Nnuclear uptake and retention of a synthetic progestin in the cardiovascular system of the baboon

Journal Article · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Endocrinology; (United States)

OSTI ID:6541825

Sheridan, P J; McGill, Jr, H C

It has long been known that there is a sexual dimorphism in the incidence of coronary heart disease. This observation, together with more recent reports of increased cardiovascular disease associated with the use of oral contraceptives, led to a search for steroid receptors in the cardiovascular system. In this study the nuclear uptake and retention of a synthetic progestin was examined in the cardiovascular system of the baboons. Long term oophorectomized baboons were primed with estradiol benzoate for 3 days before the experiment (50 micrograms/kg, im) and adrenalectomized 2 days before the experiment. On the day of the experiment, the animals were injected under anesthesia with 2.5 micrograms/kg BW (/sup 3/H)ORG 2058 (16 alpha-ethyl-21-hydroxy-19-nor-(6,7-/sup 3/H)pregn-4-ene-3,20-dione) or with (/sup 3/H) ORG 2058 plus a 1000-fold excess of unlabeled progesterone (control). One hour after the injection, the animals were rapidly exsanguinated, and parts of the cardiovascular system were removed and processed for autoradiography. Localization of the synthetic progestin was found in nuclei of between 25-75% of all smooth muscle cells of the media of all arteries examined and to a lesser extent in the nuclei of the fibroblasts and others cells of the adventitia. Localization of the synthetic progestin in the heart was limited to approximately 1% of the myocardial cells and less than 5% of interstitial cell nuclei. The pattern of localization found differs from that for estrogen and androgen and suggests the possible presence of estrogen-independent progesterone receptors in smooth muscle cells of the media of the aorta and coronary arteries.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Texas, San Antonio
• OSTI ID: 6541825
• Journal Information: Endocrinology; (United States), Journal Name: Endocrinology; (United States) Vol. 114:6; ISSN ENDOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550201* -- Biochemistry-- Tracer Techniques
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMALS
APES
AUTORADIOGRAPHY
BIOLOGICAL LOCALIZATION
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
FIBROBLASTS
HORMONES
KETONES
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PREGNANES
PRIMATES
PROGESTERONE
RECEPTORS
RETENTION
SOMATIC CELLS
STEROID HORMONES
STEROIDS
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
TRITIUM COMPOUNDS
UPTAKE
VERTEBRATES