;
Estrogen Replacement Therapy/*methods;
Female;
Muscle, Smooth/pathology;
Nitric Oxide Synthase/*metabolism;
Ovariectomy;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley;
Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-1/*metabolism;
Urethra/drug effects/*metabolism/pathology;
Urinary Bladder/drug effects/*metabolism/pathology
- From:Korean Journal of Urology
2014;55(10):677-686
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of estrogen on the expression of the alpha1 receptor and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in rat urethra and bladder after oophorectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five mature female Sprague-Dawley rats (aged 10-11 weeks, 235-250 g) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: control group, oophorectomy group (Opx), or oophorectomy and estradiol replacement group (Opx+ Est). The degree of expression of alpha1 receptor (alpha1A and D) and NOS (neuronal NOS [nNOS] and endothelial NOS [eNOS]) in bladder and urethral tissues was investigated by using immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting. RESULTS: In the bladder, the expression rates of alpha1 receptor (alpha1A and alpha1D) increased in the Opx group but decreased in the Opx+Est group. These changes were not statistically significant. The alpha1A and alpha1D receptor of the urethra decreased in the Opx group but increased in the Opx+Est group. These changes were not statistically significant. In the bladder and urethra, the expression rates of nNOS and eNOS significantly increased in the Opx group but decreased in the Opx+Est group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that estrogen depletion increases NOS and alpha1 receptor expression in the rat bladder. However, these changes could be restored by estrogen replacement therapy.
