Objective: To determine the effects of menopause (aging and E) on vaginal-c
ervical epithelial paracellular permeability.
Design: Experimental, basic clinical research.
Setting: Academic research environment.
Patient(s): Premenopausal, perimenopausal, and postmenopausal women, aged 3
5-65 years.
Intervention(s): Primary to tertiary cultures of normal human ectocervical
epithelial cells on filters. Cells were outgrown from surgically discarded
ectocervical minces.
Main Outcome Measurement(s): Changes in paracellular permeability were dete
rmined as changes in transepithelial electrical conductance and pyranine pe
rmeability.
Result(s): [1] Levels of transepithelial electrical conductance and pyranin
e permeability decreased as women's age advanced. [2] Removal of E from the
culture medium decreased paracellular permeability. Treatment of cells in
vitro with 10 nmol/L 17 beta -E-2 increased transepithelial electrical cond
uctance and pyranine permeability, but the effects were additive to the age
-related decrease in permeability. [3] Coadministration of 100 nmol/L tamox
ifen blocked the E increase in paracellular permeability in cells of both p
remenopausal and postmenopausal women.
Conclusion(s): [1] Aging and E deficiency decrease independently vaginal-ce
rvical epithelial paracellular permeability. [2) The E increase in vaginal-
cervical epithelial paracellular permeability in cells of postmenopausal wo
men is mediated by the E receptor. [3] The E increase in vaginal-cervical e
pithelial paracellular permeability in cells of postmenopausal women is mas
ked by age-related increase in the tight junctional resistance, leading to
overall decrease in paracellular permeability. (Fertil Steril(R) 2001;76:75
3-61. ((C) 2001 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.).