Comparative effects of estradiol and daidzein on the expression of endometrial cancer-related genes and histopathological parameters in the uterus of ovariectomized rats

Setayesh V. Neisy A. Niknam M. Khoshdel Z. Koohpeyma F. Alaee S. Zal F.
January 2026 Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
2026 #29 Issue 1 145 - 154 pp.

Objective(s): This study compared the effects of daidzein (DZD) and 17-β-estradiol (E2) on uterine histopathology, expression of endometrial cancer-related genes, and anti-oxidant status in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty rats were divided into five groups (n=6): Sham, OVX, OVX+E2 (10 μg/kg/day), OVX+DZD (20 mg/kg/day), and DZD-only. After 50 days of treatment, uterine tissues were analyzed for histopathological changes, mRNA expression of ERα, ERβ, PTEN, EZH2, and Ki67, and oxidative stress markers (TAC, SOD, CAT, and MDA). Results: Ovariectomy induced endometrial atrophy, significantly downregulated the expression of all target genes (ERα, ERβ, PTEN, EZH2, and Ki67), decreased SOD and CAT activity and TAC level, and increased MDA. E2 treatment reversed these changes but induced hyperplastic effects. DZD administration significantly increased CAT and SOD activity and elevated ERβ and Ki67 expression compared with the OVX group. Crucially, DZD prevented uterine atrophy without inducing hyperplasia. Conclusion: DZD demonstrated a potentially beneficial effect by improving uterine anti-oxidant capacity and preventing atrophy, but without the hyperplastic changes associated with estradiol. These findings suggest that DZD may be a safer alternative for managing hypoestrogenic conditions, warranting further investigation.

Endometrial neoplasms , Estrogens Ovariectomy , Oxidative , Phytoestrogens , Rats , stress

Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи

Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran
Research committee, Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Department of Reproductive Biology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
Department of Natural Sciences, West Kazakhstan Marat Ospanov Medical University, Aktobe, 030012, Kazakhstan
Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Department of Biochemistry
Research committee
Department of Reproductive Biology
Department of Natural Sciences
Infertility Research Center

10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель

Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026