Interaction of estrogen and progesterone in the regulation of sodium channels in collecting tubular cells.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Renal Na+ handling differs between males and females. Further, within females Na+ metabolism changes during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Estrogen and progesterone could regulate alpha, beta and gamma amiloride-sensitive epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) subunit mRNA levels in female rat kidney. The aim of our study is to clarify the role of the female gender steroids in the regulation of ENaC activity.

METHODS:

We conducted an in vitro study on cultured collecting tubular cells. The collecting tubular cells were cultured under different concentrations of estrogen and/or progesterone. We analyzed the mRNA expression and protein translation of ENaC by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. Sodium channel activity was measured by short circuit current.

RESULTS:

Estrogen and/or progesterone alone mildly increased ENaC activity. A low concentration of estrogen together with progesterone stimulated ENaC activity more than 2-fold. A high concentration of estrogen almost completely inhibited the stimulated ENaC activity.

CONCLUSION:

Female gender steroid hormones affect RNA expression, protein translation and ENaC activity in renal collecting tubule cells. The effects might suggest that pre-menstruation edema is a result of subtle interaction between the female gender steroid hormones on ENaC in renal collecting tubule cells.

• Authors: Chiz-Tzung Chang, Chiao-Yin Sun, Chen-Yan Pong, Yi-Chang Chen, Geng-Ping Lin, Tzu-Ching Chang, Mai-Szu Wu
• Journal: Chang Gung medical journal (Chang Gung Med J) 2007 Jul-Aug Vol. 30 Issue 4 Pg. 305-12 ISSN: 2072-0939 [Print] China (Republic : 1949- )
• PMID: 17939260 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Epithelial Sodium Channels
• Estrogens
• RNA, Messenger
• Progesterone

Topics

• Animals
• Blotting, Western
• Cells, Cultured
• Epithelial Sodium Channels (drug effects, genetics)
• Estrogens (pharmacology)
• Gene Expression Regulation (drug effects)
• Kidney Tubules, Collecting (metabolism)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Progesterone (pharmacology)
• RNA, Messenger (analysis)
• Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction