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Effects of Estrogen on the Gastrointestinal Tract

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Abstract

Estrogen is a kind of steroid compound that has extensive biologic activities. The effect of estrogen is pleiotropic, affecting multiple systems in the body. There is accumulating evidence that estrogen has important effects on the gastrointestinal tract. Longer exposure to estrogen may decrease the risk of gastric cancer. Use of the anti-estrogen drug tamoxifen might increase the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma. Estrogen receptor β may serve as a target for colorectal cancer prevention. In addition, estrogen has been reported to be closely related to the mucosal barrier, gastrointestinal function and intestinal inflammation. However, the role of estrogen in the gastrointestinal tract has not been systematically summarized. In this review, we aim to provide an overview of the role of estrogen in the gastrointestinal tract and evaluate it from various aspects, including estrogen receptors, the mucosal barrier, intestinal inflammation and gastrointestinal tract tumors, which may provide the basis for the development of therapeutic strategies to manage gastrointestinal diseases.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Prof. Hui Dong and Shiming Yang (Department of Gastroenterology, Xinqiao Hospital, Third Military Medical University) for their professional services.

Funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31660285).

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  1. Department of Gastroenterology, Affiliated Hospital, Zunyi Medical College, 149 Dalian Road, Zunyi, 563003, China

    Xubiao Nie, Rui Xie & Biguang Tuo

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  1. Xubiao Nie
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Correspondence to Biguang Tuo.

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Nie, X., Xie, R. & Tuo, B. Effects of Estrogen on the Gastrointestinal Tract. Dig Dis Sci 63, 583–596 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-018-4939-1

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