Role of Estrogens in the Size of Neuronal Somata of Paravaginal Ganglia in Ovariectomized Rabbits

Abstract

We aimed to determine the role of estrogens in modulating the size of neuronal somata of paravaginal ganglia. Rabbits were allocated into control (C), ovariectomized (OVX), and OVX treated with estradiol benzoate (OVX + EB) groups to evaluate the neuronal soma area; total serum estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) levels; the percentage of immunoreactive (ir) neurons anti-aromatase, anti-estrogen receptor (ERα, ERβ) and anti-androgen receptor (AR); the intensity of the immunostaining anti-glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and the GDNF family receptor alpha type 1 (GFRα1); and the number of satellite glial cells (SGCs) per neuron. There was a decrease in the neuronal soma size for the OVX group, which was associated with low T, high percentages of aromatase-ir and neuritic AR-ir neurons, and a strong immunostaining anti-GDNF and anti-GFRα1. The decrease in the neuronal soma size was prevented by the EB treatment that increased the E2 without affecting the T levels. Moreover, there was a high percentage of neuritic AR-ir neurons, a strong GDNF immunostaining in the SGC, and an increase in the SGCs per neuron. Present findings show that estrogens modulate the soma size of neurons of the paravaginal ganglia, likely involving the participation of the SGC.

A perspective from experimental studies of burning mouth syndrome

“…The OVX rats induced thinning of the tongue epithelium in the keratinized layer [54,55]. Hernandez-Aragon et al [56] also showed that female OVX animals induced the upregulation of GDNF family ligands. Artemin seems to be important in keratinization in the tongue mucosa [57].…”

An updated review on pathophysiology and management of burning mouth syndrome with endocrinological, psychological and neuropathic perspectives

“…In BMS patients, keratin 16, which is present in hyperproliferative epithelial cells, is abundant in spinous keratinocytes, which means keratinocytes are activated after possible epithelial damage . Ovariectomy leads to upregulation of glial cell line–derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family ligands and their receptors . mRNA expression of the GDNF family member artemin was increased in epithelial cells scraped from the tongues of BMS patients .…”

High Estradiol Differentially Affects the Expression of the Glucose Transporter Type 4 in Pelvic Floor Muscles of Rats

“…Nuclear protein extracts were prepared as described elsewhere [ 20 ] and used to identify ERα and ERβ expression in muscles. Total protein extracts were prepared to measure Glut4 relative expression as previously reported [ 21 ]. Briefly, equal amounts of protein (50 μg for nuclear and 100 μg for total protein extracts) were denatured in Laemmli’s sample buffer, resolved through 10% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and electro-blotted to nitrocellulose membranes.…”

“…Total serum steroids were extracted with diethyl ether (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) as reported elsewhere [ 21 ]. Total serum estradiol levels were then measured with an enzyme immunoassay-based commercial kit following the manufacturer’s instructions (item 582251, Cayman Chemical, Ann Arbor, MI, USA).…”