Protective effect of porcine placenta in a menopausal ovariectomized mouse

Abstract

Menopause is a significant physiological phase that occurs as women's ovaries stop producing ovum and the production of estrogen declines. Human placenta and some amino acids are known to improve menopausal symptoms. In this study, we investigated that porcine placenta extract (PPE) and arginine (Arg), a main amino acid of PPE, would have estrogenic activities in ovariectomized (OVX) mice as a menopause mouse model, human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7) cells, and human osteoblast cell line (MG-63) cells. PPE or Arg significantly inhibited the body weight and increased the vagina weight compared to the OVX mice. PPE or Arg ameliorated the vaginal atrophy in the OVX mice. The levels of 17b-estradiol and the activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were significantly increased by PPE or Arg in the serum of OVX mice. Trabecular bone parameters such as bone mineral density and porosity were also improved by PPE or Arg in the OVX mice. In the MCF-7 and MG-63 cells, PPE or Arg significantly increased the cell proliferation, estrogen receptor b mRNA expression, and estrogen-response elements luciferase activity. Finally, PPE or Arg increased the activations of ALP and extracellular signalregulated kinase 1/2 in the MG-63 cells. These results indicate that PPE or Arg would have estrogenic and osteoblastic activity. Therefore, PPE or Arg may be useful as new pharmacological tools for treating menopausal symptoms including osteoporosis. Free Korean abstract: A Korean translation of this abstract is freely available at

Placenta and Placental Derivatives in Regenerative Therapies: Experimental Studies, History, and Prospects

“…Therefore, the extracts do not contain cells but are rich in a wide range of proteins, minerals, amino acids, and steroid hormones [ 4 ]. According to the data of various research groups, such extracts possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic [ 26 ], antioxidant [ 50 , 51 ], cyto- and radioprotective [ 52 ], and anti-allergic properties and express hormonal activity [ 16 , 53 , 54 ], as well as stimulate proliferation and reparative processes [ 14 , 55 , 56 ].…”

“…Placental extracts were shown to enhance the proliferation of fibroblasts and cord blood cells in vitro . At the same time, it was noted that extracts isolated from the late gestation placenta possess the highest biological activity [ 53 , 56 ]. Cytoprotective and antioxidant properties of the extracts are usually associated with the protein components; in particular, they are correlated with the concentration of alpha-fetoprotein [ 50 , 51 ].…”

“…The mechanism of action of placental extracts in the wound healing is associated with the increase of TGF- β in the early phase of regeneration and VEGF in the late phase, as well as with the presence of FGF, amplification of angiogenesis, and the increase of expression of CD31 [ 28 , 60 ]. Application of placental extracts in menopausal disorders allowed reducing the number and severity of hot flushes, irritability, and normalize hormonal profile [ 54 , 61 ]; the amount of estrogen receptors in the experiment was increased, and the effects of vaginal atrophy were reduced, while the activity of osteoblasts was improved [ 53 ]. Experimental studies on the effect of placental extracts on behavior and physical condition in the animal model showed decrease in symptoms of fatigue and increased resistance to physical stress [ 53 , 62 ].…”

“…Application of placental extracts in menopausal disorders allowed reducing the number and severity of hot flushes, irritability, and normalize hormonal profile [ 54 , 61 ]; the amount of estrogen receptors in the experiment was increased, and the effects of vaginal atrophy were reduced, while the activity of osteoblasts was improved [ 53 ]. Experimental studies on the effect of placental extracts on behavior and physical condition in the animal model showed decrease in symptoms of fatigue and increased resistance to physical stress [ 53 , 62 ]. This phenomenon was explained by the rise of the level of intracellular calcium, activation of splenocytes and T cells, and reduction of synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines associated with fatigue (IL6, TNF, and IFN γ ) [ 53 , 62 ].…”

“…Experimental studies on the effect of placental extracts on behavior and physical condition in the animal model showed decrease in symptoms of fatigue and increased resistance to physical stress [ 53 , 62 ]. This phenomenon was explained by the rise of the level of intracellular calcium, activation of splenocytes and T cells, and reduction of synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines associated with fatigue (IL6, TNF, and IFN γ ) [ 53 , 62 ]. Similar results were obtained in preclinical studies [ 29 ].…”