Changes in paraurethral connective tissue at menopause are counteracted by estrogen
Falconer, C ; Ekman-Ordeberg, G ; Ulmsten, U ; Westergren-Thorsson, G LU ; Barchan, K and Malmström, A LU
(1996)
In Maturitas
24(3).
p.197-204
- Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To study whether the transition to menopause is accompanied by changes in the paraurethral connective tissue and if these changes are modified by estrogen replacement therapy.
STUDY DESIGN: Biopsies were obtained from the paraurethral tissue from 34 women; 12 menstruating, 14 postmenopausal without estrogen treatment, and 8 with estrogen treatment. Collagen concentration and collagen extractability by pepsin digestion were measured. Proteoglycan composition and concentration were analysed using Alcian blue. The mRNA levels for collagen I and III, the small proteoglycans (PGS) decorin and biglycan, and the large proteoglycan versican, were estimated.
RESULTS: The paraurethral biopsies consisted of fibrous... (More)
OBJECTIVE: To study whether the transition to menopause is accompanied by changes in the paraurethral connective tissue and if these changes are modified by estrogen replacement therapy.
STUDY DESIGN: Biopsies were obtained from the paraurethral tissue from 34 women; 12 menstruating, 14 postmenopausal without estrogen treatment, and 8 with estrogen treatment. Collagen concentration and collagen extractability by pepsin digestion were measured. Proteoglycan composition and concentration were analysed using Alcian blue. The mRNA levels for collagen I and III, the small proteoglycans (PGS) decorin and biglycan, and the large proteoglycan versican, were estimated.
RESULTS: The paraurethral biopsies consisted of fibrous connective tissue, with collagen fibers as dominating structure. Several proteoglycans were identified; versican, heparansulphate proteoglycans, biglycan and decorin. The small proteoglycan decorin represented 85% of all proteoglycans. The collagen concentration was almost doubled in postmenopausal biopsies compared to premenopausal. The collagen fibril organization was also changed with higher cross-linking after menopause whereas the amount and the composition of the proteoglycans were unchanged. The proteoglycan/collagen ratio was significantly decreased. Estrogen replacement therapy resulted in decreased collagen concentration, decreased cross-linking of the collagen and reversal of the PGS/collagen ratio to almost premenopausal level. The therapy resulted in increased levels of mRNA for collagen I and III which suggests that the changes are due to an increased turnover.
CONCLUSION: The decrease in estrogen levels at menopause results in a connective tissue with different qualities after menopause. Estrogen replacement therapy tends to restore the metabolism of the genitourinary connective tissue to premenopausal conditions.
(Less)
- author
- Falconer, C
; Ekman-Ordeberg, G
; Ulmsten, U
; Westergren-Thorsson, G
LU
; Barchan, K
and Malmström, A
LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 1996-07
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Adult, Aged, Alcian Blue, Biglycan, Biopsy, Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans, Collagen, Coloring Agents, Connective Tissue, Decorin, Dermatan Sulfate, Estrogen Replacement Therapy, Estrogens, Extracellular Matrix Proteins, Female, Heparitin Sulfate, Humans, Lectins, Lectins, C-Type, Menopause, Menstruation, Middle Aged, Pepsin A, Postmenopause, Premenopause, Proteoglycans, RNA, Messenger, Urethra, Versicans, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- in
- Maturitas
- volume
- 24
- issue
- 3
- pages
- 197 - 204
- publisher
- Elsevier
- external identifiers
-
- scopus:0030199737
- pmid:8844634
- ISSN
- 0378-5122
- DOI
- 10.1016/S0378-5122(96)82010-X
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- efb4e7dd-4778-4065-b2f3-beb62ae8ce98
- date added to LUP
- 2017-06-27 14:19:37
- date last changed
- 2024-02-29 17:23:27
@article{efb4e7dd-4778-4065-b2f3-beb62ae8ce98,
abstract = {{<p>OBJECTIVE: To study whether the transition to menopause is accompanied by changes in the paraurethral connective tissue and if these changes are modified by estrogen replacement therapy.</p><p>STUDY DESIGN: Biopsies were obtained from the paraurethral tissue from 34 women; 12 menstruating, 14 postmenopausal without estrogen treatment, and 8 with estrogen treatment. Collagen concentration and collagen extractability by pepsin digestion were measured. Proteoglycan composition and concentration were analysed using Alcian blue. The mRNA levels for collagen I and III, the small proteoglycans (PGS) decorin and biglycan, and the large proteoglycan versican, were estimated.</p><p>RESULTS: The paraurethral biopsies consisted of fibrous connective tissue, with collagen fibers as dominating structure. Several proteoglycans were identified; versican, heparansulphate proteoglycans, biglycan and decorin. The small proteoglycan decorin represented 85% of all proteoglycans. The collagen concentration was almost doubled in postmenopausal biopsies compared to premenopausal. The collagen fibril organization was also changed with higher cross-linking after menopause whereas the amount and the composition of the proteoglycans were unchanged. The proteoglycan/collagen ratio was significantly decreased. Estrogen replacement therapy resulted in decreased collagen concentration, decreased cross-linking of the collagen and reversal of the PGS/collagen ratio to almost premenopausal level. The therapy resulted in increased levels of mRNA for collagen I and III which suggests that the changes are due to an increased turnover.</p><p>CONCLUSION: The decrease in estrogen levels at menopause results in a connective tissue with different qualities after menopause. Estrogen replacement therapy tends to restore the metabolism of the genitourinary connective tissue to premenopausal conditions.</p>}},
author = {{Falconer, C and Ekman-Ordeberg, G and Ulmsten, U and Westergren-Thorsson, G and Barchan, K and Malmström, A}},
issn = {{0378-5122}},
keywords = {{Adult; Aged; Alcian Blue; Biglycan; Biopsy; Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans; Collagen; Coloring Agents; Connective Tissue; Decorin; Dermatan Sulfate; Estrogen Replacement Therapy; Estrogens; Extracellular Matrix Proteins; Female; Heparitin Sulfate; Humans; Lectins; Lectins, C-Type; Menopause; Menstruation; Middle Aged; Pepsin A; Postmenopause; Premenopause; Proteoglycans; RNA, Messenger; Urethra; Versicans; Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{3}},
pages = {{197--204}},
publisher = {{Elsevier}},
series = {{Maturitas}},
title = {{Changes in paraurethral connective tissue at menopause are counteracted by estrogen}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0378-5122(96)82010-X}},
doi = {{10.1016/S0378-5122(96)82010-X}},
volume = {{24}},
year = {{1996}},
}