bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selective modification of insulin action in adipose tissue by hyperthyroidism
Authors: Fryer LG , Holness MJ , Sugden MC
Published: December 2004

Adipose-tissue lipolysis (assessed from glycerol release) and glucose uptake were examined in parametrial and mesenteric adipocytes prepared from control or hyperthyroid rats in relation to changes in insulin sensitivity. Basal rates of lipolysis did not differ significantly between adipose-tissue depots. Lipolysis was maximally stimulated by noradrenaline at 1 microM, half-maximal anti-lipolytic effects of insulin were observed at approximately 11 microU/ ml insulin, and half-maximal stimulation of glucose uptake was observed at approximately 16 microU/ml insulin in adipocytes from both depots. Wortmannin caused a dose-dependent inhibition of the anti-lipolytic effect of insulin (150 microU/ml) on noradrenaline-stimulated lipolysis. Half-maximal effects of wortmannin were observed at 20-40 nM. The p70S6K inhibitor rapamycin and the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase inhibitor PD098059 had no effects on noradrenaline-stimulated lipolysis. Hyperthyroidism increased basal rates of lipolysis and the maximal response of lipolysis to noradrenaline stimulation (3.1-fold, P < 0.001 and 2.1-fold, P < 0.05 respectively) in parametrial adipocytes. Hyperthyroidism markedly blunted the sensitivity of noradrenaline-stimulated lipolysis to half-maximal suppression by insulin in both parametrial and mesenteric adipocyte depots, and noradrenaline-stimulated lipolysis at a maximal insulin concentration remained significantly higher in adipocytes prepared from hyperthyroid rats compared with controls. Hyperthyroidism had no effect on basal and little effect on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. Tri-iodothyronine administered at a low dose selectively influenced the anti-lipolytic action of insulin in parametrial adipocytes, and led to significantly less marked elevation in plasma non-esterified fatty acid concentrations in vivo. The results demonstrate a selective effect of hyperthyroidism to impair insulin's anti-lipolytic action, and are consistent with the operation of different downstream signalling mechanisms for the effects of insulin on adipocyte glucose transport and lipolysis.
Growth inhibitory response to activin A and B by human prostate tumour cell lines, LNCaP and DU145
Authors: McPherson SJ , Thomas TZ , Wang H , Gurusinghe CJ , Risbridger GP
Published: December 2004

Activins are growth and differentiation factors which have been shown to have proliferative and antiproliferative actions in many tissues. In addition, they have been implicated in tumourigenesis in reproductive tissues. Although activin and inhibin are present in rat ventral prostate, inhibin beta, but not alpha, subunit proteins have been detected in the human prostate epithelial tumour cell lines LNCaP, DU145 and PC3. With this absence of capacity to produce inhibins, the aims of this study were to determine the effect of activin A and B and follistatin on DNA synthesis by these human prostate tumour cell lines. The results demonstrate a differential response to exogenously added activin A and B on DNA synthesis in vitro by the tumour cell lines. The inhibitory effects were observed on LNCaP cells in the absence or presence of stimulation with 1 nM 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and on the androgen-independent DU145 cells, but not the PC3 cells. Activin A caused a dose-dependent inhibition of DNA synthesis and proliferation by LNCaP and androgen-independent DU145 cells which was maximal at 8 ng/ml. The effect of exogenously added activin A was completely reversed by follistatin, but not by inhibin A. The addition of human recombinant FS 288 alone (400 ng/ml) did not have any effect on DNA synthesis, whereas inhibin A alone (400 ng/ml) caused a significant inhibition of DNA synthesis. The capacity of all three cell lines to produce activins and follistatins was demonstrated by the expression of the mRNAs and confirmed by the localisation of immunoreactivity for these ligands to the cytoplasm of the tumour cells. The growth inhibitory response to activins A and B by LNCaP and DU145 cells, and the ability of follistatin to block these effects, suggest that the autocrine interactions between activins and follistatins have a role in the regulation of LNCaP and DU145 prostate tumour cell growth.
Expression of oestrogen receptor beta (ER beta) in multiple rat tissues visualised by immunohistochemistry
Authors: Saunders PT , Maguire SM , Gaughan J , Millar MR
Published: December 2004

Steroid hormones regulate cell function via specific receptors, members of a super family of ligand activated transcription factors, expressed in their target tissues. A second oestrogen receptor (ER beta) has recently been shown by RT-PCR to have a wide tissue distribution distinct from that of oestrogen receptor alpha (ER alpha). We have raised a polyclonal antiserum using a peptide specific for ER beta in order to determine the cellular sites of expression of the receptor. In the adult rat ER beta was localised to cell nuclei in a wide range of tissues including ovary, oviduct, uterus, lung, adrenal, seminal vesicle, bladder, heart, prostate and testis. In the ovary ER beta was present in multiple cell types including granulosa cells in small, medium and large follicles, theca and corpora lutea whereas ER alpha was undetectable in these cell types. In the uterus ER beta and ER alpha were both present in epithelial cells lining the lumen and glands. In the lung ER beta was present in the cells lining the bronchioles and alveoli as well as in smooth muscle. In bladder and seminal vesicle immunostaining was intense in epithelial cells but the receptor was also expressed in nuclei of smooth muscle cells. Cell nuclei of the heart ventricle were immunopositive for ER beta as were most cells of the adult rat adrenal. In the seminiferous epithelium of the testis, nuclei of Sertoli cells were immunopositive but expression was not stage dependent. In conclusion, immunohistochemistry has proved invaluable in visualising specific sites of expression of ER beta in complex tissues including those of the reproductive tract.
Improvement of glucose homeostasis and hepatic insulin resistance in ob/ob mice given oral molybdate
Authors: Reul BA , Becker DJ , Ongemba LN , Bailey CJ , Henquin JC , Brichard SM
Published: December 2004

Molybdate (Mo) exerts insulinomimetic effects in vitro. In this study, we evaluated whether Mo can improve glucose homeostasis in genetically obese, insulin-resistant ob/ob mice. Oral administration of Mo (174 mg/kg molybdenum element) for 7 weeks did not affect body weight, but decreased the hyperglycaemia (approximately 20 mM) of obese mice to the levels of lean (L) (+/+) mice, and reduced the hyperinsulinaemia to one-sixth of pretreatment levels. Tolerance to oral glucose was improved: total glucose area was 30% lower in Mo-treated mice than in untreated ob/ob mice (O), while the total insulin area was halved. Hepatic glucokinase (GK) mRNA level and activity were unchanged in O mice compared with L mice, but the mRNA level and activity of L-type pyruvate kinase (L-PK) were increased in O mice by 3.5- and 1.7-fold respectively. Mo treatment increased GK mRNA levels and activity (by approximately 2.2-fold and 61% compared with O values), and had no, or only a mild, effect on the already increased L-PK variables. mRNA levels and activity of the gluconeogenic enzyme, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) were augmented in O liver (sixfold and by 57% respectively), and these were reduced by Mo treatment. Insulin binding to partially purified receptors from liver was reduced in O mice and restored by Mo treatment. Despite this correction, overall receptor tyrosine kinase activity was not improved in Mo mice. Moreover, the overexpression (by two- to fourfold) of the cytokine tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) in white adipose tissue, which may have a determinant role in the insulin resistance of the O mice, was unaffected by Mo. Likewise, overexpression of the ob gene in white adipose tissue was unchanged by Mo. In conclusion, Mo markedly improved glucose homeostasis in the ob/ob mice by an insulin-like action which appeared to be exerted distal to the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase step. The blood glucose-lowering effect of Mo was unrelated to over-expression of the TNF alpha and ob genes in O mice, but resulted at least in part from attenuation of liver insulin resistance by the reversal of pre-translational regulatory defects in these mice.
The melanocortin 1, 3, 4 or 5 receptors do not have a binding epitope for ACTH beyond the sequence of alpha-MSH
Authors: Schioth HB , Muceniece R , Larsson M , Wikberg JE
Published: December 2004

ACTH(1-39), and several shorter N- and/or C-terminally truncated fragments of ACTH, with and without N-terminal acetylation and/or C-terminal amidation, were tested for binding on a single eukaryotic cell line transiently and independently expressing the melanocortin MC1, MC3, MC4 and MC5 receptors. The results show that none of these MC receptors has specific binding epitopes for the ACTH peptides beyond the amino acid sequence of alpha-MSH, when tested for their ability to compete with 125I-labelled [Nle4,D-Phe7]alpha-MSH and ACTH. The MC3 receptor favours the natural desacetylated N-terminal end of the ACTH peptides, and it has generally more than 10-fold higher affinity for the ACTH peptides than the MC4 receptor. Considering earlier anatomical localisation data, together with the present data, we suggest that the MC3 receptor is the most likely candidate of the MC receptors to mediate the short-loop negative feedback release of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF) caused by ACTH/MSH peptides.
Opioidergic regulation of prolactin secretion during pregnancy: role of ovarian hormones
Authors: Soaje M , Deis RP
Published: December 2004

We have recently demonstrated the existence of a neuromodulatory regulation of prolactin secretion by the opioid system showing a paradoxical opioid-induced prolactin suppression at the end of pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine a possible interaction between the opioid system and ovarian hormones on the release of prolactin during pregnancy. Serum prolactin levels measured at 1800 h were significantly higher on days 3 and 6 of pregnancy when compared with the other days of gestation. These increases in serum prolactin were reduced significantly by naloxone (2 mg/kg) administered at 1730 h and by RU-486 (10 mg/kg) administered at 0800 h. The response induced by RU-486 was potentiated by naloxone only on day 3. On days 7, 13 and 16, prolactin secretion was not modified by RU-486 and/or naloxone treatment. In RU-486 pretreated rats, naloxone administration increased serum prolactin levels only on day 16 of pregnancy. Interestingly, progesterone treatment (0.5 mg/rat) on days 13, 14 and 15 of pregnancy prevented the high increase in serum prolactin induced by RU-486 and naloxone on day 16 of pregnancy. The progressive increase and decrease of serum progesterone concentration during pregnancy was not modified by naloxone treatment. The participation of oestrogen in the regulation of prolactin secretion by the opioid system on days 3, 16 and 19 was examined by treating these groups of rats with oestradiol benzoate or tamoxifen citrate. Oestradiol (2 micrograms/rat) significantly increased serum prolactin levels on day 3 and naloxone administration did not modify this increase. No effect was observed after oestradiol (5 micrograms/rat) and naloxone treatment on days 16 and 19 of pregnancy. Oral administration of tamoxifen (500 micrograms/kg) the previous day did not modify the serum prolactin concentration measured at 1800 h in oil-treated rats on days 3, 16 and 19 of pregnancy. The antioestrogen completely abolished the naloxone-induced prolactin secretion on day 16 in rats pretreated with RU-486 but no effect was observed on day 19. When tamoxifen was administered on days 14 and 15 of pregnancy, the high serum prolactin levels on day 19 induced by treatment with RU-486 and naloxone were significantly reduced. In conclusion, these results provide an important new insight into the existence of a dual neuromodulatory regulation of prolactin secretion by the opioid system during pregnancy. After a stimulatory action during the first days, there is a change to an inhibitory control at the end of pregnancy, starting around day 16. Moreover, the activation of the inhibitory modulation of the opioid system on prolactin secretion on days 16 and 19 of pregnancy seems to be mediated by changes in the oestrogen and progesterone action.
Adaptation of parathyroid function to intravenous 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 or partial parathyroidectomy in normal dogs
Authors: Cloutier M , Gagnon Y , Gascon-Barre M , Brossard JH , D'Amour P
Published: December 2004

Parathyroid function was studied in 14 normal dogs 1 month before and after daily i.v. administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) (eight dogs), or about 50% parathyroidectomy (six dogs), to test the hypothesis that degradation of newly synthesized intact parathyroid hormone (I-PTH) is involved in parathyroid gland adjustment to a modified demand for I-PTH. Parathyroid function was studied through i.v. infusions of Na2EDTA and CaCl2 and measurement of ionized calcium (Ca2+), I-PTH and carboxyl-terminal PTH (C-PTH) at various time points. The C-PTH/I-PTH ratio was used as an index for change in the relative proportion of circulating C-PTH vs I-PTH, 1 month prior to and following each intervention. This ratio was further validated by looking at the HPLC profile of I- and C-PTH in hypo- and hypercalcemia under experimental conditions. Basal Ca2+ was unaltered 1 month after surgery, and was maintained constant in the 1,25-(OH)2D3-treated group by gradually decreasing 1,25-(OH)2D3 doses over time from 0.25 to 0.13 microgram twice daily during the last week of the experimental protocol. In this same group, basal 1,25-(OH)2D3 was increased by 65% (P < 0.0001) and basal I-PTH was decreased by 40% (P < 0.05), while basal C-PTH and the C-PTH/I-PTH ratio remained unchanged. Stimulated and non-suppressible I- and C-PTH followed the same pattern with, this time, an increase of stimulated and non-suppressible C-PTH/I-PTH ratio of 60% (P < 0.05) and 85% (P < 0.05) respectively. There was no change in basal I-PTH, C-PTH, or C-PTH/I-PTH ratio after surgery. However, stimulated I- and C-PTH were decreased by 45% (P < 0.005) and 65% (P < 0.005) respectively, with a 30% (P < 0.005) decrease of stimulated C-PTH/I-PTH ratio. There was no change in non-suppressible I-PTH, while non-suppressible C-PTH decreased by 55% (P < 0.005), with a 55% (P < 0.05) decrease in non-suppressible C-PTH/I-PTH ratio. The HPLC profiles of I- and C-PTH obtained in hypo- and hypercalcemia disclosed a similar distribution of the immuno-reactivity into peaks before and after i.v. administration of 1,25-(OH)2D3 as well as partial parathyroidectomy. This indicated that C-PTH/I-PTH ratio changes were related to different circulating levels of I- and C-PTH rather than to a different composition of I- and C-PTH. These data indicate a shift in the circulating PTH profile toward more PTH carboxyl-terminal fragments after 1 month of i.v. 1,25-(OH)2D3, but toward more intact PTH 1 month after about 50% parathyroidectomy, possibly reflecting adjustments in PTH degradation induced by a modified demand for I-PTH. Although these changes are most likely modulated at the parathyroid gland level, we cannot formally eliminate participation of the hormone's peripheral metabolism.
Regulation of IGF-binding protein-6 by dexamethasone and IGFs in PC12 rat phaeochromocytoma cells
Authors: Bach LA , Leeding KS , Leng SL
Published: December 2004

PC12 rat phaeochromocytoma cells are widely used as a model of neuronal differentiation. They express IGF receptors and are responsive to IGFs. The main IGF-binding protein synthesized by these cells is IGFBP-6. Glucocorticoids induce differentiation of PC12 cells towards a chromaffin phenotype. The effect of dexamethasone on IGFBP-6 levels was therefore studied. Dexamethasone (500 nM) decreased IGFBP-6 protein in conditioned media and mRNA levels to 61 +/- 5% (P < 0.0001) and 34 +/- 14% (P = 0.03) of control levels respectively. Incubation of PC12 cells with IGF-II (100 ng/ml) for 72 h increased IGFBP-6 protein levels in media to 217 +/- 19% of control (P < 0.0001). IGFBP-6 mRNA levels, however, were unchanged. IGF-I had similar effects on IGFBP-6 protein and mRNA levels. IGFs increased cell number by 50-60%, but this was insufficient to explain the increases in protein levels. IGFBP-6 was not released from a cell-associated reservoir or protected from proteolysis by IGFs, excluding these post-translational mechanisms as explanations for the IGF effects on IGFBP-6 levels. The effects of IGF-II and dexamethasone on IGFBP-6 levels were independent. These results indicated that (1) dexamethasone decrease IGFBP-6 at the mRNA level, and (2) IGFs stimulate IGFBP-6 levels by a post-transcriptional mechanism.
The expression of regulated endocrine-specific protein of 18 kDa in peptidergic cells of rat peripheral endocrine tissues and in blood
Authors: Darlington DN , Schiller MR , Mains RE , Eipper BA
Published: December 2004

We examined the cellular localization of regulated endocrine-specific protein of 18 kDa (RESP18) and mRNA in peripheral endocrine tissues. In situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry identified RESP18 mRNA in most cells of the anterior and intermediate pituitary, with RESP18 protein apparent in many anterior pituitary cells but very few intermediate pituitary cells. In the adrenal medulla and superior cervical ganglion, RESP18 mRNA co-localized with dopamine beta-mono-oxygenase and neuropeptide Y. In the thyroid, RESP18 mRNA was localized to C-cells. RESP18 mRNA was expressed in most of the cells of the pancreatic islets, co-localizing with insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin. No RESP18 mRNA or protein was detected in the adrenal cortex, ovary, neural lobe of the pituitary, parathyroid, exocrine pancreas, thyroid follicular cells, placenta, mammary tissue, liver, lung, or atria. As in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary, high levels of RESP18 mRNA in the pancreatic islets and adrenal medulla did not always correlate with immunodetectable RESP protein, suggesting that post-transcriptional mechanisms are important in controlling RESP18 expression. Western blot analyses identified 18 kDa RESP and higher molecular weight isoforms of RESP in most tissues and in plasma. Subcellular fractionation of the anterior pituitary identified 18 kDa RESP18 in fractions enriched in endoplasmic reticulum and secretory granules, with the higher molecular weight isoforms of RESP18 concentrated in fractions enriched in secretory granules. The broad neuroendocrine distribution of RESP18 suggests that it subserves an important function in the secretory pathway that is common to the production of many secreted peptides.
Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist arrests premeiotic germ cell proliferation but does not inhibit meiosis in the male monkey: a quantitative analysis using 5-bromodeoxyuridine and dual parameter flow cytometry
Authors: Weinbauer GF , Schubert J , Yeung CH , Rosiepen G , Nieschlag E
Published: December 2004

Meiosis constitutes a crucial phase of spermatogenesis since the recombination of genetic information and production of haploid round spermatids need to be achieved. Although it is well established that gonadotrophic hormones are required for completion of the spermatogenic process, little is known about the dynamic and kinetic aspects of development of spermatocytes into spermatids and its endocrine control in the primate. In this study, S-phase germ cells were labelled using 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation and were then followed throughout meiosis under normal conditions and following GnRH antagonist (ANT)-induced gonadotrophin withdrawal in a nonhuman primate model, the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis). Adult animals received either vehicle (VEH, n = 4) or the ANT cetrorelix (n = 5) throughout 25 days. On day 7 all animals received a bolus injection of BrdU. A biopsy was performed after 3 h, one testis was removed 9 days later (day 16 of treatment) and the other testis after 18 days (day 25 of treatment). Serum testosterone and inhibin levels, and testis weight were reduced (P < 0.05) by ANT treatment. BrdU localized to pachytene spermatocytes 9 days after BrdU and to round spermatids 18 days after BrdU in both groups, demonstrating that BrdU-labelled pachytene spermatocytes had undergone meiosis. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that the relative number and number per testis of BrdU-tagged 2C and 4C cells were reduced significantly (P < 0.05) within 16 days of ANT treatment. Numbers of 1C cells were lowered by day 25. The cell ratio for 1C:4C was similar with VEH and ANT (P > 0.05). These findings indicate that ANT reduced the number of cells available for meiosis but did not alter the rate of transition into round spermatids. Unexpectedly, however, the stage-dependent progression of BrdU-tagged round spermatids was significantly (P < 0.05) retarded under ANT as seen from the frequency of tubules containing BrdU-labelled round spermatids. The average duration of spermatogenic cycle was slightly prolonged (9.8 days in the VEH group and 10.8 days in the ANT group (P = 0.09)). Since no atypical germ cell associations could be found, it remains unclear whether this slight prolongation is entirely due to altered spermatid progression or whether earlier phases are affected. We conclude for the nonhuman primate that (1) BrdU-labelling of premeiotic germ cells is suitable for tracing their meiotic transition into postmeiotic cells, (2) unlike in the rat, gonadotrophin suppression initially affects premeiotic cell proliferation and thus the number of cells available for meiosis, (3) the meiotic process continues quantitatively despite gonadotrophin deficiency and (4) prolonged gonadotrophin deficiency might alter the timing of germ cell development.
Differential effects of systemic prostaglandin E2 on bone mass in rat long bones and calvariae
Authors: Suponitzky I , Weinreb M
Published: December 2004

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) has been shown to possess anabolic properties when administered systemically. All the experiments performed so far examined long bones from animals of varying age and bone status. In this study we compared the changes in bone mass of long bones (femur, tibia and humerus) to those in calvariae after a 3-week daily administration of 6 mg/kg PGE2 into 3-week-old rats. This regimen inhibited body weight gain (by 14.1%) as well as longitudinal growth of long bones (by 2.2-3.5%) but increased their mass. Ash weight (measuring both cancellous and compact bone) increased by 10.1-14.1% but tibial cancellous bone area was elevated by 54%. Radial growth was slightly reduced due to transient inhibition of mineral apposition rate at the periosteal envelope but the expansion of the marrow cavity was inhibited to a greater extent, resulting in an 8.1% increase in the relative compact bone area. The increased bone mass was associated with greater mechanical strength of the femoral neck (24.2% increase in fracture load and 19% in stiffness). In contrast, PGE2 administration did not affect calvarial thickness or mineral apposition rate but increased its density, i.e. reduced the area of marrow spaces due to stimulation of endocortical bone formation at this site. The pattern of bone mass changes documented in this study closely correlates with that of the induced expression of early-response genes following a single dose of PGE2 as we recently reported. These data, therefore, support the hypothesis that in vivo administration of an anabolic dose of PGE2 increases bone formation and augments bone mass largely by stimulating the recruitment of new osteoblasts via induction of the proliferation and/or differentiation of bone marrow osteogenic precursors.
Effects of peripheral sympathetic denervation induced by guanethidine administration on the mechanisms regulating puberty in the female guinea pig
Authors: Riboni L , Escamilla C , Chavira R , Dominguez R
Published: December 2004

The effects of peripheral sympathetic denervation induced by guanethidine administration to newborn and 10-day-old female guinea pigs on puberty, ovulation and the follicular population were analysed. Peripheral sympathetic denervation beginning at birth resulted in the loss of ovarian norepinephrine content (0.95. +/- 0.1 ng/mg wet tissue in untreated control animals vs non detectable in treated animals). Guanethidine administration to newborn or 10-day-old guinea pigs advanced puberty (age of vaginal opening: 27 +/- 1.2 days (newborn), 26 +/- 1.7 (10-day-old) vs 37 +/- 0.7 (control), P < 0.001) and ovulation. The number of corpora lutea in control and denervated animals was similar (3.5 +/- 0.2 vs 3.3 +/- 0.3). The relative weight (mg/100 g body weight) of the ovaries and adrenals in the denervated animals autopsied during the late follicular phase (24-48 h after vaginal opening) increased (ovaries: 27.8 +/- 1.3, 28.9 +/- 3.0 vs 20.9 +/- 0.8, P < 0.05; adrenals 36.4 +/- 1.4, 37.0 +/- 0.8 vs 31.6 +/- 1.5, P < 0.05), while the uterine weight diminished (179 +/- 13, 149 +/- 28 vs 292 +/- 20). When the animals were killed during the late luteal phase (9-11 days after vaginal closure), the relative weight of the ovaries of newborn guanethidine-treated animals was higher than that of the control animals (21.4 +/- 1.7 vs 16.8 +/- 1.4, P < 0.05). The mean number of follicles counted in the ovaries of denervated animals was significantly higher than in control animals (1736 +/- 230 vs 969 +/- 147, P < 0.05). The mean diameter of the follicles in the untouched control ovary in animals killed in the late follicular phase was significantly larger than from animals killed in the late luteal phase (263 +/- 3.9 microns vs 248 +/- 3.0 microns, P < 0.01). The mean diameter of the follicles measured in the ovaries of denervated animals was significantly higher than in controls (animals treated from birth 274 +/- 2.0 microns vs 255 +/- 2.4, P < 0.05; animals treated from day 10, 286 +/- 2.3 microns vs 257 +/- 2.3, P < 0.05). When the mean diameter of the follicles in the left and right ovary of the untouched control was analysed, the follicular diameter in the left ovary was significantly larger than in the right ovary (309 +/- 6.0 microns vs 214 +/- 3.9, P < 0.01); the response of the left and right ovaries to sympathetic denervation was the opposite. The results obtained in the present study suggest that ovarian innervation plays a role in the regulation of follicular growth, maturation and atresia which is not related to changes in steroid secretion by the ovary, but to other regulatory mechanisms.
Hormone-induced changes in nuclear receptor stoichiometry in HL60 cells correlate with induction of monocyte or neutrophil differentiation
Authors: McTernan PG , Sheppard MC , Williams GR
Published: December 2004

HL60 cells differentiate to monocytes or neutrophils in response to 1 alpha,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 (D3) and retinoids respectively. D3 and retinoid actions converge since their receptors (VDR, RAR) heterodimerise with a common partner, RXR, which also interacts with thyroid hormone (T3) receptors (T3R). HL60 cells were treated with combinations of D3 and retinoids to induce differentiation and to investigate whether increased VDR or RAR expression correlated with monocyte or neutrophil differentiation and whether altered receptor concentrations affected DNA-binding specificity. As assessed by Western blotting, VDR and RXR expression was unchanged in monocytes relative to controls but levels of RAR and T3R were reduced. In contrast, only VDR expression was reduced in neutrophils. T3 did not promote differentiation or influence its induction by D3 or retinoids and did not affect expression of any receptor. Gel mobility-shift analysis revealed that nuclear extracts from undifferentiated cells, monocytes and neutrophils interacted differently with VDRE-, RARE- and RXRE-binding sites. Monocyte nuclear protein/DNA complexes contain readily detectable VDR and RXR whereas neutrophil complexes contain RAR and RXR. Thus hormone-induced changes in receptor stoichiometry favour either VDR/RXR or RAR/RXR heterodimerisation and correlate with hormone-induced differentiation of HL60 cells to monocytes or neutrophils respectively.
Gonadotrophin storage patterns in the ewe during the oestrous cycle or after long-term treatment with a GnRH agonist
Authors: Taragnat C , Bernier A , Fontaine J
Published: December 2004

The storage pattern of gonadotrophins in the ewe pituitary was investigated during the oestrous cycle and after desensitization to GnRH using long-term treatment with a GnRH agonist, buserelin. Oestrous cycles in ewes were synchronized with progestagen sponges. Animals were allocated to two experiments. In the first, ewes were killed 36 h (before the preovulatory surge, n = 4), 48 h (end of the preovulatory surge, n = 5), 72 h (post-ovulation, n = 4) and 240 h (luteal phase, n = 3) after sponge removal. In the second experiment, another progestagen sponge was inserted in ewes 84 h after removal of the first sponge. Four ewes were infused continuously with buserelin (50 micrograms/day) for 15 days before killing. A further four ewes received no buserelin (controls). Pituitaries were collected and processed for immunocytochemistry to detect monohormonal (LH or FSH) and multihormonal (LH/FSH) cells. The percentages of LH or FSH immunoreactive cells in the pituitary were lower at the end of the preovulatory surge (7.4 +/- 0.3% and 1.2 +/- 0.3% respectively) compared with the other stages (11.4 +/- 0.5% and 5.4 +/- 0.7% respectively). Analysis of dual immunostaining showed the existence of monohormonal cells for LH and multihormonal cells (LH/FSH). No monohormonal cell for FSH was detected except at the end of the preovulatory surge when a few monohormonal FSH cells appeared (0.1 +/- 0.01% of pituitary cells). The percentage of monohormonal LH cells in the pituitary gland was similar in all studied stages of the oestrous cycle, whereas the percentage of multihormonal cells was lower at the end of the surge. In agonist-treated ewes, the percentages of LH or FSH immunoreactive cells (5.3 +/- 0.5% and 1.5 +/- 0.8% respectively) were decreased compared with controls (9.4 +/- 1% and 7.5 +/- 1.1% respectively). Analysis of the double immunostaining revealed a few monohormonal FSH cells (0.2 +/- 0.01% of pituitary cells) in agonist-treated ewes but not in controls. The percentage of monohormonal LH cells in the pituitary gland increased from 1.9 +/- 0.2% in controls to 3.8 +/- 0.3% in agonist-treated ewes, whereas multihormonal cells dropped from 7.5 +/- 1.1% to 1.3 +/- 0.7%. Our data suggest, therefore, that multihormonal cells contribute to gonadotrophin secretion, either during the preovulatory surge of the oestrous cycle or during the 'flare-up' effect initially induced by a GnRH agonist. Moreover, the appearance of monohormonal FSH cells in some conditions reflects a differential regulation of LH and FSH.
Calcium blood level modulates endogenous nitric oxide action: effects of parathroidectomy in patients with hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Martina V , Bruno GA , Brancaleoni V , Zumpano E , Tagliabue M , Fornengo R , Gasparri G , Pescarmona GP
Published: December 2004

Platelet cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) is produced by soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), the activity of which is modulated by the activity of nitric oxide (NO) constitutive synthase (cNOS) which, in turn, is activated by a calcium/calmodulin complex. In primary hyperparathyroidism (H-PTH) an increase in platelet free calcium levels is present. In this study we evaluate the platelet cGMP levels, as an expression of NO production, in the presence of 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) alone (IBMXcGMP) and after stimulation by ionomycine (IONO; IONOcGMP) and sodium nitroprusside (SNP; SNPcGMP), in eight subjects affected by H-PTH before and after removal of adenoma. Platelet cGMP levels were also measured in seven normal subjects. IBMXcGMP and IONOcGMP were elevated in H-PTH patients compared with normal subjects (1.9 +/- 0.3 vs 0.8 +/- 0.2 fmol/10(6) platelets and 2.7 +/- 0.4 vs 1.4 +/- 0.3; P < 0.02 and P < 0.05 respectively) but SNPcGMP was unaffected (3.9 +/- 0.6 vs 2.5 +/- 0.5). After parathyroidectomy, blood levels of intact parathyroid hormone (i-PTH), total calcium (t-Ca), IBMXcGMP and IONOcGMP all decreased (177.5 +/- 23.9 vs 45.0 +/- 8.8 pg/ml, P < 0.005; 6.5 +/- 0.5 vs 4.6 +/- 0.1 mEq/1, P < 0.005; 1.9 +/- 0.3 vs 0.8 +/- 0.2, P < 0.005; 2.7 +/- 0.4 vs 1.8 +/ 0.3, P < 0.05 respectively), while SNPcGMP was not modified (3.9 +/- 0.6 vs 4.3 +/- 0.9). t-Ca and i-PTH were directly correlated with IBMXcGMP (P < 0.02, rs = 0.613; P < 0.02, rs = 0.576 respectively) and i-PTH was also correlated with t-Ca (P < 0.001), rs = 0.840). In conclusion: (1) levels of IBMXcGMP and IONOcGMP are high in subjects with H-PTH; (2) after surgery both IBMXcGMP and IONOcGMP decrease to normal values. As IBMXcGMP expresses basal cGMP and IONOcGMP expresses the cGMP after cNOS stimulation, it can be speculated that the increase in NO production could be a mechanism to downregulate the vasoconstriction which may be caused by the high calcium levels in smooth muscle cells. After surgery, together with the normalization of calcium levels, NO production also returned to normal values.
Participation of intraluteal progesterone and prostaglandin F2 alpha in LH-induced luteolysis in pregnant rat
Authors: Stocco CO , Deis RP
Published: December 2004

We examined the participation of the intraluteal levels of progesterone (P4) and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) in the induction of luteolysis by LH and its relationship with the induction of the 20 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity (20 alpha-HSD). Subcutaneous administration of four doses of 10 microgram ovine LH (oLH) at 0800, 0900, 1000 and 1100 h on day 19 of pregnancy induced a decrease in the activity of the enzyme 3 beta-HSD 24 and 48 h after treatment and an increase in luteal 20 alpha-HSD activity 48 h after oLH treatment when compared with control rats. Intraluteal and serum P4 levels were lower than control values 24 and 48 h after oLH treatment, with a significant increase in luteal PGF2 alpha content and a decrease in corpus luteum (CL) weight 48 h after oLH treatment. Intrabursal ovarian (i.b.) treatment with an inhibitor of PG's biosynthesis (diclofenac) (70 microgram/ovary) or P4 (3 microgram/ovary) on day 20 of pregnancy, prevented the increase in 20 alpha-HSD activity observed 48 h after oLH treatment, without any effect on 3 beta-HSD activity. The i.b. administration of P4 prevented the increase in intraluteal PGF2 alpha content induced by oLH treatment and the increases in 20 alpha-HSD activity and intraluteal PGF2 alpha content observed in control animals on day 21 of pregnancy. The inhibition of PG biosynthesis also prevents the decrease in intraluteal and serum P4 level induced by oLH. These results provide good evidence of the important participation of intraluteal P4 and PGF2 alpha on the oLH-induced luteolysis in pregnant rats. We also found the P4 produced by the CL is involved, in part, in the regulation of luteal PG synthesis. Thus, the early decline in 3 beta-HSD activity and the consequent fall in intraluteal P4 content, may trigger the synthesis of PGs and thereafter the increase in luteal 20 alpha-HSD activity to establish luteolysis.
Melatonin receptors in the human fetal kidney: 2-[125I]iodomelatonin binding sites correlated with expression of Mel1a and Mel1b receptor genes
Authors: Drew JE , Williams LM , Hannah LT , Barrett P , Abramovich DR
Published: December 2004

Melatonin receptors in the human fetal kidney were identified and characterized by quantitative in vitro autoradiography using the melatonin agonist, 2-[125I]iodomelatonin. Specific binding was localized to cells in the nephrogenic region at the outer perimeter of the developing kidney and was time-dependent, saturable and inhibited in the presence of guanosine 5'-0-(3-thiotriphosphate) indicative of a G protein-coupled receptor. Expression of the Mel1a and Mel1b melatonin receptors in human fetal kidney was determined using RT-PCR. In situ hybridization confirmed the localization of the Mel1a mRNA transcripts. A role for melatonin in development of the human fetal kidney is postulated.
Growth hormone responses to growth hormone-releasing hormone and hexarelin in fed and fasted dogs: effect of somatostatin infusion or pretreatment with pirenzepine
Authors: Rigamonti AE , Marazzi N , Cella SG , Cattaneo L , Muller EE
Published: December 2004

Using unanesthetized young male and female beagle dogs, before and after a 2-day fast, we studied the effect of an i.v. infusion of 0.9% saline (5 ml/h), somatostatin (SS, 4 or 8 micrograms/kg/h), or pretreatment with pirenzepine (PZ, 0.6 mg/kg i.v.), a muscarinic cholinergic antagonist which allegedly releases SS, on the GH release evoked by acute administration of GHRH (2 micrograms/kg i.v.), hexarelin (HEXA), a member of the GH-releasing peptide family (250 micrograms/kg i.v.) or GHRH plus HEXA. In fasted dogs, GHRH delivered during saline infusion induced a clear-cut rise in plasma GH levels, significantly higher than that which it induced in fed dogs. In contrast, HEXA, although very effective in causing the release of GH, only slightly increased GH secretion in fasted dogs over that which it induced in fed dogs. Co-administration of GHRH plus HEXA into fed dogs induced a synergic GH response that further increased with fasting. The action of GHRH in fed dogs was abolished by the lower dose of SS, whereas SS at either dose was ineffective in suppressing the GH-releasing effect during fasting. Infusion of the lower dose of SS failed to counter the action of HEXA, either before or during fasting, whilst the higher SS dose partially reduced it in both conditions. In contrast to SS, PZ reduced the GH-releasing effect of GHRH and HEXA, both in the fed state and, though to a lesser extent, during fasting. Pirenzepine only slightly reduced the robust GH rise elicited by GHRH plus HEXA in fed dogs. The suppressive effect of PZ on the GH response to combined administration of the peptides was lowest in fasted dogs. These data show that: (1) fasting augmented the GH response to GHRH and (to a lesser degree) to HEXA; (2) SS inhibited the GH response to GHRH in the fed state, but not in the fasted state; (3) only the higher dose of SS partially reduced the GH stimulation by HEXA in either the fed or the fasted state; (4) PZ lowered the GH response to GHRH and to HEXA in both the fed and (to a lesser degree) the fasted state; (5) PZ did not modify the GH release due to the combined administration of GHRH and HEXA. It is suggested that: (1) during fasting the greatly enhanced GH response to GHRH alone or GHRH plus HEXA probably reflects an augmented GHRH secretion; (2) somatotrope refractoriness to SS may contribute to the enhanced GH secretion in states of calorie deprivation; (3) in contrast to a general belief, muscarinic cholinergic antagonists, e.g. PZ, do not act exclusively via release of SS, but probably also through inhibition of GHRH function.
Periovulatory changes in hypothalamic and pituitary monoamines following GnRH analogue treatment in the catfish Heteropneustes fossilis: a study correlating changes in plasma hormone profiles
Authors: Joy KP , Senthilkumaran B , Sudhakumari CC
Published: December 2004

In Heteropneustes fossilis, administration of a single dose (0.15 micrograms/g body weight, i.p.) of [D-Ala6,Gly10]-gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) induced ovulation (in 35 of 35 fish) when mild-stripped at 16 h. Plasma gonadotrophin II (GTH II) levels showed a highly significant increase at 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 h with the peak at 8 h. Plasma cortisol, progesterone and testosterone showed significant elevations at 2, 4, 8 and 12 h with peaks at 8 h (cortisol and testosterone) and 4 h (progesterone). The levels declined to control values at 16 and 48 h except that of testosterone which decreased even further. In contrast, plasma levels of oestradiol-17 beta decreased significantly at 2, 4, 8 and 12 h, with the lowest value at 8 h, but increased at 16 and 18 h. The contents of hypothalamic and pituitary serotonin and noradrenaline increased at 8 h, coinciding with the peak GTH II rise, and decreased at 16 h. In contrast, dopamine content declined at 8 h in both the hypothalamus and pituitary, but increased at 16 h only in the hypothalamus. The hypothalamic adrenaline level decreased at 8 h but increased significantly at 16 h. Hypothalamic levels of monoamine oxidase, catechol O-methyltransferase and dopamine beta-hydroxylase were elevated significantly at 8 h; the dopamine beta-hydroxylase activity decreased at 16 h. Phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase activity was elevated only at 16 h, coinciding with the rise in adrenaline content. It is inferred that the preovulatory decrease in dopamine content concomitant with rises in serotonin and noradrenaline levels, triggered by the low titre of oestradiol, might have potentiated the GnRHa/GnRH (endogenous)-induced release of GTH II for a prolonged period.
Measurement of an analog of insulin-like growth factor-I in blood plasma using a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay
Authors: Gajanandana O , Irvine K , Grant PA , Francis GL , Knowles SE , Wrin J , Wallace JC , Owens PC
Published: December 2004

Long-Arg3-IGF-I (LR3IGF-I) is a synthetic analog of IGF-I that has much lower affinity for IGF-binding proteins than do native IGFs-I and -II. Comparisons of the effects of LR3IGF-I with those of IGFs-I and-II in in vitro and in vivo studies have proved useful in defining the functions of IGF-binding proteins. We have developed a sensitive noncompetitive nonisotopic assay of LR3IGF-I. Mouse IgG 1A7-F5-E5 binds an epitope that contains the substituted arginine3 in LR3IGF-I and was used as the solid phase antibody. The solution phase antibody was a rabbit immunoglobulin Nelson which binds to an epitope that is common to IGF-I and LR3IGF-I. The ELISA system was able to detect as little as 50 pg LR3IGF-I in 100 microliters and the native peptides IGFs-I and -II have less than 0.01% activity. Blood plasma from animals treated with pharmacologically active doses of this growth factor analog could be diluted 33.3-fold before assay, at which concentrations plasma had no significant effect on the assay. The ELISA response to LR3IGF-I was unaffected by the presence of IGF-binding proteins. The intra-assay and interassay coefficients of variation are 2.8 and 7.3% respectively. Recovery of LR3IGF-I added to blood plasma was approximately 90%. The ELISA was used to measure LR3IGF-I concentrations in plasma of cows treated with a pharmacologically active dose of this peptide and the results were compared with those obtained by a previously established LR3IGF-I RIA that requires size exclusion chromatography of plasma under acidic conditions to eliminate IGF-binding protein artefacts from the RIA. There was a positive correlation between results obtained by the two assays. The LR3IGF-I ELISA permits discrimination between the exogenous synthetic IGF-I analog and the endogenous native IGFs-I and -II in animals treated with this growth factor without the need for radioiodination of LR3IGF-I and elimination of the requirement for extraction of plasma before assay.
Interleukin-1 inhibits Leydig cell steroidogenesis without affecting steroidogenic acute regulatory protein messenger ribonucleic acid or protein levels
Authors: Lin T , Wang D , Stocco DM
Published: December 2004

The rate-limiting step of steroidogenesis is the transport of the substrate cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane which involves a cycloheximide-sensitive newly synthesized protein. A protein believed to carry out this function was recently cloned from MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells and named the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR). In the present study, we evaluated the expression and regulation of StAR in primary cultures of rat Leydig cells. StAR mRNA was expressed in Leydig cells as two major transcripts of 3.8 and 1.7 kb and one minor transcript of 1.2 kb. Induction of StAR mRNA transcripts could be detected as early as 30 min after the addition of human choriogonadotropin (hCG) with peak levels attained between 2 and 4 h. hCG in concentrations of 0.1-10 ng/ml caused a dose-dependent increase in StAR mRNA expression. hCG administered at a dose of 10 ng/ml increased the 3.8 kb StAR mRNA level about 14-fold and the 1.7 kb StAR mRNA level about 13.6-fold. hCG-stimulated StAR mRNA was associated with increased StAR protein levels as determined by immunoblot analysis (a 4.5-fold increase). Murine interleukin-1 alpha (mIL-1 alpha) at a concentration of 100 ng/ml inhibited hCG-induced cytochrome P450 side-chain cleavage (P450 scc) mRNA expression and testosterone formation almost completely. Interestingly, mIL-1 alpha had no effect on hCG-induced StAR mRNA or protein levels. Furthermore, mIL-1 alpha (10 ng/ml) decreased conversion of (22R)-hydroxycholesterol to testosterone while the conversion of pregnenolone, 17-hydroxypregnenolone, dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione to testosterone were not affected. These results indicate that the major inhibitory effect of IL-1 on Leydig cell function occurs at the level of P450 scc.
Local production and action of adrenomedullin in the rat adrenal zona glomerulosa
Authors: Kapas S , Martinez A , Cuttitta F , Hinson JP
Published: December 2004

This study was designed to investigate the synthesis and action of adrenomedullin in the rat adrenal gland. The results obtained from in situ hybridization and immunocytochemical studies suggest that adrenomedullin is synthesized not only in the medulla, but also within the zona glomerulosa of the rat adrenal cortex. Findings from in situ hybridization and binding studies also suggested that specific adrenomedullin receptors are expressed in the zona glomerulosa, and that low levels are present in the inner zones of the cortex. The Kd of the zona glomerulosa adrenomedullin receptor (5.5 nmol/l) suggests that it may respond to locally produced adrenomedullin rather than circulating concentrations of the peptide, which are in a lower range. It was found that adrenomedullin acted on zona glomerulosa cells in vitro to stimulate aldosterone release and cAMP formation, but in this tissue did not stimulate inositol phosphate turnover. The effect of adrenomedullin on aldosterone secretion was significantly attenuated by a protein kinase A inhibitor, suggesting that cAMP mediates the effects of adrenomedullin on aldosterone secretion. Adrenomedullin did not significantly affect the response of zona glomerulosa cells to stimulation by either ACTH or angiotensin II. Adrenomedullin did not affect the release of catecholamines, either adrenaline or noradrenaline, by intact adrenal capsular tissue. These data suggest that both adrenomedullin and its specific receptor are expressed in the rat adrenal zona glomerulosa, leading to the hypothesis that adrenomedullin may have an autocrine/paracrine role in the regulation of the rat adrenal zona glomerulosa.