Pyometra alters the redox status and expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors in the uterus of domestic cats
Acácia Eduarda de Jesus Nascimento, Luciano Cardoso Santos, Bianca Reis Santos, Emilly Oliveira Santos, Maria Clara da Silva Galrão Cunha, Paola Pereira das Neves Snoeck, Mário Sérgio Lima de Lavor, Juneo Freitas Silva- Small Animals
Objectives
The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression profile of sex steroid receptors and redox mediators in the uterus of domestic cats with pyometra.
Methods
Twelve cats were used and divided into groups: (1) non-gestational healthy diestrus (n = 7) and (2) pyometra (n = 5). The plasma profiles of estradiol and progesterone (P4) as well as uterine expression levels of estradiol alpha (ERα), progesterone (PR) and androgen (AR) receptors, of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), catalase and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), and of the oxidative damage marker 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were evaluated.
Results
Cats with pyometra showed higher plasma P4 levels and increased uterine messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of ERα and PR, mainly in the glandular epithelium for ERα and in stromal and myometrial cells for PR. In addition, there was an increase in 8-OHdG immunostaining and GPX1 mRNA and protein expression in cats with pyometra compared with those in non-gestational diestrus, while catalase showed a reduction in endometrial immunostaining in cats with pyometra. There were no differences in uterine AR and SOD1 expression between the groups.
Conclusion and relevance
The findings of this study showed that pyometra is associated with oxidative stress in the uterus of domestic cats and alterations of the profile of sex steroid receptors, especially ERα and PR, and of antioxidant enzymes, suggesting that changes in these mediators may play a role with the etiopathogenesis of this disease.