Search results for "SECR"

Effects of Mancozeb and Metribuzin on in vitro proliferative responses and oxidative stress of human and rat spleen lymphocytes stimulated by mitogens

2011

Pesticides have been shown to possess marked immunotropic activity. The aim of this work was to study the in vitro effects of different concentrations (1-100 µM) of Mancozeb (fungicide) and Metribuzin (herbicide), on the proliferative responses of human and rat spleen lymphocytes stimulated by concanavalin A (ConA, mitogen), the Th1- (IL-2, INFγ) and Th2- (IL-4) cytokine secretion and on the intracellular oxidative status. The results showed that Mancozeb significantly reduced ConA lymphocyte proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in both humans and rats. It also decreased IL-2, INFγ and IL-4 secretion with a a shift away to Th1 phenotype. Metribuzin at low concentrations (1-10 µM) result…

A double-blind, randomized, dose response study testing the pharmacological efficacy of synthetic porcine secretin

2000

Background: Biologically derived porcine secretin has been used as a diagnostic agent in clinical gastrointestinal practice for many years. Pure synthetic porcine secretin is now available for investigational clinical use. Aim: To compare the pharmacology of synthetic porcine secretin and biologically derived porcine secretin in healthy volunteers. Methods: Secretin stimulation tests were performed in 12 volunteer subjects in a double-blind, randomized, Latin square crossover design study comparing three doses of synthetic porcine secretin (0.05, 0.2, and 0.4 μg/kg) with a standard dose of biologically derived porcine secretin (1 CU/kg). Duodenal aspirates were analysed for total volume and…

2015

Cells secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) by default and in response to diverse stimuli for the purpose of cell communication and tissue homeostasis. EVs are present in all body fluids including peripheral blood, and their appearance correlates with specific physiological and pathological conditions. Here, we show that physical activity is associated with the release of nano-sized EVs into the circulation. Healthy individuals were subjected to an incremental exercise protocol of cycling or running until exhaustion, and EVs were isolated from blood plasma samples taken before, immediately after and 90 min after exercise. Small EVs with the size of 100–130 nm, that carried proteins character…

Gastrin: an acid-releasing, proliferative and immunomodulatory peptide?

2010

Gastrin release is affected by gastric inflammatory conditions. Antral G cells respond to inflammatory mediators by increasing gastrin secretion. Accumulating experimental evidence suggests that gastrin exerts immunomodulatory and proinflammatory effects. Gastrin could be a contributing factor to these pathologies, which may constitute a new justification for pharmacological blockade of gastrin action.

Leptin and Leptin Receptor Are Expressed in the Human Endometrium and Endometrial Leptin Secretion Is Regulated by the Human Blastocyst1

2000

Embryonic implantation is a crucial event for the human reproductive function. Cytokines and paracrine molecules have been proposed as putative local regulators of this process. The leptin or the OB protein has been linked to the reproductive function and inflammatory response. In the present study, we describe for the first time the expression of leptin and leptin receptor (long form) in the secretory endometrium and that endometrial leptin secretion is regulated in vitro by the human blastocyst. Leptin and leptin receptor messenger RNA and protein were identified in secretory endometrium and in cultured endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) by RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry.…

Incretin-Based Therapies, Glucometabolic Health and Endovascular Inflammation

2013

Incretin peptides are a group of gastrointestinal hormones that play a prominent role in the regulation of glucose metabolism. Incretin-based therapies (IBTs) have recently emerged as an important treatment option for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). These pharmaceutical agents may be specially well suited for patients who are overweight or obese with primarily post-meal glucose peaks, and in whom traditional first-line oral agents have failed to maintain adequate glycemic control. There are 2 classes of IBTs: the dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors and the glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists. The ultimate effect of both types of agents is to augment GLP-1 …

Refractory Death Rattle: Deep Aspiration Facilitates the Effects of Antisecretory Agents

2011

Anticholinergic drugs, including atropine, hyoscine butylbromide, and scopolamine, have been shown to be equally effective in the treatment of death rattle. However, anticholinergic drugs may only be effective in reducing the production of further secretions, rather than eliminating the existing ones. A case is described in which a preventive procedure was undertaken to carefully eliminate secretions before starting anticholinergic drugs. Airway aspiration under light anesthesia removed secretions before starting anticholinergic drugs. Low doses of propofol were given intravenously to make a laryngoscopy feasible, allowing the complete aspiration of large amounts of tracheal secretions. No …

Effect of propylene glycol on pre- and post-partum performance by dairy ewes

2005

This study was carried out in order to determine the effects, after feeding propylene glycol to Valle del Belice ewes 30 days prepartum and 30 days postpartum, on metabolic profiles, body-condition score, milk yield, milk composition, milk clotting ability and the performance of suckling lambs. Ewes were blocked by parity, body-condition score and previous milk production, and assigned randomly to either a control diet or a diet containing propylene glycol fed at the rate of 80 g/ewe/day (low PG) or 160 g/ewe/day (high PG). Feeding propylene glycol prepartum decreased the concentration of BHBA and NEFA and increased the concentration of glucose in the ewes’ plasma. Milk yield from ewes fed …

The pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease derive from compensatory responses to NMDA receptor insufficiency

2018

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease is characterized by intracellular aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau protein and extracellular plaques of amyloid β peptide, a product of APP processing. The origin of these pathological hallmarks has remained elusive. Here, we have tested the idea that both alterations, at the onset of the disease, may constitute compensatory responses to the same causative and initial trigger, namely NMDA receptor insufficiency. Treatment of rat cortical neurons with the specific NMDA receptor antagonist AP5 within 4 h caused a significant increase in tau phosphorylation at the AT8 and S404 epitopes as well as an increase in APP expression and Aβ 40 secretion. Single intrape…

Significance of I313V mutation of NLPR3 gene in two pediatric patients

2011

Results Both case #1 (M.T) and #2 (V.C) displayed a mild clinical phenotype (episodes of urticarial rash and arthralgia associated with elevation of acute phase reactants), compatible with FCAS and Muckle-Wells syndrome, respectively. Both patients displayed good response to NSAID and/or steroid on demand. Compared to HD controls, patients displayed enhanced and delayed IL1b secretion. This was accompanied by higher levels of lL1Ra and IL-6 without any significant differences in IL-8. Interestingly, parents carrying the mutation also displayed higher levels of secreted IL-1b compared to HD control group. Conclusion The I313V mutation is associated with a mild CAPS phenotype and with an incr…