Search results for "hormones"

Resveratrol as a Gene Regulator in the Vasculature

2014

Resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) possesses multiple protective properties in the vasculature, including anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects and improvement of endothelial function. A substantial part of these effects is attributable to gene expression changes induced by the compound. Resveratrol can activate the NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), leading to deacetylation of SIRT1 target molecules such as NF-kB and forkhead box O (FOXO) transcription factors. The inhibition of NF-kB by resveratrol reduces the expression of inflammation mediators. FOXO factors are implicated in the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes and the endothelial-type nitric oxide synth…

Fresh Human Orthotopic Ovarian Cortex Transplantation: Long-term Results

2006

An increasing number of young women are being diagnosed with cancer, and most cancer treatments have irreversibly negative effects on reproduction. Ovarian stimulation and preservation of oocytes or embryos is far from an ideal solution, in part because hormonal treatment may adversely affect some cancers. Another possibility is cryopreservation of ovarian tissue for later autotransplantation, but the ischemic damage caused by the procedure can lead to follicle loss. Using the ovarian medulla for orthotopic ovarian cortex transplantation might limit the risk of ischemia because the ovarian artery would assure a good blood supply. In addition, the medulla may have a role in follicular develo…

Mullarian-inhibiting substance reflects ovarian findings in women with polycystic ovary syndrome better than does inhibin-B

2005

Objective: To investigate Müllerian-inhibiting substance (MIS) levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as well as relationships to ovarian morphology, levels of inhibin B, and other reproductive hormones. Design: Prospective clinical study. Setting: Academic endocrinology centers in Palermo, Italy and New York. Patient(s): Forty-six women with PCOS, recruited on the basis of the classic criteria of chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism, and 25 age-matched ovulatory controls. Intervention(s): Fasting blood was obtained in all subjects in the early follicular phase (days 5–6) after spontaneous or induced menses (in PCOS), and transvaginal ultrasounds were performed. Main Out…

PTEN Mediates the Antioxidant Effect of Resveratrol at Nutritionally Relevant Concentrations

2014

Introduction.Antioxidant properties of resveratrol have been intensively studied for the last years, bothin vivoandin vitro. Its bioavailability after an oral dose is very low and therefore it is very important to make sure that plasma concentrations of free resveratrol are sufficient enough to be active as antioxidant.Aims.In the present study, using nutritionally relevant concentrations of resveratrol, we aim to confirm its antioxidant capacity on reducing peroxide levels and look for the molecular pathway involved in this antioxidant effect.Methods.We used mammary gland tumor cells (MCF-7), which were pretreated with different concentrations of resveratrol for 48 h, and/or a PTEN inhibit…

Effect of rat plasma high density lipoprotein with or without apolipoprotein E on the cholesterol uptake and on the induction of the corticosteroid b…

1991

Abstract High density lipoprotein (HDL) has been shown to induce the cellular accumulation of cholesterol esters and the biosynthesis of 21-hydroxysteroids (corticosteroids) newborn rat adrenocortical cells cultivated in serum-free medium. In order to identify the component(s) of HDL responsible for these effects, we investigated the ability of rat HDL subfractions and HDL with or without apolipoprotein E to deliver cholesterol to cells and to stimulate the steroid biosynthetic pathways in adrenal cultured cells. The total cholesterol uptake from HDL 2 was greater than that observed with HDL rich in apolipoprotein E (HDL 1 and HDL c ). Furthermore, the increase of the ratio between 21-hydro…

The influence of smoke volatiles on sexual maturation and juvenile hormone biosynthesis in the black army cutworm, Actebia fennica (Lepidoptera: Noct…

2000

0965-1748 (Print) Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Outbreaks of the black army cutworm, Actebia fennica, are associated with recently burned sites, where larvae feed on early successional plants. In the present paper we show that smoke volatiles stimulate juvenile hormone biosynthesis in virgin females, resulting in a more rapid rate of oocyte maturation and a significant advance in the age of first calling (the release of the sex pheromone) compared to control females. The ecological implications of this physiological effect are discussed.

PACAP induces bradycardia in guinea-pig heart by stimulation of atrial cholinergic neurones

1996

Based on previous studies which indicated that pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) acts as a positive inotropic and chronotropic substance in different species via the cAMP signal transduction pathway, the objective of the present work was to investigate cAMP-regulated myocardial key proteins in response to PACAP in isolated ventricular cells of the guinea pig. Surprisingly, the two molecular forms of PACAP, PACAP(1-27) and PACAP(1-38), showed no effect on intracellular cAMP-levels, L-type Ca2+ channel current or phosphorylation of troponin inhibitor (TnI) and phospholamban (PLB). Additionally, inotropy of isolated guinea-pig ventricular strips was not affected by the neu…

Arginine vasopressin, via activation of post-junctional V1 receptors, induces contractile effects in mouse distal colon

2013

The aim of this study was to analyze whether arginine vasopressin (AVP) may be considered a modulator of intestinal motility. In this view, we evaluated, in vitro, the effects induced by exogenous administration of AVP on the contractility of mouse distal colon, the subtype(s) of receptor(s) activated and the action mechanism. Isometric recordings were performed on longitudinal and circular muscle strips of mouse distal colon. AVP (0.001 nM-100 nM) caused concentration-dependent contractile effects only on the longitudinal muscle, antagonized by the V1 receptor antagonist, V-1880. AVP-induced effect was not modified by tetrodotoxin, atropine and indomethacin. Contractile response to AVP was…

Auto-immune haemolytic anaemia in ulcerative colitis: report of three cases.

1994

Sexual dimorphism in immune function: The role of sex steroid hormones

2018

There is evidence of the relation of sex steroid hormones and sexual dimorphism in immune system response to infectious diseases. The aim of this review was to identify the role of sex hormones in immune function and sexual dimorphism of immune reactions. Gonadal hormones together with the immune system play an important role in process of immune responses to the disease [1]. Estrogens, progesterone and testosterone have different impacts on immune cells and different gonadal hormones are of high importance for responses of innate and adaptive immunity [1, 2]. Estrogens mainly enhance immune function while testosterone has a suppressive role. Higher progesterone during pregnancy leads to au…