FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Donna Krupa
703.527.7357 (direct
dial)
703.967.2751 (cell) or
djkrupa1@aol.com
Sex-ratio and rheumatic disease, gender issues related
to space flight, sex-based differences in gene expression, pharmacogenetics
of estrogen replacement therapy, estrogen replacement and atherosclerosis,
and estrogen effects on the brain are among the mini-reviews in the
“Highlighted Topics” series.
New series being
presented by the American Physiological Society’s (APS) flagship
publication, The Journal of Applied Physiology
BETHESDA, Md. -- October 18, 2001 -- Bethesda, MD – The
American Physiological Society (APS) kicks off a special series entitled,
“Highlighted Topics on Gender Differences in Physiology,” beginning with the
October 2001 edition of the Journal of Applied Physiology, the
Society’s flagship publication. The October issue introduces the series, and
three months of mini-reviews are summarized below:
Hormonal Aspects of Gene Regulation (October)
The October selection of mini-reviews focuses
on hormonal aspects of gene regulation. In one mini-review
entitled, "Estrogen receptors: cell localization and physiology,"
Dr. Ellis Levin, Vice-chair for Research at the University of
California, Irvine, discusses new views regarding cellular
localization of estrogen receptors and signaling pathways as they
relate to specific functions in endothelial and breast cancer
cells.
Cardiovascular Protective Effects of 17 -estradiol
Metabolites (October)
In the second mini-review of the month, the
"Cardiovascular protective effects of
17{beta}-estradiol
metabolites," is examined by Drs. Raghvendra Dubey of University
Hospital of Zurich and Edwin Jackson from the University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center. Endogenous metabolites of the hormone
mediate physiological functions by receptor-dependent and
receptor-independent pathways. Increasing evidence for
membrane-associated cytosolic and nuclear estrogen receptors
strengthens the concept for receptor-mediated rapid or nongenomic
effects of hormones, in addition to the classical concept of gene
regulation or genomic effects. Enzymes, which metabolize
estrogen, have been identified in tissues other than those
described as classical steroidogenic tissues. Because the various
metabolites possess a spectrum of affinity for estrogen
receptors, these compounds may provide cell specificity to the
actions of hormones.
Sex Ratio and Rheumatic Disease (November)
In the November issue of this series, the
mini-reviews provide summaries of two recent consensus papers related to
human disease and adaptation. The first is entitled "Sex
ratio and rheumatic disease," submitted by Dr. Michael Lockshin,
Director of the Barbara Volcker Center for Women and Rheumatic
Disease at Cornell University and a member of the panel of the
Institute of Medicine Report. Dr. Lockshin excerpts aspects of
the report related to sex ratio or female/male dominance in the
presentation of rheumatic disease. As autoimmunity represents a
prototypical class of diseases that have high female-to-male
ratios, this mini-review critically evaluates evidence to
distinguish between sex discrepancy of incidence and the severity
of rheumatic disease. Information presented in tabular form facilitates
comparisons among the various experimental designs. Dr.
Lockshin's mini-review points out that studies are needed to
explore how interactions among exposure to infectious agents,
toxins, X or Y chromosome genetic modulators, and intrauterine
influences contribute to sex differences in autoimmune and
nonautoimmune diseases.
Gender Issues Related to Space Flight (November)
The second mini-review for November, entitled
"Gender issues related to space flight," focuses on gender adaptation
to the extreme environment of outer space. Dr. Deborah Harm,
in collaboration with an expert panel from the NASA Johnson Space
Center in Houston, TX, summarizes a consensus paper related
to gender-specific physiological changes and health issues among
astronauts. Although, historically, investigations of physiological
responses to microgravity have not been aimed at evaluating
gender-specific responses, several have been identified.
Cumulative data from space flights are reviewed as they relate to
cardiovascular and renal physiology, endurance and exercise for
extravehicular tasks, nutrition, osteoporosis, and reproduction.
Specific areas are identified in which information regarding
gender differences in physiological adaptation would impact
policy-making decisions related to space flights in the
future.
Sex-Based Differences in Gene Expression (November)
In the third November mini-review, entitled
"Sex-based differences in gene expression," Dr. Harry Ostrer, Director
of the Human Genetics Program at New York University School of
Medicine, reviews the molecular genetics of sex chromosomes. This
review includes a discussion of how the expression of X-linked
genes in females and Y-linked genes in males as well as sex-limited
gene expression could account for greater prevalence of certain
diseases in women compared with men when regulated developmentally
or hormonally. Analysis of individuals with and without genetic
sex reversal, accompanied by genetic linkage and gene expression
profiling, provides a means for distinguishing between genetic
and hormonal causes of certain human diseases.
Gender Differences in Diagnostic and Therapeutic Interventions for
Cardiovascular and Neurological Disease (December)
In December, two mini-reviews focus on gender
differences in diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for cardiovascular
and neurological disease. The first is entitled "Pharmacogenetics
of estrogen replacement therapy." Dr. David Herrington and his
colleagues from the Center for Excellence in Women's Health, Wake
Forest University, review new concepts of how gene polymorphisms
for estrogen receptor contribute to cardiovascular risks for
elevated cholesterol and venous thrombosis. Included in this
mini-review are data from the recently completed "Estrogen
Replacement and Atherosclerosis" trial concerning drug-gene
interactions related to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Estrogen Effects on the Brain: an Abundance of Sites
and Molecular Mechanisms (December)
The second mini-review, entitled
"Estrogen effects on the brain: an abundance of sites and
molecular mechanisms," is written by Dr. Bruce McEwen, head of the
Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology at Rockefeller University, and
reviews the effects of estrogen on neuronal synapses. The
question of whether estrogen replacement slows progression of
neurological diseases associated with aging is controversial.
This review provides experimental evidence of how estrogen
affects neuronal functions.
-end-
The American Physiological
Society (APS) was founded in 1887 to foster basic and applied science, much
of it relating to human health. The Bethesda, MD-based Society has more than
10,000 members and publishes 3,800 articles in its 14 peer-reviewed journals
every year.
***
Editor’s Note: To receive a copy of the abstracts, to interview speakers or
for more information, contact Donna Krupa at 703.527.7357(direct dial),
703.967.2751 (cell) or djkrupa1@aol.com.
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