The pituitary-adrenal axis of fetal rats after maternal dexamethasone treatment

Elevated glucocorticoid level in the gravid female circulation affects number of endocrine functions in fetuses and offspring. In this research female rats were injected with dexamethasone (Dx) in three consecutive daily doses of 1.0, 0.5, 0.5 mg/kg body weight, starting from day 16 of pregnancy. The influence of this treatment on the pituitary adrenocorticotrophic (ACTH) cells and adrenal glands of 19-day-old fetuses was examined immunocytochemically and by morphometric analysis. Moreover, the proliferative activity of adrenocortical cells was estimated after application of the mitotic inhibitor Oncovine. Administration of Dx to pregnant rats induced a decline of fetal ACTH cell immunopositivity and significant decreases of ACTH cell volume (23%, p<0.05), volume density (41%, p<0.05), and its number per unit area (17%, p<0.05) in comparison to the control 19-day-old fetuses. Reduced proliferative activity of adrenocortical cells (31%; p<0.05) in zona glomerulosa, as well as the volume of this zone were detected. The volume and number of fetal adrenocortical cells in the inner zone and chromoblasts were not significantly reduced after Dx treatment of pregnant rats. These results show that maternal Dx administration in the period when the fetal hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (PA) axis begins its function inhibited the PA axis. Reduced ACTH cell function and mitotic activity led to suppression of adrenocortical cell multiplication in zona glomerulosa, the region of the adrenal cortex where most proliferating cells were found in control 19-day-old fetuses. Thus, increased glucocorticoid levels during late pregnancy caused developmental modifications involving the fetal PA axis, which could be the basis of the altered endocrine responsiveness in adult life.     

Exposure to dexamethasone reduces pituitary volume and gonadotropic cell number in rat fetuses

Overexposure to glucocorticoids during the fetal period induces changes in developmental processes in various fetal tissues. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone (Dx), on pituitary volume and gonadotropic cells during a critical period of pituitary development. The effects of Dx on stereological parameters of the pituitary gland and FSH and LH cells were investigated in 19 and 21-day old fetuses. On day 16 of pregnancy, the experimental dams received 1.0 mg Dx/kg b.w. subcutaneously, followed by 0.5 mg Dx/kg b.w./day on days 17 and 18 of gestation. The control gravid females received the same volume of saline. FSH and LH cells were stained immunohistochemically by the peroxidase–antiperoxidase method (PAP). In 19-day old fetuses, exposure to Dx caused a significant decrease of pituitary volume, estimated by Cavalieri's principle. Also, the total number of FSH and LH cells per pituitary, determined by physical fractionator counting technique, was significantly reduced. These changes persisted until fetal day 21. Volume densities and numerical densities of FSH and LH cells after exposure to Dx in 19 and 21-day old fetuses remained unaffected. Our results suggest that altered stereological parameters in pituitary gland after exposure to dexamethasone in fetal period could be long-lasting.     

Localization of alkaline phosphatase and proteins related to intercellular junctions in primary cultures of fetal rat hepatocytes

The localization of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and four proteins related to intercellular junctions in primary cultures of fetal rat hepatocytes was immunocytochemically investigated using fluorescence-labeled antibodies and confocal laser microscopy in order to determine whether the formation of intercellular junctions at the borders between adjacent rat hepatocytes becomes the trigger of translocation of ALP from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane. Dexamethasone (DEX) which was supplemented in the base medium promoted the translocation of ALP from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane surrounding bile canaliculus-like intercellular spaces and the appearance of connexin-32 at cell borders between adjacent fetal hepatocytes. E-cadherin, occludin and ZO-1 were localized at the cell borders between adjacent fetal hepatocytes irrespective of the presence of DEX. Occludin and ZO-1 were further localized along the plasma membrane surrounding bile canaliculus-like intercellular spaces formed by DEX. The present study indicates that the formation of adherens and tight junctions between adjacent rat hepatocytes does not become the trigger of ALP translocation from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane, although we cannot be certain of whether the formation of gap junctions between adjacent rat hepatocytes triggers ALP translocation.     

地塞米松对大鼠胸膜间皮细胞水通道蛋白1表达的调节

 目的：观察胸膜间皮细胞水通道蛋白1（AQP-1）的表达及地塞米松（Dex）对其表达的影响，为进一步研究胸水治疗的机制提供实验依据。方法:体外培养大鼠胸膜间皮细胞，细胞鉴定后，采用免疫细胞化学、RT-PCR方法检测AQP-1表达；应用Western blotting检测以不同浓度Dex（10^-8、10^-7、10^-6、10^-5、10^-4 mmol/L）处理细胞 24 h 及以10^-4 mmol/L Dex处理细胞 6 h、12 h、24 h、36 h、48 h、72 h后AQP-1表达情况。结果:发现胸膜间皮细胞存在AQP-1表达， 10^-8、10^-7、10^-6、10^-5、10^-4 mmol/ L Dex干预胸膜间皮细胞 24 h 后，AQP-1蛋白表达量(积分吸光度)分别为755.04±19.81、843.72±19.41、862.96±26.53、694.80±32.00、938.08±13.32，分别高于正常对照组（372.90±16.46） 2.02、2.26、2.31、1.86、2.52倍 (P<0.01)，AQP-1表达升高与地塞米松浓度无关；以10-4 mmol/L Dex干预细胞 6 h、12 h、24 h、36 h、48 h、72 h 后，AQP-1蛋白表达量分别为：554.14±23.57、917.78±38.62、1 587.20±61.22、1 322.09±28.65、918.40±26.62、1 117.60±51.32，分别高于正常对照组（495.91±23.12）1.12、1.85、3.20、2.67、1.85、2.25倍(P<0.01)，AQP-1表达与地塞米松作用时间有关。结论:胸膜间皮细胞存在AQP-1表达，地塞米松对胸膜间皮细胞AQP-1表达有明显的增强性调节作用，具有时间依赖性。     

Investigations into the nature of the dexamethasone and ACTH effects upon learned taste aversion

Dexamethasone injected prior to the conditioning trial will attenuate a learned taste aversion. ACTH injections will prolong the recovery from a taste aversion when administered prior to recovery trials. Two experiments are reported here. In the first, the interaction between these effects was studied. Using a factorial design, four groups of rats received dexamethasone or ACTH prior to conditioning and prior to recovery trials. An additional group received isotonic saline throughout training and recovery. The primary finding was that animals receiving dexamethasone prior to conditioning and ACTH prior to recovery trials did not differ from the group pretreated with ACTH during both conditioning and recovery. That is, given the parameters of these experiments, the ACTH effect was prepotent. In the second experiment it was shown that the ACTH effect upon the performance of a taste aversion can occur in one trial. Taken together, the results of the two experiments support the idea that ACTH influences memory retrieval when administered prior to a test for retention of an avoidance response.     

Pregnancy and dexamethasone: effects on morphometric parameters of gonadotropic cells in rats

The effects of pregnancy and multiple dexamethasone (Dx) treatment on morphometric parameters of adenohypophyseal gonadotropic cells that produce follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were investigated in female Wistar rats. The rats in the experimental group received injections of 1.0, 0.5 and 0.5mg Dx/kg b.w. on days 16-18 of pregnancy, while the control group received equal volumes of saline. There was also an age-matched adult virgin control group. The experimental and control animals were sacrificed 24 and 72h after the last injection. Using the peroxidase-anti-peroxidase immunohistochemical labeling procedure, morphometric analyses showed that cell volume and volume density of FSH and LH cells on day 19 of pregnancy, as well as the number of LH cells, were significantly decreased compared to the virgin control values. On day 21 of gestation, the volume of FSH and LH cells remained smaller than in the virgin controls. Moreover, FSH and LH cell volume was significantly decreased 24h after multiple Dx treatment in comparison with the pregnant controls. Thus, during the last days of pregnancy, the morphometric parameters of gonadotropic cells decreased in comparison with the control virgin rats, but Dx treatment of pregnant rats had an inhibitory influence on FSH and LH cell size only 24h after the last dose.     

地塞米松促胎肺成熟的两种用药方式对糖耐量异常孕产妇及围生儿的影响

目的观察地塞米松促胎肺成熟用药方式对糖耐量异常孕产妇及围生儿的影响。方法将2005年6月至2006年6月我院40例糖耐量异常的孕产妇分为A组(肌注地塞米松组)和B组(羊膜腔注射地塞米松组)。观察用药前后血糖、尿酮体和胎心监护变化,以及两组新生儿窒息、高胆红素血症的发生情况。结果孕妇肌注地塞米松后3餐后2h血糖有明显升高,尿酮体于晚餐后增多。应用地塞米松期间10例出现胎心监护改变,停药后全部恢复正常。肌注地塞米松组新生儿高胆红素血症的发生率高于羊膜腔注射地塞米松组。结论两种用药方式均可导致糖代谢紊乱,糖代谢紊乱可能对糖耐量异常孕产妇及围生儿产生不良影响,尤以肌注地塞米松组更明显,应用时必须加强监护,同时尽量避免重复用药。     

地塞米松对癫痫大鼠脑组织内IgG免疫反应阳性细胞分布的影响

目的：研究地塞米松对大鼠脑免疫反应的影响,探讨其对某些类型癫痫的治疗机理。方法：美解眠致痫及致痫前后分别给予地塞米松的大鼠用免疫细胞化学法观察ＩｇＧ免疫反应阳性（ＩｇＧＩＲ）细胞在大鼠脑组织内分布。结果：致痫前给予地塞米松大鼠脑皮层和海马ＩｇＧＩＲ细胞数比单纯致痫组减少（Ｐ＜００１,Ｐ＜００５）;致痫后给予地塞米松组大鼠,只有海马ＩｇＧＩＲ细胞数比单纯致痫组增多（Ｐ＜００１）。结论：地塞米松对脑免疫反应的调节在某些类型癫痫的治疗中可能有一定意义。     

Mophometric study of the aortic arch and its major branches in rat fetuses on the 21st day of gestation

The anatomy and embryology of the aortic arch and its branching tributaries (brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid artery and left subclavian artery) in man and animals are well substantiated. However, the anatomical variations and morphometry of the aortic arch and its branching tributaries in rat fetus at the 21st gestation day have not been studied. Pregnant rats were hysterectomized and the arterial systems of 114 fetuses were injected with a polymerisable resin through the umbilical artery. After maceration, the vascular casts were dissected out and prepared for observations under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The resulting SEM pictures were studied with a picture analyser and different vessel parameters (diameters, lengths and angles) were measured. The success rate of the microvascular cast injection was 46.5%. Out of the 53 observed aortic arch casts, 98.1% showed the classical branching pattern and one (1.9%) had no brachiocephalic trunk. Morphological analysis showed many differences, which were not linked to the litter. The statistical processing of the measurements enabled us to determine that the aorta diameter after the branching of the left subclavian artery was the most replicable parameter. Moreover, the results revealed some strong correlations between different parameters. There are probably no discrete categories among the various observed parameters as diameters and angles. Some parameters show very little variability and can thus be used as reference points for further studies such as the comparison of a control population with a population treated with a relevant xenobiotic.L. Monnereau and A. Carretero contributed equally to this work     

Effects of postnatal dexamethasone or hydrocortisone in a rat model of antenatal lipopolysaccharide and neonatal hyperoxia exposure

The aim of our study was to investigate the differential effects of dexamethasone (DXM) and hydrocortisone (HCS) on somatic growth and postnatal lung development in a rat model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). A rat model of BPD was induced by administering intra-amniotic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and postnatal hyperoxia. The rats were treated with a 6-day (D1-D6) tapering course of DXM (starting dose 0.5 mg/kg/day), HCS (starting dose 2 mg/kg/day), or an equivalent volume of normal saline. DXM treatment in a rat model of BPD induced by LPS and hyperoxia was also associated with a more profound weight loss compared to control and LPS + O(2) groups not exposed to corticosteroid, whereas HCS treatment affected body weight only slightly. Examination of lung morphology showed worse mean cord length in both LPS + O(2) + DXM and LPS + O(2) + HCS groups as compared to the LPS + O(2) alone group, and the LPS + O(2) + DXM group had thicker alveolar walls than the LPS + O(2) group at day 14. The HCS treatment was not significantly associated with aberrant alveolar wall thickening and retarded somatic growth. The use of postnatal DXM or HCS in a rat model of BPD induced by intra-amniotic LPS and postnatal hyperoxia appeared detrimental to lung growth, but there was less effect in the case of HCS. These findings suggest that effect of HCS on somatic growth and pulmonary outcome may be better tolerated in neonates for preventing and/or treating BPD.     

In vitro immunoblockade of VIP inhibits the proliferation of pituitary prolactin cells

VIP is a peptide synthesised in the pituitary gland and is involved in the stimulation of prolactin secretion. However, to date it has not been determined whether VIP is able to regulate the proliferation of pituitary prolactin-producing cells, like other factors involved in the regulation of prolactin such as estradiol or dopamine. The aim of the present study was to address whether VIP is involved in regulating the proliferation of pituitary prolactin-secreting cells. Thus, we performed an in vitro study on monolayer cultures of rat pituitary cells, neutralising the possible paracrine effect of VIP by immunoblockade of the peptide and later determining the degree of proliferation of prolactin-secreting cells. The effects of immunoblockade were validated by determining the levels of VIP in the culture media, which were decreased (P<0.01), and modifications in the patterns of the immunohistochemical reaction to prolactin-positive cells. Immunoblockade of VIP decreased the proliferation of pituitary prolactin-positive cells at all antibody concentrations analysed, mainly between 3 and 12 h (P<0.01). Moreover, immunoblockade decreased the sizes of the cellular and nuclear areas, except at 1 h, at which point it only decreased the nuclear area of prolactin-positive cells. The results obtained suggest that—in the same way as it regulates the secretion of the hormone—VIP could be involved in regulating the proliferation of prolactin cells, like estradiol or dopamine.     

Opposite effects of dexamethasone and ACTHon the adrenal cortex response to ethane dimethanesulphonate (EDS)

Recently we have reported that ethane dimethane-sulphonate (EDS), the Leydig cell cytotoxin, caused marked atrophy of the adrenal cortex of adult male rats. The aim of this work was to examine whether a 9-day treatment with dexamethasone (0.25 mg/kg/d) or ACTH (40 IU/kg/d), which started 4 days prior to administration of a single dose of EDS (75 mg/kg), influenced the response of the inner adrenocortical zones to the toxin. On day 15 after administration of EDS, adrenal weight was significantly decreased in saline treated rats, but glandular and serum corticosterone levels were not altered. In dexamethasone-suppressed rats, the effect of EDS was augmented; an additional decrease in adrenal weight was accompanied by reduced adrenal and serum corticosterone levels. In ACTH-treated animals EDS was ineffective. These results demonstrate that the deleterious effects of EDS on rat adrenal cortex can be prevented by ACTH and potentiated by dexamethasone.     

颈项透明层增厚胎儿的临床结局分析

目的 研究颈项透明层(NT)增厚胎儿的临床结局,探讨超声测量NT厚度在评估胎儿预后中的临床价值.方法 对11～13+6周,头臀径为45～84 mm的4081例胎儿常规进行NT的测量,NT≥2.5 mm视为增厚,随访观察NT增厚胎儿的临床结局.将NT厚度分为4组(A组:2.5～3.4mm,B组:3.5～4.4mm,C组:4.5～5.4mm及D组:5.5～6.4mm),不同NT厚度胎儿的临床结局的比较采用Ridit分析,并应用等级相关分析NT增厚与胎儿健康存活率的相关性.结果 超声共检出58例NT增厚胎儿,其中6例NT≥6.5 mm,均于早孕期行人工流产终止妊娠,余52例NT＜6.5 mn,其中4例染色体异常,10例染色体正常但合并畸形或遗传综合征,1例中孕早期停止发育,33例至出生未见异常,4例失访.不同NT厚度胎儿的临床结局差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),随NT增厚程度的增加,胎儿健康存活率呈降低的趋势[A组:81.8%(27/33),B组:62.5%(5/8),C组:25%(1/4),D组:0%(0/3),r=-0.993,P＜0.05].结论 超声测量NT厚度对于临床早期评价胎儿的预后有重要参考价值.     

孕、产妇血清和胎儿脐带血血清骨钙素水平的动态变化

目的　为阐明孕妇和胎儿骨钙素 (osteoblastic)代谢规律 ,对各孕周期妇女外周血和胎儿脐带血骨钙素水平的动态变化进行研究。方法　采用荧光酶联免疫法对 14 2例孕妇、2 2例产妇及 34例不同孕龄胎儿的脐带血骨钙素水平进行检测。结果孕妇血清骨钙素随妊娠发展逐渐下降 ,至孕中期最低 (3.3± 1.4 6 ) μg/L ,随后又逐渐升高。分娩即刻产妇血清骨钙素 (12 .81± 4 .2 8) μg/L显著高于妊娠各阶段的水平 (P <0 .0 1) ,产后数日即显著下降至接近妊娠前的基线水平。脐带血骨钙素水平在孕中期最低 (0 .88± 0 .39) μg/L ,随后则升高 ,并且自孕 2 4w起保持于接近母体血清骨钙素水平。结论这段妊娠期是胎儿骨钙积累活跃的阶段 ,这种恒定的骨钙素水平对胎儿骨骼系统的正常发育 ,可能具有重要意义     

Endothelin-1 localization in bone cells and vascular endothelial cells in rat bone marrow

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) localization in bone cells and associated vascular endothelial cells in metaphyseal bone marrow of the rat femur was examined by a biotin-streptoavidin-horseradish peroxidase method in paraffin sections and by indirect immunogold techniques in post-embedded ultrathin sections. Mouse anti-ET-1 monoclonal antibody was used as the primary antibody. In metaphyseal bone marrow, intense immunostaining was observed over osteoclasts, osteoblasts, young osteocytes, and vascular endothelial cells. But bone and cartilage matrices and chondrocytes in the proliferating zone were negative for immunoreaction. At the subcellular level, specific immunogold labeling was localized along plasma membranes and in the cytoplasm including those of ruffled borders and clear zones of osteoclasts. Some colloidal gold particles were also detectable within pale vacuoles of osteoclasts. Immunoreactivity was also found along the plasma membranes, cisterns of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and cytoplasmic matrices of osteoblasts, but was less intense than that of osteoclasts. In endothelial cells of blood capillaries in close proximity to bone cells, intense immunolabeling occurred over the cytoplasm. None of the cases examined showed accumulation of immunogold particles in the secretion granules of these cells. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Colony-forming cells in rat myocardium after destructive exposure and intramyocardial transplantation of bone marrow cells

The content of colony-forming cells in myocardial cell culture from the perinecrotic zone of rat heart was evaluated on day 40 after cryodestruction. The mean cellularity after cryodestruction was 12-fold lower than in intact animals. Intramyocardial transplantation of bone marrow cells (mononuclears, mesenchymal stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells treated with 5-azacitidine) into the perinecrotic zone increased the content of colony-forming cells. After transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells treated with 5-azacitidine, the number of colonies reached 33±7 and 11±3, the mean cellularity being 2975±80 and 1105±42 cells/cm², respectively. Hence, intramyocardial transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells created an appreciable pool of colony-forming cells in the myocardial perinecrotic zone. Treatment with 5-azacitidine reduced survival of mesenchymal stem cells after intramyocardial transplantation. __________ Translated from Kletochnye Tehnologii v Biologii i Meditsine, No. 1, pp. 29–33, January, 2007     

GABA-immunoreactive cells in the rat gastrointestinal epithelium

Summary Frozen sections of the corpus ventriculi, antrum pyloricum, duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon from animals perfusion fixed with glutaraldehyde were treated with an antiserum specific for glutaraldehyde-fixed GABA and processed by the peroxidase antiperoxidase method. Semithin plastic sections from the antrum pyloricum were treated similarly. Stained cells appeared in the epithelium of all segments examined except the corpus ventriculi. The highest density of cells was observed along the major curvature of the antrum pyloricum. Here they were located in the bottom half of the gastric glands. Many of the cells showed a process extending towards the glandular lumen. No significant staining in the epithelium appeared when the antiserum was preincubated with glutaraldehyde-GABA complexes, nor when the anti-GABA serum was exchanged with anti-glycine or preimmune serum. The present findings and previous physiological data suggest that GABA may play a role in gut endocrine regulation.     

Heat shock protein 60 from Klebsiella pneumoniae protects mononuclear cells from apoptotic cell death induced by dexamethasone

Aims

Bacterial heat shock proteins can have anti-apoptotic effects on human cells. We investigated whether enterobacterial HSP60 can protect peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from DXM-induced apoptosis and if this effect requires cytoskeleton participation.

Main methods

Anti-apoptotic effect from enterobacterial HSP60 was analyzed by adding these proteins to peripheral mononuclear cells cultures before DXM induction. Percentage of apoptotic cells was determined by SubG0 peak and TUNEL techniques in a flow cytometer.

Key findings

Our results showed significant protective effect of HSP60 Klebsiella pneumoniae and E. coli, in the DXM-induced apoptosis in PBMC. Similar results were obtained with recombinant human HSP60. The same protective effect of proteins was observed in CD4+ and CD8 + T cell subpopulations. To analyze if enterobacterial HSP60 need internalization to have the anti-apoptotic effect, we used cytoskeleton inhibitors such as: nocodazole, cytochalasin D and amiloride, the three inhibitors significantly affected the protective role of HSP60 in apoptosis induced with DXM. Results suggest that the protective effect of HSP60 K. pneumoniae and E. coli requires the participation of contractile structures for the internalization of this protein by the cells, we suggest that the internalization of enterobacterial HSP60 could be carry out by macropinocytosis.

Significance

We report for the first time that K. pneumoniae and E. coli HSP60 have protective effect in the apoptosis induced with DXM in PBMC from healthy subjects and that this effect requires the internalization of the protein with active participation of the cytoskeleton.     

Menkes protein localization in rat parotid acinar cells

The aim was to study the subcellular localization of the Menkes protein (MNK; ATP7A) in the rat parotid acinar cell. MNK protein is a copper transporting P-type ATPase whose absence or dysfunction causes a fatal neurodegenerative disorder, MNK disease. Rat parotid glands were fixed and low-temperature embedded in Lowicryl K4M resin, and ultrathin sections were prepared for immunocytochemical analysis. Immunolocalization of MNK was demonstrated mainly over the trans Golgi network (TGN) area. Immature and mature secretory granules were also labelled, indicating that MNK protein could be involved here in copper secretion from acinar cells into saliva, consistent with a proposed cariostatic role for copper.