Effect of tamoxifen on extracellular signal-regulated kinases in the urethra of castrated female rats

Objective: The aim was to evaluate the effects of tamoxifen in activating extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) 1 and 2 in the urethras of castrated female rats. Study design: Twelve castrated adult female rats were divided into a control group (n = 6) in which the animals received vehicle, and the experimental group (n = 6) in which the rats received tamoxifen 250 mu g/day by gavage for 28 days. Then, the animals were sacrificed and their urethras removed. Proteins were extracted, quantified and processed by Western blot analysis with specific phospho-ERK1 and 2 antibodies. Data were analyzed using Student's t-test (p < 0.05). Results: A significant increase occurred in phospho-ERK1 levels in the experimental group compared to the control group (p < 0.01), while no difference was found in phospho-ERK2 levels between the groups (p = 0.313). Conclusion: The present results indicate that, at the doses and during the time of treatment used, tamoxifen significantly increased phospho-ERK1 levels in the urethras of castrated female rats. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.