Distribution of alpha3, alpha5 and alpha(v) integrin subunits in mature and immature human oocytes

The distribution of three integrin subunits, alpha3, alpha5 and alpha(v), in immature and mature human oocytes has been examined using immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy. The results demonstrate that both alpha5 and alpha(v) are present at the germinal vesicle stage, while alpha3 was only detected in oocytes after germinal vesicle breakdown, in metaphase I and II stage oocytes. The cortical concentration of integrin subunits alpha3 and alpha5 is consistent with their localization in the oolemma. In contrast, the homogeneous distribution of alpha(v) throughout the oocyte suggests the existence of cytoplasmic reservoirs of this protein in the oocyte.      

Sum of Cycloartane Glycosides from Tragacantha stipulosa: Chemical Composition and Effect on Cholepoietic Processes in Experimental Animals

Pharmaceutical Chemistry Journal -     

Infection and atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammation and the cause of most cardiovascular diseases. It is the main cause of death in the Western world today, even though growing incidence of atherosclerosis-related diseases has been recently observed in developing countries, too. In many patients with atherosclerosis, however, traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis are not identifiable. This has renewed the interest, in recent years, in the links between atherosclerosis and environmental exposures, including infectious agents. Infection was identified as as risk factor for atherosclerosis in the first half of the 20th century. Experimental and clinical studies have shown that infection can stimulate atherogenic processes and that there are significant interactions between infection and traditional risk factors. Yet there are questions concerning etiology, pathogenesis and appropriate interventions which remain unanswered. The following article provides an overview of the role of the infectious agents in atherosclerosis and discusses possible intervention strategies.     

Hypoglycemic activity of bicyclic diterpenoids of the clerodane series as compared to adebit and maninil]

Biocyclic diterpenoids--salvin, salvicin and salvifolin, administered per os to rats at a dose of 50 mg/kg show marked hypoglycemic activity in intact animals as well as in animals with experimental hyperglycemia developing against a background of GTT (3000 mg/kg intraperitoneally) or alloxan (150 mg/kg subcutaneously). They are superior to adebit but inferior to maninil. Prophylactic and therapeutic administration of these compounds ensure the preservation of islet beta-cells in animals with alloxan diabetes.     

The effect of galbanic acid on the course of experimental hepatitis

Administration of galbanic acid isolated from the roots of Ferula kopetdaghensis Eug. Kor. to rats orally in a dose of 50 mg/kg was found to improve the course of toxic hepatitis induced by fourfold subcutaneous injections of a 50% oil solution of CCl4. Galbanic acid produced much more earlier than in control normalization of the activity of the enzymes alanine- and aspartataminotransferase in blood serum, increased glycogen content and improved the parameters of the redox potential of lactic acid-pyruvic acid system in the liver. Galbanic acid exerted the antioxidant effect. In the animals with a developed hepatitis receiving galbanic acid there was a more rapid restoration of intensity of bile secretion, synthesis of bile acids and bilirubin, cholesterol excretion as compared with control.     

Monooxygenase System and NO Metabolism in Liver Microsomes of Rats with Toxic Hepatitis and the Effect of Sesquiterpene Lactones

Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine - We analyzed changes in activities of enzymes of phases I and II of xenobiotic biotransformation and parameters of NO metabolism in liver microsomes...