Hypothyroidism induces uterine hyperplasia and inflammation related to sex hormone receptors expression in virgin rabbits

Publication date: Available online 24 May 2019Source: Life SciencesAuthor(s): Julia Rodríguez-Castelán, Aylin Del Moral-Morales, Ana Gabriela Piña-Medina, Dafne Zepeda-Pérez, Marlenne Castillo-Romano, Maribel Méndez-Tepepa, Marlen Espindola-Lozano, Ignacio Camacho-Arroyo, Estela Cuevas-RomeroAbstractAimsIn women, uterine alterations have been associated with sex steroid hormones. Sex hormones regulate the expression of thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) in the uterus, but an inverse link is unknown. We analyzed the impact of hypothyroidism on histological characteristics, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A), progesterone receptors (PR), estrogen receptors (ER), thyroid hormone receptors (TRs), perilipin (PLIN-A), and lipid content in the uterus of virgin rabbits.Main methodsTwelve Chinchilla-breed adult female rabbits were grouped into control (n = 6) and hypothyroid (n = 6; 0.02% of methimazole for 30 days). The thickness of endometrium and myometrium, number of uterine glands, and infiltration of immune cells were analyzed. The expression of VEGF-A, PR, ERα, and PLIN-A was determined by RT-PCR and western blot. The uterine content of triglycerides (TAG), total cholesterol (TC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) was quantified.Key findingsHypothyroidism promoted uterine hyperplasia and a high infiltration of immune cells into the endometrium, including macrophages CD163+. It also increased the expression of VEGF-A, TRA, and ERα-66 but reduced that of PR and ERÎ...
Source: Life Sciences - Category: Biology Source Type: research