Abstract:
It is well known that 17 beta-estradiol (E2) has an antioxidant role on neurological systems in the brain. Raloxifene (RLX) and tamoxifen (TMX) are selective estrogen receptor modulators. An E2 deficiency stimulates mitochondrial functions for promoting apoptosis and increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. However, RLX and TMX may reduce the mitochondrial ROS production via their antioxidant properties in the brain and erythrocytes of ovariectomized (OVX) rats. We aimed to investigate the effects of E2, RLX, and TMX on oxidative stress, apoptosis, and cytokine production in the brain and erythrocytes of OVX rats.
Forty female rats were divided into five groups. The first group was used as a control group. The second group was the OVX group. The third, fourth, and fifth groups were OVX + E2, OVX + TMX, and OVX + RLX groups, respectively. E2, TMX, and RLX were given subcutaneously to the OVX + E2 and OVX + TMX, OVX + RLX groups for 14 days after the ovariectomy respectively.
While brain and erythrocyte lipid peroxidation levels were high in the OVX group, they were low in the OVX + E2, OVX + RLX, and OVX + TMX groups. OVX + E2, OVX + RLX, and OVX + TMX treatments increased the lowered glutathione peroxidase activity in erythrocytes and the brain and reduced glutathione and vitamin E concentrations in the brain. beta-carotene and vitamin A concentrations in the brain and TNF-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1 beta levels in the plasma of the five groups were not significantly changed by the treatments. However, increased plasma IL-4 levels and Western blot results for brain poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in the OVX groups were decreased by E2, TMX, and RLX treatments, although proapoptotic procaspase 3 and 9 activities were increased by the treatments.
In conclusion, we observed that E2, RLX, and TMX administrations were beneficial on oxidative stress, inflammation, and PARP levels in the serum and brain of OVX rats by modulating antioxidant systems, DNA damage, and cytokine production.
