In the hippocampus, estrogens increase dendritic arborization, longterm potentiation, neuroprotection, and participate in many functions related with learning, memory, and affective behaviors. The presence of both estrogen receptors alpha (ERa) and beta (ERb) isoforms has been described in the hippocampus where they play different physiological roles. The aim of this study was to investigate, by using both techniques immunohistochemistry and Western Blot, the expression pattern of ERa and ERb in the hippocampus of the rat along the estrous cycle. Western blot analysis was used to confirm the specificity of the antibodies used against ERa and ERb and its relative content in the hippocampus. Results from immunohistochemical studies indicate that ERb expression increased more than the ERa in CA1 and CA3 regions during all phases of the estrous cycle. ERb immunoreactivity was mainly located in the nucleus and predominantly expressed in CA1 during estrous and metestrus, and in CA3 during diestrus. ERa was more abundant during estrous in comparison to other phases of the cycle in CA1 region, while it was more abundant during metestrus in CA3. Interestingly, the immunolocalization of ERa subtype was both cytoplasmic and nuclear. The overall results indicate that there is a differential expression, cellular localization, and distribution of both ER subtypes in CA1 and CA3 regions, suggesting different roles for these two receptors in the hippocampus along the estrous cycle. Anat Rec, 294:1913Rec, 294: -1919Rec, 294: , 2011. V V C 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between handgrip strength, nutritional status and vitamin D deficiency in Mexican community-dwelling older women. A cross sectional study in women ≥ 60 years-old was performed. Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations were measured by a quantitative immunoassay technique. Handgrip strength was assessed using a dynamometer, while nutritional status was assessed through the Full Mini Nutritional Assessment (Full-MNA). A total of 116 women participated in the study, their mean age was 70.3 ± 5.8 years; 49.1% of the study group had plasma 25(OH)D levels lower than 40 nmol/L [16 ng/mL]. Meanwhile, 28.45% of participants had low handgrip strength (<16 kg), and 23.1% were identified at risk of malnutrition/malnourished according with Full-MNA score. Women with 25(OH)D deficiency (<40 nmol/L [16 ng/mL]) were more likely to have low handgrip strength (OR = 2.64, p = 0.025) compared with those with higher 25(OH)D values. Additionally, being malnourished or at risk of malnutrition (OR = 2.53, p = 0.045) or having type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (OR = 2.92, p = 0.044) was also associated with low 25(OH)D. The prevalence of low plasma 25(OH)D concentrations was high among Mexican active older women. Low handgrip strength, being at risk of malnutrition/malnourished, or diagnosed with T2DM was also associated with Vitamin D deficiency.

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