TY - JOUR
T1 - Aromatase is increased in astrocytes in the presence of elevated pressure
AU - Gatson, J. W.
AU - Simpkins, J. W.
AU - Yi, K. D.
AU - Idris, A. H.
AU - Minei, J. P.
AU - Wigginton, J. G.
PY - 2011/1
Y1 - 2011/1
N2 - After traumatic brain injury (TBI), a progressive injury and death of neurons and glia leads to decreased brain function. Endogenous and exogenous estrogens may protect these vulnerable cells. In this study, we hypothesized that increased pressure leads to an increase in aromatase expression and estrogen production in astrocytes. In this study, we subjected rat glioma (C6) cells and primary cortical astrocytes to increased pressure (25 mm Hg) for 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. Total aromatase protein and RNA levels were measured using Western analysis and RT-PCR, respectively. In addition, we measured aromatase activity by assaying estrone levels after administration of its precursor, androstenedione.Wefound that increased pressure applied to the C6 cells and primary cortical astrocytes resulted in a significant increase in both aromatase RNA and protein. To extend these findings,wealso analyzed aromatase activity in the primary astrocytes during increased pressure. We found that increased pressure resulted in a significant (P < 0.01) increase in the conversion of androstenedione to estrone. In conclusion, we propose that after TBI, astrocytes sense increased pressure, leading to an increase in aromatase production and activity in the brain. These results may suggest mechanisms of brain estrogen production after increases in pressure as seen in TBI patients.
AB - After traumatic brain injury (TBI), a progressive injury and death of neurons and glia leads to decreased brain function. Endogenous and exogenous estrogens may protect these vulnerable cells. In this study, we hypothesized that increased pressure leads to an increase in aromatase expression and estrogen production in astrocytes. In this study, we subjected rat glioma (C6) cells and primary cortical astrocytes to increased pressure (25 mm Hg) for 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h. Total aromatase protein and RNA levels were measured using Western analysis and RT-PCR, respectively. In addition, we measured aromatase activity by assaying estrone levels after administration of its precursor, androstenedione.Wefound that increased pressure applied to the C6 cells and primary cortical astrocytes resulted in a significant increase in both aromatase RNA and protein. To extend these findings,wealso analyzed aromatase activity in the primary astrocytes during increased pressure. We found that increased pressure resulted in a significant (P < 0.01) increase in the conversion of androstenedione to estrone. In conclusion, we propose that after TBI, astrocytes sense increased pressure, leading to an increase in aromatase production and activity in the brain. These results may suggest mechanisms of brain estrogen production after increases in pressure as seen in TBI patients.
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U2 - 10.1210/en.2010-0724
DO - 10.1210/en.2010-0724
M3 - Article
C2 - 21047944
AN - SCOPUS:78650818851
SN - 0013-7227
VL - 152
SP - 207
EP - 213
JO - Endocrinology
JF - Endocrinology
IS - 1
ER -