Cultured human granulosa cells as a model for corpus luteum function: relative roles of gonadotrophin and low density lipoprotein studied under defined culture conditions.

In primates, corpus luteum development involves both gonadotrophin stimulation and exposure to low density lipoprotein (LDL) delivered through vascularization of the granulosa cell-derived layer. These regulatory influences were modelled in vitro using granulosa cells obtained during in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles controlled with gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue, human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) and human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG). Granulosa cells were cultured in defined medium on extracellular matrix. Without gonadotrophin or LDL in the medium, progesterone production declined progressively. With LDL alone, there was a short-lived elevation of progesterone output which subsequently declined. Culture with HCG alone resulted in a relatively unchanged rate of steroid production over 5 days despite morphological development. This contrasted with a marked and sustained increase in progesterone output over the same time when granulosa cells were cultured with combined HCG/LDL. Cultures were challenged with combined HCG/LDL on day 5. Where initial incubation included HCG, the challenge resulted in a recovery of progesterone output to values comparable to those of granulosa cells exposed to continuous HCG/LDL. Initial incubation without gonadotrophin led to a reduced response. Results suggest that LDL delivery to granulosa cells of the early corpus luteum causes a short-lived period of progesterone production. Sustained luteinization of granulosa cells and maintenance of gonadotrophin responsiveness requires continued exposure to gonadotrophin in the luteal phase.     

Cluster headache: phospholipid metabolism in polymorphonuclear cells

Our group has previously reported significant changes in the incorporation of precursors into glycerophospholipids, particularly phosphatidylserine, in polymorphonuclear cells obtained from the peripheral blood of cluster headache patients, when compared with controls. The potential of these results led to further work using both the previous methodology and a modified isolation technique to obtain polymorphonuclear cells in as pure a state as possible. Neither the new results obtained using the original technique, nor the results with high purity polymorphonuclear cells from controls and cluster headache patients, confirm the marked changes in precursor uptake into glycerophospholipids originally reported.     

hCG/ATP-induced Leydig cell calcium channel reaction at different extracellular calcium ion concentration

Objective: To study the calcium channel reaction of human Leydig cells induced by hCG/ATP at different extracellular calcium ion concentrations. Methods: The Leydig cell calcium ion concentration was examined with laser confocal microscope, when the cells were stimulated with hCG/ATP at different extracellular calcium contrations. Results: With calcium-containing extracellular fluid, the Leydig cells were sensitive to hCG stimulation and when the extracellular fluid was calcium-free, the Leydig cells did not respond to the stimulation. However, the Leydig cells did respond to ATP stimulation no matter the extracellular fluid contained calcium or not. Conclusion: In human Leydig cells, there are calcium channels sensitive to hCG and ATP. The extracellular calcium ion concentration plays an important role in the regulation of Leydig cell metabolism by hCG/ATP.     

异丙酚对MPTP损伤的小鼠黑质多巴胺神经元的保护作用

目的　观察异丙酚对 1 甲基 4 苯基 1,2 ,3 ,6 四氢吡啶 (1 methyl 4 phenyl 1,2 ,3 ,6 tetrahydropyridineMPTP)损伤的小鼠纹状体多巴胺神经元的影响以及可能的作用机制。方法　给予Propofol 10 0mg/ (kg·d)后注射MPTP 2 0mg/ (kg·d) ,用药 6d。 12d后分离纹状体应用高效液相 -电化学方法检测纹状体多巴胺、二羟基苯乙酸及高香草酸的含量水平 ,应用12 5I- β-CIT放射性配基和免疫组化的方法检测多巴胺转运蛋白的活性和黑质神经元的损伤情况。结果　异丙酚可增加MPTP模型鼠多巴胺及其代谢产物的含量 ,异丙酚处理组DA ,DOPAC ,HVA的含量分别为 (8.2 417± 1.692 ) μg/ g、(1.3 81± 0 .486) μg/g和 (1.63 3 9± 0 .5 73 ) μg/ g ,与MPTP损伤组比较 ,明显增加。异丙酚亦可抑制黑质酪氨酸羟化酶 (TH)阳性神经元的减少。MPTP组注射MPTP 6d后 ,纹状体DAT为 (5 .3 13± 0 .64 2 )与正常组 (6.992± 0 .5 48) μg/ g比较显著下降 (P <0 .0 1) ,P +M组纹状体DAT为 (6.5 65± 0 .40 5 ) ,明显高于MPTP组 (P <0 .0 1) ,即减轻纹状体内多巴胺转运蛋白密度下降。结论　异丙酚对MPTP损伤的DA神经元具有一定的保护作用 ,其保护作用可能与抑制多巴胺转运蛋白活性有关     

精神分裂症服用氯氮平能降低其甲状腺素水平的对照分析

目的探索氯氮平治疗是否影响T3、T4和TSH水平.方法对17例精神分裂症患者,给予氯氮平治疗第4天和第4周末分别测定T3、T4和TSH水平.结果治疗第4周末的T3(3.309±0.689)、T4(9.449±1.941)水平比第4天的T3(3.915±0.850)、T4(11.178±2.180)水平明显降低(P均＜0.05).结论氯氮平治疗能降低甲状腺素水平.     

S-nitrosoglutathione-containing hydrogel accelerates rat cutaneous wound repair

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) plays a key role in wound repair and S-nitrosothiols like S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) are well known NO donors. METHODS: Animals were separated in two groups and submitted to excisional wounds on the dorsal surface at the first day. GSNO (100 microm)-containing hydrogels were topically applied on the wound bed in the GSNO group, daily, during the first 4 days. Control group was topically treated with hydrogel without GSNO for the same period. Wound contraction and re-epithelialization were measured. Animals were sacrificed 21 days after wounding. Samples of lesion and normal tissue were formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded for histological analysis. RESULTS: Wound contraction, measured 14 and 21 days after wounding, was greater in the GSNO group than in the control group (P<0.05 for both). The re-epithelialized wound area, measured 14 days after wounding, was higher in the GSNO group than in the control group (P<0.05). A higher amount of inflammatory cells was observed in superficial and deep areas of the granulation tissue of the control group compared to the GSNO group. Twenty-one days after wounding, thin red-yellow collagen fibers arranged perpendicularly to the surface were found in the granulation tissue of the control group, whereas in the GSNO-treated group collagen fibers were thicker and arranged parallel to the surface. Increased number of mast cells was observed in the GSNO group compared with that in the control group. Vascularization and myofibroblast distribution were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION: Topical application of GSNO-containing hydrogel during the early phases of rat cutaneous wound repair accelerates wound closure and re-epithelialization and affects granulation tissue organization.     

Probiotic-induced suppression of allergic sensitization and airway inflammation is associated with an increase of T regulatory-dependent mechanisms in a murine model of asthma

BACKGROUND: Microbial intestinal colonization in early in life is regarded to play a major role for the maturation of the immune system. Application of non-pathogenic probiotic bacteria during early infancy might protect from allergic disorders but underlying mechanisms have not been analysed so far. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the current study was to investigate the immune effects of oral application of probiotic bacteria on allergen-induced sensitization and development of airway inflammation and airway hyper-reactivity, cardinal features of bronchial asthma. METHODS: Newborn Balb/c mice received orally 10(9) CFU every second day either Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG or Bifidobacterium lactis (Bb-12) starting from birth for consecutive 8 weeks, during systemic sensitization (six intraperitoneal injections, days 29-40) and airway challenge (days 54-56) with ovalbumin. RESULTS: The administration of either Bb-12 or LGG suppressed all aspects of the asthmatic phenotype: airway reactivity, antigen-specific immunoglobulin E production and pulmonary eosinophilia (mean: 137 vs. 17 and 13 cellsx10(3)/mL, respectively). Antigen-specific recall proliferation by spleen cells and T-helper type 2 cytokine production (IL-4, IL-5 and IL-10) by mesenteric lymph node cells also showed significant reduction, while TGF production remained unchanged. Oral LGG administration particularly suppressed allergen-induced proliferative responses and was associated with an increase in numbers of TGF-beta-secreting CD4+/CD3+ T cells in mesenteric lymph nodes (6.5, 16.7%) as well as nearly 2-fold up-regulation of Foxp3-expressing cells in peribronchial lymph nodes. CONCLUSIONS: Neonatal application of probiotic bacteria inhibits subsequent allergic sensitization and airway disease in a murine model of asthma by induction of T regulatory cells associated with increased TGF-beta production.     

Pharmacokinetics of peptide T in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

1. The pharmacokinetics of Dalal-peptide T-NH2 (peptide T) was determined during phase I clinical trials in patients with acquired immunodeficiecy disease (AIDS) and AIDS related complex (ARC). Drug levels were determined by specific RIA, and in some cases with HPLC analysis, after intraveneous (i.v.) or intranasal (i.n.), via metered sprayer, administration.

2. The plasma kinetics appeared to be bi-phasic with a first compartment half-life of 30 to 60 minutes and a second plasma clearence rate of 4 to 6 hours, observed for both routes of administration. Peptide T, in one individual was confirmed to be present at 6 hrs in plasma, determined after HPLC isolation followed by specific RIA.

3. Bioavailabilty, determined for a 2 mg test dose in six individuals was 9.3 ± 6.9 nmol/L. Peak plasma levels of 41 ± 30 nmol/L after 10 mg i.n., 2.8 ± 5.9 nmol/L after 2mg i.n., and 0.13 ± 0.07 nmol/L after 0.4 mg i.n. were observed. In two individuals tested, peptide T was detected in CSF at levels 20% of the corresponding plasma level 90 and 145 minutes post i.v. administration. Peptide T was not detected in urine. I.N. administration was well tolerated for times up to 21 months.     

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus antibody in an area endemic for hepatitis B virus and human T cell leukaemia virus

To clarify the prevalence of concurrent infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human T cell leukaemia virus (HTLV), we measured HCV antibody in the population of a district endemic for HBV and HTLV infection. Blood samples were collected in June 1990 from 579 inhabitants of four islands of Uwa Bay in the southwest of Ehime Prefecture in Japan. Anti-HCV antibody against C100-3 protein was detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (Ortho Diagnostics). Thirteen of the 579 inhabitants (2.2%) were positive for anti-HCV, and this prevalence rate was not significantly different from the frequency of anti-HCV in Tokyo blood donors. A total of 11% (64 of 579) of the subjects were positive for HBsAg and 3.3% (19 of 579) were positive for anti-HTLV. These frequencies of HBsAg and anti-HTLV positivity were distinctly higher than the respective means of Japanese. All anti-HCV positive individuals were negative for HBsAg and anti-HTLV, while 54% (7 of 13) had increased alanine aminotransferase levels. These data suggest that the prevalence of HCV infection is not high even in an area endemic for HBV and HTLV infection.