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. 2026 Mar 24;17:1679338. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2026.1679338

Table 2.

The direct and indirect regulatory effects of estrogen on GI function.

Research Object Research Method Major Research Conclusion References
Cell Line Experiments The transfected (HeLa) or endogenous (HepG2, DLD1) ER α or ER β cell lines: PCR, ELISA, Western Bolt. E2 has different effects on cell growth/apoptosis based on the presence of ER isomers.
The ER β subtype has the ability to activate specific signaling pathways from the plasma membrane, which may demonstrate the role of E2 in inducing cancer cell proliferation or apoptosis.
Acconcia F (48)
Female Rats Animal Model Construction: OVX female rats. E2 acting via ER α in c-NTS neurons, including neurons stimulated by CCK, is sufficient to inhibit feeding. Thammacharoen S (49)
Rats Animal Experiments: Messenger RNA Expression of OT by Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) OT antagonist administered to E2 benzoate (EB)-treated rats reversed the effect of EB on food intake. Estrogen effects to decrease food intake may involve the OT pathway. Sloan DK (50)
Rates Animal Experiments: Isolation of Stomach SMCs. EILSA, qRT-PCR. Estrogen enhances the effect of acetylcholine (ACh) - induced single gastric SMC contraction.
Estrogen increases NO and cGMP levels, with higher levels compared to late pregnancy.
Al-Shboul OA (55)
Women Clinical case-control study: A meta-genome-wide association study performed to compare the gut microbiota of pre and post-menopausal women. The gut microbiota of pre and post-menopausal women is different, producing different metabolites. Zhao H (57)
Mice Animal Experiments: WT and ER α-deficient (Esrra−/−) mice ERR α mediated its protective effects by acting within the radio-resistant compartment of the intestine.
The absence of ERR α lead to a decrease in diversity of the microbial community.
Tran A (63)
Mice Animal Experiments: Macro-genomics and Biochemical Analysis The gut microbiota is another factor in the patho-physiology of obesity. The obesity is associated with changes in the relative abundance of the two bacterial divisions, F and the B. Turnbaugh PJ (65)
Patients Clinical case-control study: Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) F/B ratio and gene expression levels were elevated in T2D patients.
Firmicutes positively correlated with studied gene expressions (IL-1β,-6,-8, TLR 2, 4, and5).
Bahar-Tokman H (66)
Patients Clinical case-control study: 16 S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. The differences in gut microbiota among IBD have changed after biotherapy.
The increase in the ratio of F/B may be a potential predictive factor for disease activity and treatment.
Tsai YC (67)
Male Wistar albino Rats Animal Experiments: gonadectomized rats E2 pretreatment inhibited gastric motility.
Sex steroids have a modulatory role on the feedback control of gastric motility induced by NO colonic distension.
Güal O (85)

IL, Interleukin; TLR, Toll-Like Receptor; RNA, Ribonucleic Acid; c-NTS, caudal Nucleus Tactus Solitaries; CCK, Cholecystokinin; OVX, Ovariectomized; ERRa, Estrogen-related receptor alpha.