OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the androgen receptor (AR), oestrogen receptor( ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) by assaying the distributions of these three receptors in the both benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatic cancer (PCa) tissues, then to explore the difference of the effects of hormonal treatment between the AR positive and AR negative in PCa patients.

METHODSTo observe AR, PR and ER expressions in 30 cases of BPH and 32 cases of PCa tissues by DAKO Envision methods.

RESULTSThere were 22 AR positive, 10 ER positive and 6 PR positive cases in 30 BPH patients, and there were 18 AR positive, 14 ER positive and 2 PR positive in 32 PCa patients. There was no significant difference between the two groups. The survival time was 6.41 and 4.28 years for the AR positive and AR negative respectively in 30 PCa patients. The AR positive patients lived longer than the AR negative (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThese three receptors cant result in PCa and the effects of hormonal treatment on AR negative PCa patients is not certain.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Receptors, Androgen ; biosynthesis ; Receptors, Estrogen ; biosynthesis ; Receptors, Progesterone ; biosynthesis

To investigate the role of progesterone receptor (PR) expression in malignant melanoma (MM), PR and proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression were immunohistochemistrically evaluated in a series of 35 specimens of MM, and the correlation between the immunohistochemistrical findings and clinicopathological data was also analyzed. PR expression was detected in 25.7% (9/35) of the patients with MM. No PR expression was observed in nevi. PR expression was inversely correlated with PCNA expression (r=-0.353, P=0.026). PR expression was slightly increased in females, subjects aged under 55 y, those with ulceration, non-acral subtype and diagnosis delay longer than 1 y, but the difference was not statistically significant. Selective expression of progesterone receptor in malignant melanoma might be correlated with inhibited tumor growth.
Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Immunohistochemistry ; Melanoma/*metabolism ; Models, Biological ; Prognosis ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen/*metabolism ; Receptors, Progesterone/*biosynthesis ; Receptors, Progesterone/genetics ; Skin/metabolism ; Skin Neoplasms/metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the influence of acupuncture on embryo implantation in rat model of embryo implantation dysfunction, and to primarily explore its possible mechanisms.

METHODSPregnant rats were randomly allocated into the control group, the model group and the acupuncture group. The pregnancy rate and average number of blastocyst were observed, the serum levels of estrodiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and prolactin (PRL) were detected by RIA, and the protein and mRNA expression of progesterone receptor (PR) and prolactin receptor (PRLR) in endometrial tissue of implantation site were determined using immunohistochemical assay and RT-PCR respectively.

RESULTSThe pregnancy rate and average number of blastocyst were significantly higher in the acupuncture group than those in the control group respectively (P <0.01). The serum levels of P4 and PRL as well as the protein and mRNA expression levels of PR and PRLR in the model group were significantly lower than those in the other two groups (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture can promote embryo implantation in rats to a certain degree, and its mechanism might be related with the effects of acupuncture in mediating the sexual hormone levels and the receptor expression of rats.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Animals ; Embryo Implantation ; physiology ; Embryonic Development ; physiology ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Progesterone ; blood ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Radioimmunoassay ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Progesterone ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptors, Prolactin ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and its prognostic significance in breast cancer.

METHODSExpression of IL-8 in 113 breast cancers, 19 breast benign tumors and 20 breast normal tissues was examined by tissue microarray using immunohistochemistry, and the association of IL-8 expression with patient's clinico-pathological characteristics and prognosis was further analyzed.

RESULTSThe positive rate of IL-8 expression in breast cancer was 27.4%, which was significantly higher than that in benign tumor and normal tissue of breast (P = 0.002). IL-8 expression related to histological type (P = 0.040) and lymph node status (P = 0.021). The expression of IL-8 was observed to correlate negatively with ER and PR status (P = 0.015 and P = 0.034), and correlate positively with C-erbB-2 status (P = 0.002). In addition, Kaplan-Meier curves of disease-free survival analysis showed a significant difference between IL-8 positive groups and negative group (P = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONSIL-8 might be a poor prognostic factor for human breast cancer, and also might be a novel molecular marker to predicate the occurrence and progression of breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interleukin-8 ; biosynthesis ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; biosynthesis ; Receptors, Estrogen ; biosynthesis ; Receptors, Progesterone ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo discuss the clinical significance of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) mRNA and the relationship of MMP-2 mRNA expression with breast cancer metastasis.

METHODDetect MMP-2 mRNA expression of 30 breast cancer, metastatic lymphnode and 116 clinical breast cancer samples by flurence-quantitative RT-PCR and analysis the relativity of MMP-2 mRNA expression with clinical, pathology factors.

RESULTSMMP-2 mRNA expression in 30 metastatic lymphnode is lower than in primary breast cancer (t = -3.293, P < 0.05). The mRNA expression of MMP-2 in tumor > 2 cm is lower than in tumor

CONCLUSIONSMMP-2 mRNA expression is up-regulated in early clinic stage, lymphnode metastatic early stage, and down regulated with tumor progressing. MMP-2 mRNA expression is related with the metastasis of breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; enzymology ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; pathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptors, Estrogen ; biosynthesis ; Receptors, Progesterone ; biosynthesis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Despite the various responses of human skin to female sex hormones, cellular and subcellular targets and the mechanisms of action of estrogen and progesterone in human skin are not well understood. The detection of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in the skin is of great importance to understand the effect of estrogen and progesterone. In primary cultures of human keratinocytes, expression of ER and PR was monitored by immunocytochemistry and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Paraffin embedded skin tissues were stained with monoclonal antibodies to human ER and PR by immunohistochemistry. Cultured human keratinocytes expressed cytoplasmic PR protein and PR mRNA transcripts. By contrast, ER was detected only at the mRNA level. Suprabasal keratinocytes from samples of pruritic urticarial papules, plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP) and psoriasis were stained positively only for PR, while those from samples of erythema nodosum were negative for both ER and PR. Lesional epidermis of PUPPP showed positive PR immunoreactivity, while nonlesional epidermis did not. No other cells in the normal human skin were stained with ER and PR. The present study suggests that by expressing PR human keratinocytes act as targets for progesterone action.
Adolescence ; Adult ; Aged ; Cells, Cultured ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Human ; Immunoenzyme Techniques ; Infant ; Keratinocytes/metabolism* ; Keratinocytes/cytology ; Male ; Middle Age ; Receptors, Estrogen/genetics ; Receptors, Estrogen/biosynthesis ; Receptors, Progesterone/genetics* ; Receptors, Progesterone/biosynthesis ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA/methods ; Skin/pathology ; Skin/metabolism ; Skin Diseases/metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy on estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression in breast carcinoma.

METHODSSamples were obtained from 31 patients with breast carcinoma who received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, ER or PR expressions were analyzed in preoperative core biopsies and final surgical specimens.

RESULTSER level was up-regulated in 13 (41.9%) out of 31 cases, PR level was up-regulated in 10 (32.3%). Both ER level and PR level were up-regulated in 8 (25.8%) out of 31 cases.

CONCLUSIONSNeoadjuvant chemotherapy may impact the hormone receptor status, ER and PR expression re-analysis in final surgical specimens is recommended.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant ; Epirubicin ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Receptors, Estrogen ; biosynthesis ; Receptors, Progesterone ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo explore the molecular mechanism of jiantai liquid (JTL) in improving endometrial receptivity of mice with embryo implantation dysfunction (EID).

METHODSMice model of EID induced by mifepristone were intervened with JTL (Twig of Chinese Taxillus, Red Sage root, Chinese Angelica, Milkvetch root, Chuanxiong rhizome), and sacrificed on day 8 of pregnancy. The endometrial estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) protein and their gene expressions were assessed by Western blot and semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSLevels of ER and PR protein and their gene expressions in the JTL treated group were significantly higher than those in the model group respectively (all P < 0.05), and showed insignificant difference from those in the normal control group (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONJTL could promote the development of endometrium and improve the embryo implantation by way of regulating the levels of ER and PR protein and gene expression in mice with EID.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Embryo Implantation ; drug effects ; Female ; Luteolytic Agents ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Male ; Mice ; Mifepristone ; antagonists & inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Receptors, Estrogen ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptors, Progesterone ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Uterus ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the regulatory role of BRCA1 in the expression of progesterone receptors A and B (PRA and PRB) in breast cancer cells.

METHODSBreast cancer MCF-7 cells were transfected with pFlag-CMV2-BRCA1 wt plasmid containing a full-length BRCA1 cDNA or with BRCA1-specific siRNA via lipofectamine 2000 to induce overexpression or suppressed expression of BRCA1, respectively. Twenty-four hours after the transfection, the cells were incubated in fresh culture medium containing 100 nmol/L progesterone for 24 h. The total RNA extract or whole cell lysate was prepared for detecting BRCA1, PRA and PRB expressions using RT-PCR and Western blotting.

RESULTSThe protein expressions of PRA and PRB were significantly decreased whereas their mRNA expressions remained unchanged in MCF-7 cells overexpressing BRCA1. In MCF-7 cells with BRCA1 knock-down, in contrast, the PRA and PRB protein expressions were markedly increased.

CONCLUSIONIn breast cancer cells, exogenous and endogenous BRCA1 can both down-regulate the expressions of PRA and PRB at the protein level.

BRCA1 Protein ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Blotting, Western ; Breast Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Receptors, Progesterone ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of mifepristone on the growth of human gastric cancer cell line MKN-45 and its possible mechanisms.

METHODSIn situ hybridization was used to detect the expression of progesterone receptor (PR) mRNA in MKN-45 cells. Proliferation, cell cycle distribution, and the expression of Bcl-xL and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) of MKN-45 cells incubated with various concentrations of mifepristone (1, 5, 10, and 20 micromol/L) were analyzed using MTT reduction assay, flow cytometry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. After transplantation of MKN-45 cells underneath the skin of athymic mice, mifepristone was administrated with the dose of 50 mg/(kg x d) for 6 weeks to evaluate the tumor growth. Apoptosis and the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in xenografted tumors were detected using transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemical staining, respectively.

RESULTSPR mRNA was highly expressed in cultured MKN-45 cell. Mifepristone dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of MKN-45 cells, and the inhibitory rate was dramatically increased from 7.21% to 47.23%. The inhibitory effect was accompanied by a dose-dependent increase in the percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase, and with a concurrent decrease in the proportion of S- and G2M-phase cells and the proliferative index from 57.65% to 24.54%. Meanwhile, mifepristone down-regulated the expression of Bcl-xL and VEGF in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo, mifepristone effectively inhibited the growth of xenografted tumors in nude mice (55.14% for inhibitory rate), induced apoptosis, and down-regulated PCNA expression in gastric cancer.

CONCLUSIONMifepristone exerts significant growth inhibitory effects on PR-positive human MKN-45 gastric cancer cells via multiple mechanisms, and may be a beneficial agent against the tumor.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Mifepristone ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Receptors, Progesterone ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology