唐山地区汉族人群白细胞介素6基因-572C/G多态性与脑梗死关系的研究

目的探讨唐山地区汉族部分人群白细胞介素6(IL-6)基因-572C/G多态性与脑梗死的关系。方法采用多聚酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性,检测118例首次新发脑梗死患者(脑梗死组)和154例健康体检者(对照组)IL-6基因-572C/G多态性位点频率,分析基因型与脑梗死的相关性。结果脑梗死组患者-572位点CC、CG、GG基因型频率分别为50.85%、41.53%、7.63%;对照组CC、CG、GG基因型频率分别为65.58%、31.82%、2.60%。脑梗死组和对照组-572位点C等位基因频率分别为71.61%、81.49%;G等位基因频率分别为28.39%、18.51%,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。CG、GG基因型人群患脑梗死的风险分别是CC基因型的1.683倍(95% CI:1.012～2.800,P0.05)和3.788倍(95% CI:1.11 8～12.833,P0.05)。多因素logistic回归分析显示,-572G等位基因是脑梗死发生的独立危险因素。结论唐山地区汉族部分人群中存在IL-6基因-572C/G多态性,可能与脑梗死有关,-572G等位基因可能是脑梗死发病的易感基因。     

IL-6基因启动子区-174C/G、-572C/G位点单核苷酸多态性与大动脉炎易感性之间的联系

目的大动脉炎(takayasu arteritis, TA)是一种主要累及大动脉及其一级分支的慢性炎症,目前TA的发病机制尚不明确,认为其发生发展与多种因素相关。白细胞介素6(interleukin 6, IL-6)与多种炎症性及免疫性疾病相关,既往研究提示IL-6启动区基因多态性可能与TA易感性相关,本研究将探讨IL-6基因启动子区-174C/G和-572C/G多态性与TA易感性之间的关联。方法纳入2011年12月～2014年1月在阜外医院确诊的111例大动脉炎患者(TA组),并选取197名健康的汉族人作为对照(对照组),描述并比较两组患者-174C/G(rs1800795)和-572C/G(rs1800796)位点的等位基因频率和基因型分布情况。结果 IL-6基因启动子区-174C/G位点基因型分别CC型和CG型,-572C/G位点检测到CC、CG和GG三种基因型,且-174C/G和-572C/G等位基因和基因型频率符合哈迪-温伯格遗传平衡。IL-6-174C/G位点CC基因型的分布频率在患者组和对照组中分别为97.3%,98.5%,CG基因型分布频率分别为2.7%,1.5%;IL-6-572C/G位点CC、CG、GG基因型在患者组的分布频率分别为44.2%,48.6%,7.2%,对照组分别为45.2%、47.7%、7.1%;两个位点基因型在TA组和对照组间分布差异无统计学意义(P值分别为0.47,0.86,0.94)。-174C/G位点CC基因型与CG基因型比值比分别为1.00和0.55,P=0.47;-572C/G位点CC、CG、GG基因型比值比分别为1.00,1.04和1.03。在显性遗传模式下,-572C/G位点CC与CG+GG基因型的比值比分别为1.00和0.96;隐性遗传模式下,-572C/G位点CC+CG与GG基因型的比值比分别为1.00和1.03;共显性遗传模式下,-572C/G位点CC、CG与GG基因型的比值比分别为1.00,1.04和1.03,三种遗传模型下基因型分布在两组之间无明显差异。-174C/G和-572C/G形成的单倍型在两组研究对象中分布差异无统计学意义(P=0.83)。结论 TA患者中IL-6基因启动子区-174C/G和-572C/G位点等位基因频率、基因型分布和基因型组合分布与正常人无差异,因此汉族人群中-174C/G和-572C/G基因单核酸多态性与大动脉炎易感性无关。     

白细胞介素6基因-597G/A与-572C/G多态性对心房颤动发病易感性的影响

目的 了解白细胞介素6(IL-6)基因-597G/A及-572C/G多态性对心房颤动(房颤)发病易感性的影响.方法 应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)方法,测定291例房颤患者(房颤组)和325例正常对照者(对照组)的IL-6基因-597G/A及-572C/G多态性,探讨其与房颤的相关关系、对不同病因及不同临床类型房颤的影响,观察其对左心房内径(LAD)、血清IL-6水平及外周血单个核细胞(PBMC)产生IL-6能力的影响.结果 在研究人群中,-597位点仅发现有GG基因型.-572位点存在3种基因型,房颤组CG+GG基因型和G等位基因频率分别为51.55％和29.90％,与对照组相比差异有统计学意义(P＜0.001),对照组中分别为35.38％、18.77％;G等位基因携带者患房颤的风险是CC基因型的1.94倍(95％ CI:1.41～2.68,P＜0.001);校正了其他因素的影响后,CG+GG基因型仍然是房颤发生的独立危险因素(OR=1.63,95％ CI:1.05～2.51,P＜0.05).孤立性、高血压、冠心病等不同病因以及不同临床类型房颤间-572C/G多态性分布差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).房颤组CG+GG基因型人群LAD值高于CC基因型人群[(37.51±8.78)mm对(35.26±5.52) mm,P＜0.05].不同基因型人群血清IL-6水平差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05),但对照组G等位基因携带者PBMC随培养时间的延长上清液IL-6含量高于CC基因型人群(P＜0.05).结论 IL-6基因-597G/A多态性可能与中国汉族人群房颤发病易感性无关;而-572C/G多态性可能是该人群房颤发病的易感基因之一,该多态性存在一定的功能.     

急性心肌梗死患者白细胞介素-6血清水平及其基因多态性研究

目的探讨急性心肌梗死(AMI)患者白细胞介素-6(IL-6)血清水平和IL-6基因-572C/G多态性在中国汉族人群中的分布频率及其与AMI易感性的关系。方法对145例AMI患者和170名健康对照人群进行IL-6血清水平和基因-572C/G多态性检测,IL-6血清水平采用ELISA法测定,基因型检测应用PCR/RFLP方法。结果AMI患者血清IL-6水平显著高于对照组[(25.36±19.91)pg/ml比(4.59±2.69)pg/ml,P<0.01]。AMI组CC、CG、GG三种基因型频率为52.41%、41.38%、6.21%;对照组为64.12%、34.70%、1.18%。两组间基因型、等位基因频率比较有显著性差异,前者CG GG基因型频率与G等位基因频率均显著高于后者(P均<0.05)。CG GG基因型人群患AMI的风险是CC基因型人群的1.62倍(95%CI:1.03~2.55,P<0.05)。不同基因型人群间血清IL-6水平无差异。结论AMI患者血清IL-6水平高,-572CG GG基因型频率高,IL-6基因-572G等位基因可能是中国汉族人群AMI发生的易感基因之一。     

白细胞介素-6基因多态性与慢性阻塞性肺疾病及吸烟因素的相关性研究

目的 探讨白细胞介素（IL）-6启动子区域基因-572C/G单核苷酸多态性与慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）易感性及吸烟因素之间的关系.方法 应用聚合酶链式反应-限制性片段长度多态性（PCR-RFLP）方法,检测并分析COPD患者和健康对照者IL-6-572C/G位点基因型分布情况,同时分析该多态性位点与吸烟相关COPD之间是否存在相关性.结果 中国上海地区汉族人群存在IL-6基因-572C/G多态性;COPD组CG、GG基因型、G等位基因频率均高于对照组（P＜0.01）;基因型频率的相对风险分析发现,CG、GG基因型各自患COPD的风险分别是CC基因型的2.09倍（95％ CI：1.03 ～4.23）和5.44倍（95％ CI：1.20 ～ 24.75）;-572C/G多态性在轻中度、重度COPD组间的分布比较差异无统计学意义;该突变位点与吸烟所致的COPD之间无相关性存在.结论 IL-6基因-572G等位基因可能是中国汉族人COPD发生的易感因子,可能与携带该等位基因的人群存在IL-6水平高表达有关,其基因分布与吸烟相关的COPD无明显相关.     

海南籍黎族和汉族急性脑梗死患者C反应蛋白和白细胞介素18的基因多态性研究

目的探讨C反应蛋白(CRP)-1059 G/C,白细胞介素18(IL-18)启动子基因-607 C/A和-137 G/C位点的基因多态性与海南黎、汉族人群急性脑梗死的相关性。方法选择汉族脑梗死患者115例为汉族脑梗死组和黎族脑梗死患者52例为黎族脑梗死组,分别与健康的汉族对照组116例和黎族对照组51例对照研究。测定CRP-1059 G/C、IL-18启动子基因-607 C/A和-137 G/C位点基因多态性。结果汉族脑梗死组CRP-1059 G/C位点C等位基因频率与汉族对照组比较,差异有统计学意义(P=0. 044),并且CRP-1059 G/C位点GG+GC基因型频率明显高于汉族对照组,CC基因型明显低于汉族对照组(78. 3%vs 87. 9%),差异有统计学意义(P=0. 049)。黎族脑梗死组CRP-1059 G/C、IL-18-607 C/A及IL-18-137 G/C位点的基因型和等位基因频率与黎族对照组比较,差异无统计学意义(P 0. 05)。多因素logistic回归分析显示,CRP-1059 GG+GC基因型为汉族脑梗死患者的独立危险因素(P 0. 05)。结论 CRP-1059 GG+GC基因型是海南籍汉族脑梗死患者的独立危险因素。而IL-18-607 C/A、IL-18-137 G/C基因多态性均与海南籍黎、汉族脑梗死患者无关。     

抵抗素基因-420C>G位点多态性对脑出血患者血浆抵抗素水平的影响

目的探讨抵抗素基因-420C>G位点单核苷酸多态性对脑出血患者血浆抵抗素水平的影响。方法选取344例高血压性基底核出血患者,入院时抽取外周血提取DNA,采用聚合酶反应-限制性片断多态性分析基因型,同时采用ELISA法检测血浆抵抗素浓度,进行统计分析。结果酶切后可见抵抗素基因-420C>G位点有CC、CG和GG三种基因型,等位基因C和G的频率分别为71.08%和28.92%,基因型CC、CG和GG的频率依次为50.29%、41.57%和8.14%。经Hardy-Weinberg遗传平衡定律检验,各基因型频率符合遗传平衡。CC、CG和GG基因型患者血浆抵抗素浓度依次为(23.83±7.09)ng/mL、(26.54±7.32)ng/mL和(27.18±9.97)ng/mL。CC基因型患者血浆抵抗素均显著低于CG和GG基因型患者(P<0.01,P<0.05)。结论抵抗素基因-420C>G位点单核苷酸多态性显著影响脑出血患者血浆抵抗素水平,可能参与脑出血炎症反应。     

内皮素-1基因多态性与海南汉族人原发性高血压的相关性

目的研究内皮素(ET)-1基因K198N、G8002A、+138A/-多态性与海南汉族人群原发性高血压(EH)的相关性。方法采用引物特异性片段长度多态性(PCR-SSP)方法分别检测201名海南籍汉族EH患者及311名海南籍汉族血压正常者ET1基因的+138A/-,K198N,G8002A位点多态性,基因频率采用基因计数法计算。结果海南籍汉族EH组+138A/-位点3A3A基因型的分布频率明显高于正常对照组(P<0.001),EH组3A(+138A/-)分布频率高于正常对照组(70.6 vs 62.2)(P=0.006)。海南籍汉族EH组K198N位点的GG基因型分布频率明显高于正常对照组(50.7%vs 31.8%)(P<0.001)。EH组K198N等位基因G分布频率明显高于正常对照组(74.1%vs 60.1%)(P=0.006)。结论 ET-1基因+138A/-位点的3A3A基因型和3A等位基因、K198N位点的GG基因型和G等位基因与海南汉族人EH相关,3A3A基因型、GG基因型可能是EH发生的危险因素。     

妊娠相关血浆蛋白A基因IVS6+95多态性与急性心肌梗死的易感性

目的:探讨中国常武地区汉族人群妊娠相关血浆蛋白A(PAPP-A)基因IVS6+95多态性与急性心肌梗死(AMI)易感性的关系。方法:AMI组308例,对照组(无冠状动脉狭窄的非冠心病者)213例,采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性方法分析PAPP-A基因IVS6+95多态性。结果:AMI组和对照组PAPP-A基因IVS6+95位点均检出GG、CG和CC 3种基因型。单因素和多因素分析均未发现CG和CC基因型频率分布在两组之间有统计学差异。与对照组相比,AMI组的GG基因型(52.58%∶43.51%,P=0.049)和G等位基因(73.71%∶67.05%,P=0.024)频率分布均较低;经多因素Logistic回归分析显示,AMI组的GG基因型(OR=0.642,95%CI:0.428~0.962,P=0.032)和G等位基因(OR=0.677,95%CI:0.487~0.942,P=0.020)频率仍低于对照组。结论:在中国常武地区汉族人群中,AMI患者和无冠状动脉狭窄的非冠心病者均存在PAPP-A基因IVS6+95多态性,且后者与AMI的易感性降低密切相关,提示GG基因型和G等位基因可能是减少AMI发病风险的遗传因素之一。     

TNF-α基因启动子多态性与HBV感染转归的关系

目的:探讨中国汉族人肿瘤坏死因子-α(tumor necrosisfactor-α,TNF-α)基因启动子单核苷酸多态性与乙型肝炎病毒(hepatitis B virus,HBV)感染结果之间的关系.方法:慢性乙型肝炎患者131例,HBV感染自愈者165组应用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态性分析方法,检测HBV感染自愈者和慢性乙型肝炎患者TNF-α基因启动子-238G/A,-308G/A,-857C/T和-863C/A单核苷酸多态性位点基因型.结果:对慢性乙型肝炎组和HBV感染自愈组人群TNF-α基因启动子区域的-238G/A,-308G/A,-857C/T和-863C/A 4个SNP位点进行基因型分析,共发现12种启动子基因型,以GG·GG·CC·CC,GG·GG·CC·CA,GG·GG·CT·CC和GG·GA·CC·CC基因型多见,约占85%.通过对慢性乙型肝炎患者和HBV感染自愈者TNF-α基因启动子4个位点基因型联合分析发现,GG·GG·CC·CC,GG·GG·CC·CA和GG·GA·CC·CC基因型在慢性乙型肝炎组和HBV感染自愈组分布差异有显著性,其中携带GG·GG·CC·CC基因型的个体患慢性乙型肝炎的机会比(odds ratio,OR)为2.15,95%可信区间为1.34-3.45;而携带GG·GG·CC·CA或GG·GA·CC·CC基因型的个体患慢性乙型肝炎的OR分别为0.48(95%可信区间为0.27-0.86)和0.35(95%可信区间为0.14-0.89).HBV感染的清除可能与GG·GG·CC·CA(X2=6.14,P=0.013＜0.05)和/或GG·GA·CC·CC(X2=5.18,P=0.023＜0.05)基因型有关.进一步对各位点单核苷酸多态性分析发现,慢性乙型肝炎患者和HBV感染自愈者TNF-α基因启动子-238G/A、-857C/T位点基因型分布频率差异无显著性,而-308G/A,-863C/A位点基因型分布频率差异有显著性(-308G/A位点,X2=6.53,P=0.011＜0.05,OR=3.05;-863C/A位点,X2=4.33,P=0.037＜0.05,OR=1.69).结论:TNF-α基因启动子-308G/A、-863C/A位点多态性与中国汉族人HBV感染后的结果有关,其中TNF0-α308G/A和/或-863C/A位点A等位基因的存在可能有利于HBV感染的清除.     

Three layer functional model and energy exchange concept of aging process

Relying on a certain degree of abstraction, we can propose that no particular distinction exists between animate or living matter and inanimate matter. While focusing attention on some specifics, the dividing line between the two can be drawn. The most apparent distinction is in the level of structural and functional organization with the dissimilar streams of ‘energy flow’ between the observed entity and the surrounding environment. In essence, living matter is created from inanimate matter which is organized to contain internal intense energy processes and maintain lower intensity energy exchange processes with the environment. Taking internal and external energy processes into account, we contend in this paper that living matter can be referred to as matter of dissipative structure, with this structure assumed to be a common quality of all living creatures and living matter in general. Interruption of internal energy conversion processes and terminating the controlled energy exchange with the environment leads to degeneration of dissipative structure and reduction of the same to inanimate matter, (gas, liquid and/or solid inanimate substances), and ultimately what can be called ‘death.’ This concept of what we call dissipative nature can be extended from living organisms to social groups of animals, to mankind. An analogy based on the organization of matter provides a basis for a functional model of living entities. The models relies on the parallels among the three central structures of any cell (nucleus, cytoplasm and outer membrane) and the human body (central organs, body fluids along with the connective tissues, and external skin integument). This three-part structural organization may be observed almost universally in nature. It can be observed from the atomic structure to the planetary and intergalactic organizations. This similarity is corroborated by the membrane theory applied to living organisms. According to the energy nature of living matter and the proposed functional model, the decreased integrity of a human body's external envelope membrane is a first cause of the structural degradation and aging of the entire organism. The aging process than progresses externally to internally, as in single cell organisms, suggesting that much of the efforts towards the restoration and maintenance of the mechanisms responsible for structural development should be focused accordingly, on the membrane, i.e., the skin. Numerous reports indicate that all parts of the human body, like: bones, blood with blood vessels, muscles, skin, and so on, have some ability for restoration. Therefore, actual revival of not only aging tissue of the human body's membrane, but the entire human body enclosed within, with all internal organs, might be expected. We assess several aging theories within the context of our model and provide suggestions on how to activate the body's own anti-aging mechanisms and increase longevity. This paper presents some analogies and some distinctions that exist between the living dissipative structure matter and inanimate matter, discusses the aging process and proposes certain aging reversal solutions.     

Unusual responses of nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis and secretion to swimming: Attempts to define mechanisms

Abstract: The effect of swimming at night on rat pineal melatonin synthesis was compared with that of light exposure at night. Rats were forced to swim at 0030 hr (lights out at 2000 hr) and sacrificed by decapitation 15 and 30 min later, immediately after swimming. Other groups of animals were exposed to white light (650μW/cm²) for 15 and 30 min at same time. Swimming caused a rapid and highly significant drop in the melatonin content in the pineal gland; however, the activity of N-acetyltransferase (NAT), the supposed rate limiting enzyme in the melatonin production, was not changed. Despite the drop in pineal melatonin levels, serum concentrations of the indole remained elevated in the rats that swam. In contrast, melatonin levels in the pineal and serum of light exposed rats fell precipitously, accompanied by a significant suppression of NAT activity. Since we anticipated that the strenuous exercise associated with swimming may induce release of artrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from the heart, which in turn could cause the release of pineal melatonin, in a second study we injected physiological saline intravenously to stretch the cardiac muscle and release ANP. Three milliliters of normal saline was injected during the day into the jugular vein of anesthetized rats that were pretreated with isoproterenol to stimulate pineal melatonin production. Animals were killed 15 min after the saline injection, and pineal NAT activity and pineal melatonin levels were measured. The saline injections caused no alteration in the elevated levels of either NAT or melatonin. These data suggest that the disparity in pineal NAT activity (which was high) and pineal melatonin (which was low), in animals swum at night, may not be caused by ANP which is released during strenuous exercise such as swimming.     

Melatonin and photoperiodic time measurement: Seasonal breeding in the sheep

Abstract: Well-established circadian physiology supports the view that photoperiodic time measurement utilizes the coincidence between the presence of light and a photosensitive phase of a 'biological clock' to alter reproductive status—the so-called external coincidence model of seasonal breeding. In this review, we examine the mechanism whereby photoperiod interacts with presumed suprachiasmatic nuclei activity to allow endogenous melatonin to normally synchronize reproductive activity to the optimal time of year. The Romney Marsh sheep is particularly explored as an experimental model. It is suggested that the on/off activity of seasonal reproduction may be a robust mechanism able to be predictably manipulated by the judicious use of the light/dark cycle and exogenous melatonin, but firmly based on circadian principles.     

Serological survey of HIV and syphilis in pregnant women in Madagascar

Objectives Peripartal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, leads to severe consequences for newborns. Preventive measures require awareness of the maternal infection. Although HIV and syphilis testing in Madagascar could be theoretically carried out within the framework of the national pregnancy follow‐up scheme, the required test kits are rarely available at peripheral health centres. In this study, we screened blood samples of pregnant Madagascan women for HIV and syphilis seroprevalence to estimate the demand for systemic screening in pregnancy. Methods Retrospective anonymous serological analysis for HIV and syphilis was performed in plasma samples from 1232 pregnant women that were taken between May and July 2010 in Ambositra, Ifanadiana, Manakara, Mananjary, Moramanga and Tsiroanomandidy (Madagascar) during pregnancy follow‐up. Screening was based on Treponema pallidum haemagglutination tests for syphilis and rapid tests for HIV, with confirmation of positive screening results on line assays. Results Out of 1232 pregnant women, none were seropositive for HIV and 37 (3%) were seropositive for Treponema pallidum. Conclusions Our findings are in line with previous studies that describe considerable syphilis prevalence in the rural Madagascan population. The results suggest a need for screening to prevent peripartal Treponema pallidum transmission, while HIV is still rare. If they are known, Treponema pallidum infections can be easily, safely and inexpensively treated even in pregnancy to reduce the risk of transmission.     

Variabilité des concentrations plasmatiques de l’angiotensinogène et risque d’hypertension artérielle chez le rat transgénique

Aim

Genetic polymorphisms of the human angiotensinogen gene are frequent and may induce up to 30% increase of plasma angiotensinogen concentrations with a blood pressure increase of up to 5 mmHg. Their role for the pathogenesis of human arterial hypertension remains unclear. High plasma angiotensinogen levels could increase the sensitivity to other blood pressure stressors.

Methods

Male transgenic rats with a 9-fold increase of plasma angiotensinogen concentrations and male non-transgenic rats aged 10 weeks were treated or not with NG-Nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester for 3 weeks in their drinking water (n = 3/group). Systolic blood pressure and body weight were measured at baseline and at the end of the study when left ventricular weight and ventricular expression of angiotensin I-converting enzyme and procollagen Iα1 were determined (polymerase chain reaction).

Results

At baseline, transgenic rats had +18 mmHg higher bood pressure and –8% lower body weight compared to non-transgenic rats (P < 0.05) without significant changes for the vehicle groups throughout the study (P > 0.05). NG-Nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester increased blood pressure, left ventricular weight and left ventricular weight indexed for body weight by +41%, +17.6% and +18.6% (P < 0.05) in transgenic and +25%, +5.3% and +6.7% (P > 0.05) in non-transgenic rats compared to untreated animals, respectively. Cardiac gene expression showed no differences between groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Increased plasma angiotensinogen levels may sensitize to additional blood pressure stressors. Our preliminary results point towards an independent role of angiotensinogen in the pathogenesis of human hypertension and associated end-organ damage.     

Morphological and immunocytochemical heterogeneity of cultured pinealocytes from one-week-and two-month-old rats: Planimetric and densitometric investigations

Abstract: In vitro preparations of rat pinealocytes are widely used for biochemical analyses of signal transduction processes. This paper deals with morphological and immunocytochemical features of such preparations. Special attention was paid to the problems of whether pinealocytes represent a heterogeneous cell population and how such heterogeneity may develop during ontogeny. The investigations were performed with cells which were obtained from the pineal organ of one-week-and two-month-old rats, attached to synthetic peptide-coated coverslips or tissue culture chamber slides, and maintained under in vitro conditions overnight. The attached cells were then fixed with paraformaldehyde. These preparations yielded monolayers of spherical cells of different sizes; most cells were isolated, but some of them were aggregated and formed small clusters. On the average, the cells from the one-week-old animals were smaller than the cells from the two-month-old animals. Immunocytochemical demonstration of S-antigen, a pinealocyte-specific marker, showed that the majority of the cells from two-month-old animals were intensely or moderately labelled. Pinealocytes from one-week-old animals were less S-antigen immunoreactive. Only very few cells (less than 1% displayed glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactivity. Planimetric investigations of the cell size and semiquantitative densitometric investigations of the intensity of the S-antigen immunoreaction revealed that (i) pinealocytes kept in vitro form a heterogeneous cell population, and that (ii) this heterogeneity increases during postnatal development from one-week-old to two-month-old animals. Two groups of pinealocytes can be distinguished based on their developmental fate: pinealocytes of one group grow dramatically, but show only a moderate increase in S-antigen immunoreactivity, and pinealocytes of the other group retain their size, but display a distinct increment in S-antigen immunoreacti vitv.     

Effects of pinealectomy and melatonin administration on certain indices of ovarian hyperplasia and/or hypertrophy in rats with both ovaries intact or after unilateral ovariectomy

Abstract: In earlier studies from other laboratories it was shown that melatonin decreased ovarian weight in rats and inhibited compensatory hypertrophy of the remaining ovary after unilateral ovariectomy. This study was designed to examine the influence of melatonin on certain indices of ovarian hyperplasia and/or hypertrophy in adult female rats with both ovaries preserved and with either an intact pineal gland or with the pineal gland removed (pinealectomy, PX) or, finally, in sham-PX animals. Similar studies were conducted on rats after unilateral ovariectomy, referring the examined parameters to the remaining intact ovary. The studies included mitotic activity of granulosa layer cells and corpus luteum cells, ovarian weight, ovarian cross-sectional area, cross-sectional area of the granulosa layer of all the Graafian follicles and the cross-sectional areas of the corpora lutea, visible on the ovarian cross-section. On the basis of results, we conclude that: 1) the effect of PX on the processes of ovarian hyperplasia and hypertrophy may vary; analogously, exogenous melatonin administration may influence ovarian hyperplasia and hypertrophy in different ways; 2) PX and exogenous melatonin may, under certain conditions, exert similar biological effects, even synergistic effects; 3) melatonin inhibits ovarian growth processes, while the effects of PX are variable; 4) the results indicate that in experiments performed on rats, with the use of two control groups, i.e., intact and sham-PX, melatonin effects on these two groups may differ.