[Study on estrogen receptor of adult human osteoblasts].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine estrogen receptor (ER) in osteoblasts from adult human and to elucidate the mechanism of estrogen in modulating bone metabolism. METHODS: The cultured osteoblasts were harvested from bone chips by modified sequential digestive enzyme release and immunohistochemical assay of ER in osteoblasts were carried out in three groups of female adults normal control (group 1), patients with moderate osteoporosis (group 2) and patients with serious osteoporosis (group 3). The percentages of ER-positive osteoblasts from the three groups were compared by t test. RESULTS: The brown marks that indicate ER were found in nuclei and plasma of the osteoblasts, and the percentages of ER-positive osteoblasts among three groups were significantly different. CONCLUSION: ERs exist in nuclei and plasma of the osteoblasts. Estrogen may modulate bone metabolism through binding ER in nuclei and plasma of the osteoblasts. The reduction of ER of osteoblasts may play an important role in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis.