Expression of 11beta-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase 2 in Sertoli cells of boar testes

11beta-Hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase 2 (11beta-HSD2) activity occurs in boar testes but it is not known which cell types express 11beta-HSD2 mRNA and protein. Therefore, testes samples were taken from mature boars. For immunocytochemistry and Western blot pig-specific antibodies were raised against a 10-amino acid peptide corresponding to amino acids 391-400 of the coding sequence. Quantitative PCR was performed in testis homogenates and additionally RT-PCR in samples collected by UV-single cell microdissection. Data show that in interstitial tissue 11beta-HSD2 is expressed in Leydig cells and additionally in blood capillaries. In tubuli, 11beta-HSD2 primarily is formed in Sertoli cells whereas occurrence in spermatogonia could not be definitely proven. Because glucocorticoid receptors were never found in boar Leydig cells, it is concluded that the expression of 11beta-HSD2 in several types of cells forms consecutive lines of defense to protect spermatogonia against glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis.     

Comparative assessment of arabin pessary,cervical cerclage and medical management for preterm birth prevention in high-risk pregnancies

Objective: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of combined use of Arabin pessary, cervical cerclage and progesterone with progesterone-only management of pregnant women at high risk of preterm birth.

Materials and methods: The study included 203 pregnant women at high risk of preterm birth who were randomised to receive Arabin pessary (Group 1, n?=?82) and progesterone, circular cervical cerclage and progesterone (Group 2, n?=?121) or progesterone treatment only (Group3, controls, n?=?50). Patients in the pessary and cerclage group also received progesterone.

Results: The use of Arabin pessary combined with progesterone resulted in a 2.5-fold decrease in the rate of vaginal dysbiosis in pregnancy (p?=?0.015) and almost three-fold reduction in in the postpartum period (p?=?0.037), combined with circular cervical cerclage and progesterone. Suture eruption was observed in 4.3% of women. In patients with abnormal placental location, placental migration was observed in 62.1% of patients in Group I, 52.1% in Group II and a significantly lower proportion of patients (14.0%) in Group III (p?=?0.001). Bleeding during pregnancy was observed significantly more often in both comparison groups (p?=?0.005). Incidence of intrapartum bleeding was 17.4% (p?=?0.011) in Group II and 24.5% in Group III (p?=?0.002). Intrapartum chorioamnionitis was observed in 4.3% of patients in Group II and 2.04% of patients in Group III.

Conclusions: The use of Arabin pessary compbined with progesterone reduces the rate of infectious complications and bleeding during pregnancy and the postpartum period.     

Characterization of thromboxane A2 receptor and TRPV1 mRNA expression in cultured sensory neurons

Thromboxane A₂ (TxA₂) is an arachidonic acid metabolite that stimulates platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction when released from platelets and other cell types during tissue trauma. More recent research has demonstrated that TxA₂ can also stimulate vagal and spinal sensory nerves. The purpose of this study was twofold. One, we compared the expression of the TxA₂ receptor (TxA2R) in neurons from two sensory ganglia: the nodose ganglion (NG) containing cell bodies of vagal afferent nerves and the thoracic dorsal root ganglion (DRG) containing cell bodies of spinal afferent nerves. Two, we determined if TxA2R co-localizes with mRNA for the nociceptive marker, TRPV1, which is the receptor for the noxious substance capsaicin. We found a greater percentage of neurons in the NG that are positive for TxA2R expression than in the DRG. We also found that there was no correlation of expression of TxA2R with TRPV1. These data suggest that while TxA2R is expressed in both vagal and spinal neurons, TxA₂ may elicit stronger vagal or parasympathetic reflexes in the rabbit when released during tissue trauma depending on the location of release. Our data also indicate that TxA₂ is likely to stimulate both nociceptive and non-nociceptive neurons thereby broadening the types of neurons and reflexes that it may excite.