Estrogen Receptor Expression in Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction: A Pilot Study

• DOI: 10.3113/fai.2010.1081
• Publication Date: 2010-12-28T20:53:14Z
• Authors: Jay T. Bridgeman; Yue Zhang; Henry Donahue; Allison M. Wade; Paul J. Juliano
• Keywords: Pathophysiology

Background: The pathophysiology of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD) is poorly understood. It has been theorized that changes in hormone physiology may be a factor influencing health. Estrogen's influence on the fibroblast studied other musculoskeletal tissues. Gender differences anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries have and it discovered Estrogen receptor (ER) as well Progesterone (PR) are expressed ACL. Material Methods: Eight patients with PTTD requiring surgery were enrolled our pilot study. mean patient age was 52.4 (range, 18 to 73) years. There five female three male patients. Tendon samples harvested from diseased PTT. healthy PTT flexor digitorum longus (FDL) used controls. processed using specific protocols for total RNA isolation hypocellular, dense connective ERα ERβ transcripts quantified real time RT-PCR. Quantitative values obtained threshold cycle (Ct) number at which increase fluorescent signal associated an exponential PCR products can detected. Results: Transcripts both reproducibly detected isolated samples. no difference expression between control Conclusion: We found tenocyte FDL tendons express ERβ. Normal estrogen receptors. Clinical Relevance: Identifying gene initial step discovering whether tenocytes targets function. receptors identified indirectly by measuring but we unable show significant tendons.