bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insulin-like growth factor-I-induced DNA synthesis in insulin-secreting cell line RINm5F is associated with phosphorylation of the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor and the insulin receptor substrate-2
Authors: Zhang Q , Berggren PO , Hansson A , Tally M
Published: December 2004

A proliferative effect of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) was previously shown in pancreatic islets. However, the mechanism under which IGF-I actions are exerted in insulin-secreting cells is not clear. The rat insulinoma cell line, RINm5F, was shown to have both IGF-I receptors and IGF-Il/mannose-6-phosphate receptors. IGF-I binding to cell surface receptors stimulated phosphorylation of 97 kDa and 93 kDa subunits of the IGF-I receptor and incorporation of [3H]thymidine into RINm5F cells. Both the IGF-I-induced protein phosphorylation and [3H]thymidine incorporation were abolished in the presence of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor, genistein. Under basal conditions, IGF-I did not induce insulin release or changes in cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration. Immunoprecipitation of proteins from RINm5F cells, using phosphotyrosine antibodies, followed by western blotting using antibody against IRS-1 revealed no distinct band of phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-1. Instead, tyrosine-phosphorylated IRS-2 was detected and stimulated by IGF-I when western blotting was performed using antibody against IRS-2. These results indicate that IRS-1 is not likely to be involved in IGF-I signalling in RINm5F cells. Hence, IGF-I stimulated DNA synthesis in RINm5F cells was associated with phosphorylation of IGF-I receptors and IRS-2.
Effect of forty-eight-hour glucose infusion into rats on islet ion fluxes, ATP/ADP ratio and redox ratios of pyridine nucleotides
Authors: Ammon HP , Bacher M , Brandle WF , Waheed A , Roenfeldt M , el-Sayed ME , Ahmed AA , Wahl MA
Published: December 2004

Glucose infusion into rats has been shown to sensitize/desensitize insulin secretion in response to glucose. In pancreatic islets from glucose-infused rats (GIR) (48 h, 50%, 2 ml/h) basal insulin release (2.8 mmol/l glucose) was more than fourfold compared with islets from saline-infused controls and the concentration-response curve for glucose was shifted to the left with a maximum at 11.1 mmol/l. The concentration-response curve for 45Ca2+ uptake was also shifted to the left in islets from GIR with a maximum at 11.1 mmol/l glucose. Starting from a high basal level at 2.8 mmol/l glucose KCl produced no insulin release or 45Ca2+ uptake in islets from GIR. Islets from GIR exhibited a higher ATP/ADP ratio in the presence of 2.8 mmol/l glucose and marked inhibition of 86Rb+ efflux occurred even at 3 mmol/l glucose. Moreover, in islets from GIR the redox ratios of pyridine nucleotides were increased. On the other hand insulin content was reduced to about 20%. The data suggest that a 48-h glucose infusion sensitizes glucose-induced insulin release in vitro in concentrations below 11.1 mmol/l. This may, at least in part, be due to enhanced glucose metabolism providing increased availability of critical metabolic factors including ATP which, in turn, decrease the threshold for depolarization and therefore calcium uptake. Calcium uptake may then be further augmented by elevation of the redox state of pyridine nucleotides.
Presence and possible role of vascular endothelial growth factor in thyroid cell growth and function
Authors: Wang JF , Milosveski V , Schramek C , Fong GH , Becks GP , Hill DJ
Published: December 2004

Angiogenesis is an important component in the development of thyroid goitre. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) represents a family of specific endothelial cell mitogens involved in normal angiogenesis and in tumour development. The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of VEGF in thyroid tissues during goitre formation, and to study the actions of VEGF on the regulation of thymidine incorporation and iodine uptake by thyroid follicular cells. Goitre was induced in adult rats by administration of methimazole together with a low iodine diet. Thyroid from normal or goitrous rats was removed, fixed and sectioned. Immunocytochemistry performed for VEGF using the avidin-biotin system showed that VEGF is present in normal thyroid and is located mainly in the vascular endothelium and interfollicular stromal tissue. After administration of goitrogen for 2 weeks, which caused a two- to threefold increase in thyroid weight, staining of VEGF was less apparent within the interfollicular stroma, but strongly increased throughout the thyroid follicular and endothelial cells. Uptake of [125I] and incorporation of [3H]thymidine by Fisher rat thyroid cells (FRTL-5) were measured after 72 h culture with or without TSH or VEGF, or both. In the absence of TSH, incubation with VEGF caused a significant reduction in [3H]thymidine incorporation, but did not significantly alter [125I] uptake. Incubation with TSH (1 mU/ml) caused a fourfold increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation that was diminished by co-incubation with 10 ng/ml or greater VEGF. Similarly, 10 ng/ml or greater VEGF significantly reduced the ability of TSH to increase [125I] uptake. The antagonistic effects of VEGF on TSH-stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation or [125I] uptake were significantly reduced in the presence of an anti-VEGF antiserum. A DNA fragment representing mRNA encoding the VEGF receptor, flt-1, was identified in FRTL-5 cells by reverse transcription PCR analysis, and the abundance of this fragment was increased in FRTL-5 cells cultured in the medium containing TSH (1 mU/ml) or fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 (25 ng/ml). These results indicated that VEGF and one of its receptors, Flt-1, are present in epithelial cells of the thyroid, and that VEGF could contribute to the regulation of development and function of thyroid epithelial cells.
The anti-catabolic efficacy of insulin-like growth factor-I is enhanced by its early administration to rats receiving dexamethasone
Authors: Tomas FM
Published: December 2004

The anti-catabolic efficacy of IGF-I treatment commencing before, with or after the onset of catabolism was compared in order to test whether earlier treatment can more effectively blunt a catabolic response. Young rapidly growing male rats (145 g body weight) and old weight-stable female rats (270 g body weight) were used in two experiments. The IGF-I variant LR 3IGF-I was continuously infused at 280 micrograms/day from 2 days before (early), concurrent with or 2 days after (delayed) commencement of a 6 day dexamethasone infusion (125 micrograms/kg per day). Both early and delayed treatment of young rats with LR 3IGF-I significantly reduced the measured catabolic effects of dexamethasone. Early treatment was more effective than delayed treatment, with significantly higher nitrogen balance (90 +/- 12 vs 31 +/- 6 mg/day), carcass nitrogen gain (0.37 +/- 0.27 vs -1.13 +/- 0.10% per day) and protein fractional synthesis rates after 2 (10.4 +/- 0.5 vs 8.3 +/- 0.2% per day) and 6 days of dexamethasone (8.2 +/- 0.6 vs 7.0 +/- 0.3% per day). Similarly, fractional breakdown rates of carcass protein were maintained at significantly lower levels in rats given early treatment (6.23 +/- 0.24 vs 6.60 +/- 0.22% per day). In contrast, the old rats were less responsive to LR 3IGF-I treatment and only early and concurrent treatment significantly reduced the catabolic response, partly because of higher food intake. Early treatment was superior to delayed treatment and led to significantly higher nitrogen balance(-19 +/- 11 vs -83 +/- 7 mg/day) and carcass nitrogen fractional gain (-1.19 +/- 0.40 vs -2.76 +/- 0.37% per day) as well as lower final rates of carcass protein fractional breakdown (3.55 +/- 0.15 vs 3.83 +/- 0.07% per day). These experiments show that early (prophylactic) treatment with IGF-I is superior to delayed treatment for reducing catabolism induced by dexamethasone. The results provide the basis for further research to determine if prophylactic IGF-I treatment is useful in other circumstances where catabolism can be anticipated, such as in elective major surgery.
Temporal expression and cellular localization of a gastrin-releasing peptide-related gene in ovine uterus during the oestrous cycle and pregnancy
Authors: Whitley JC , Shulkes A , Salamonsen LA , Vogiagis D , Familari M , Giraud AS
Published: December 2004

Synthesis of both mRNA and peptide for gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) has been demonstrated in the pregnant endometrium of sheep and women. However, it is not known whether GRP is synthesized in the sheep uterus during the oestrous cycle. Furthermore the cellular site of GRP mRNA synthesis in the uterus has not been determined. Therefore we examined the synthesis of GRP and determined the cellular location of GRP peptide and mRNA in sheep uterus taken at different times during the oestrous cycle (duration 17 days) and pregnancy (duration 145 days). Northern blot analysis of RNA isolated from ovine endometrium revealed low or no GRP mRNA at days 4, 10, 12 and 14 of the oestrous cycle and a 24-fold rise in GRP mRNA (normalized to glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA) between days 14 and 16. A similar pattern was observed during early pregnancy, with a 12-fold rise in GRP mRNA:GAPDH mRNA between days 17 and 20 of pregnancy. Levels of GRP peptide were determined by RIA and found to be low in endometrium isolated at days 4, 10, 12 and 14 of the oestrous cycle (1.0-1.6 pmol/g) and 4 to 5-fold higher at day 16. In situ hybridization localized GRP synthesis to the epithelial cells of the uterine glands at day 16 of the oestrous cycle and at days 17, 20, 40 and 50 of pregnancy. At day 140 of pregnancy diffuse hybridization to cells of the myometrium was also observed. Immunohistochemistry localized GRP peptide to the apical cytoplasm of uterine glandular epithelial cells at day 16 of the oestrous cycle. For samples obtained at day 20 of pregnancy, the area surrounding the glands also showed moderately strong staining. Further staining in the glandular lumen and the stromal tissue surrounding the glands was apparent at day 140 of pregnancy. No GRP immunoreactivity could be detected in the peripheral plasma during the oestrous cycle or the first 20 days of pregnancy. Sizing chromatography of GRP immunoreactivity extracted from endometrial tissue taken at day 10 of the oestrous cycle revealed two peaks that co-eluted with GRP(1-27) and GRP(18-27). However, during luteolysis and oestrus the major peak of GRP immunoreactivity extracted from endometrial tissue was larger than GRP(1-27) and similar to that seen previously in the gravid ovine endometrium. These studies demonstrate that a peptide similar to, but larger than, GRP is a major product of the glandular epithelium of the ovine uterus during the luteal regression phase of the oestrous cycle and post-blastocyst implantation in pregnancy and provide further evidence that GRP-related peptides have important regulatory roles in uterine function.
Fetal endocrine responses to prolonged reduced uterine blood flow are altered following bilateral sectioning of the carotid sinus and vagus nerves
Authors: Stein PE , White SE , Homan J , Fraher L , McGarrigle HH , Hanson MA , Bocking AD
Published: December 2004

The present study examines the effect of carotid sinus/vagosympathetic denervation on fetal endocrine responses to prolonged reduced uterine blood flow (RUBF). Fetal sheep had vascular catheters inserted following bilateral sectioning of the carotid sinus and vagus nerves (denervated, n = 7) or sham denervation (intact, n = 7). Uterine blood flow was mechanically restricted at 126.1 +/- 0.7 days (mean +/- S.E.M.) for 24 h, decreasing arterial oxygen saturation by 47.3 +/- 2.6% (P < 0.01). Fetal plasma samples were obtained at -1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 h for subsequent analyses of arginine vasopressin (AVP), angiotensin II and catecholamines. The AVP response to prolonged RUBF was markedly attenuated in denervated fetuses (15.6 +/- 3.6 to 34.9 +/- 6.0 pg/ml) when compared with intact (10.0 +/- 1.4 to 127.3 +/- 28.4 pg/ml). In contrast, intact fetuses demonstrated no change in plasma angiotensin II concentrations with RUBF whereas denervated fetuses demonstrated a marked increase from 47.5 +/- 18.9 to 128.7 +/- 34.2 pg/ml. The norepinephrine and epinephrine responses to prolonged RUBF were attenuated in denervated fetuses (950.1 +/- 308.9 and 155.8 +/- 58.5 to 1268.3 +/- 474.6 and 290.6 +/- 160.2 pg/ml respectively) when compared with intact (1558.3 +/- 384.4 and 547.3 +/- 304.7 pg/ml to 3289.2 +/- 1219.8 and 896.8 +/- 467.8 pg/ml respectively). These results support a role for the peripheral chemoreceptors in mediating fetal endocrine responses to prolonged RUBF, which may in part lead to the altered cardiovascular responses observed in denervated fetuses under these conditions.
D-aspartic acid is implicated in the control of testosterone production by the vertebrate gonad. Studies on the female green frog, Rana esculenta
Authors: Di Fiore MM , Assisi L , Botte V , D'Aniello A
Published: December 2004

In the present study we report the occurrence of D-aspartic acid (D-Asp) in the ovary of the green frog Rana esculenta and its putative involvement in testosterone production by the gonad. In the ovary, D-Asp concentrations undergo significant variations during the main phases of the sexual cycle. In spawning females (March), its concentration was low (2.5 +/- 1.1 nmol/g ovary) and during the post-reproductive period (June) it increased and reached its peak level (58.0 +/- 10.1 nmol/g) in October. In that month, vitellogenesis occurs in a new set of ovarian follicles and continues until the next spring. The concentrations of D-Asp in the ovary and of testosterone in the ovary and in the plasma were inversely correlated during the reproductive cycle: when endogenous D-Asp was low (March), testosterone was high (36.9 +/- 4.8 ng/g ovary; 23.1 +/- 2.76 ng/ml plasma) and, in contrast, when the D-Asp concentration was high (October), the testosterone concentration was low (0.86 +/- 0.21 ng/g ovary and 5.0 +/- 1.3 ng/ml plasma). In vivo experiments, consisting of injection of D-Asp (2.0 mumol/g body weight) into the dorsal lymphatic sac of adult female frogs, demonstrated that this amino acid accumulates significantly in the ovary. After 3 h, moreover, it caused a decrease in testosterone level in the plasma of about 80%. This inhibition was reversible: within 18 h after the amino acid injection, as the D-Asp concentration in the ovary decreased, the testosterone titre was restored in both ovary and plasma. In vitro experiments, conducted in isolated ovarian follicles, confirmed this phenomenon and identified these gonadal components as the putative D-Asp targets. Other amino acids (L-Asp, D-Glu, L-Glu, D-Ala and L-Ala) used instead of D-Asp were ineffective. These findings indicate that D-Asp is involved in the control of androgen secretion by the ovary in this amphibian species, revealing a more complex system for control of this androgen synthesis than was previously believed to exist.
Transcription of (pro)renin mRNA in the rat adrenal cortex, and the effects of ACTH treatment and a low sodium diet
Authors: Ho MM , Vinson GP
Published: December 2004

Transcription of the (pro)renin gene in the adult rat adrenal gland was studied by non-isotopic in situ hybridization. In glands from control (untreated) animals, transcription was relatively sparse, and occurred mostly in the outer zona fasciculata. Treatment with ACTH increased the apparent signal in both the glomerulosa and in fasciculata zones. A low sodium diet initially enhanced the transcription signal specifically in the glomerulosa, but as the regime was extended from 5 days to more than 2 weeks, the signal was also increased dramatically in the zona reticularis. The results emphasize the potential importance of the intraglandular renin-angiotensin system, particularly under conditions of chronic stimulation. They also suggest that angiotensin II, as well as being the major regulator of the glomerulosa, may also have some role in inner adrenocortical zone functions.
Effects of purinergic agonists on aromatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activities and on transferrin secretion in cultured Sertoli cells
Authors: Meroni SB , Canepa DF , Pellizzari EH , Schteingart HF , Cigorraga SB
Published: December 2004

To study the role of extracellular nucleosides and nucleotides in the regulation of Sertoli cells, the effects of agonists which occupy A1 and P2 purinergic receptors on aromatase and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma-GTP) activities and on transferrin secretion were tested. Sertoli cell treatment with purinergic agonists for a prolonged period of time (72 h) resulted in an increase in aromatase activity under basal conditions. In cultures stimulated with FSH, purinergic agonists counteracted the inhibitory effect on aromatase activity that long-term treatment with FSH promoted. The effects of prolonged treatments with purinergic agonists on the other two parameters of Sertoli cell function were less pronounced. Neither gamma-GTP activity nor transferrin secretion was modified under basal conditions. On the other hand, under conditions where cell differentiation was favored by FSH treatment, reductions in gamma-GTP activity and transferrin secretion were usually observed. The results obtained in dbcAMP-stimulated cultures suggested that A1 agonists exert their regulatory function at the level of cAMP formation while P2 agonists act at a more distal point. The fact that morphological changes induced by FSH were reversed by both types of agonists, while those induced by dbcAMP were only abrogated by P2 agonists, supports this hypothesis. In summary, these results demonstrate that purinergic agonists may be important in the regulation of Sertoli cell function.
Cholinergic regulation of the rat adrenal zona glomerulosa
Authors: Janossy A , Orso E , Szalay KS , Juranyi Z , Beck M , Vizi ES , Vinson GP
Published: December 2004

Using histochemical and immunocytochemical methods, cholinergic nerve fibres were demonstrated in the rat adrenal cortex, primarily in the capsule and zona glomerulosa, and in the medulla. Some terminated among the glomerulosa cells or around blood vessels. Occasional fibres were also seen in the fasciculata, ending in islets of chromaffin tissue without ramifications on cortical cells. To clarify the role of cholinergic innervation, a microvolume perifusion system was used to study steroid production by the rat adrenal capsule-glomerulosa. Acetylcholine (ACh) itself had no reproducible effects; however, since variable amounts of endogenous ACh were present, the actions of antagonists were also studied. The M1 muscarinic receptor antagonist pirenzepine (10 and 100 microM) stimulated aldosterone secretion. This stimulation was abolished by co-incubation with carbachol, the M1 agonist McN A-343 and by atropine. We found that the action of pirenzepine was blocked by nifedipine (Ca2+ channel blocker), suggesting that pirenzepine (through release of endogenous ACh) provides an acute stimulus by enhancing Ca2+ inflow. Hemicholine, a choline uptake blocker, reduced the stimulatory effect of pirenzepine on steroid secretion, confirming that stimulation was of neural origin. Neither the non-selective muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine, the selective M1-M3 muscarinic receptor antagonist 4-DAMP, nor the selective M2 muscarinic receptor antagonist methoctramine influenced aldosterone output. Receptor-binding studies revealed the existence of M3 receptors in capsule-glomerulosa homogenates. We conclude that pirenzepine acts on presynaptic M1 autoreceptors to increase spontaneous ACh release from varicose axon terminals that lie in close proximity to the glomerulosa cells. In turn ACh may thus stimulate steroidogenesis acutely through M3 receptors. These results support the concept of a direct cholinergic influence on zona glomerulosa function in the rat.
Post-transcriptional gene regulatory mechanisms in eukaryotes: an overview
Authors: Day DA , Tuite MF
Published: December 2004

Expression of a gene can be controlled at many levels, including transcription, mRNA splicing, mRNA stability, translation and post-translational events such as protein stability and modification. The majority of studies to date have focused on transcriptional control mechanisms, but the importance of post-transcriptional mechanisms in regulating gene expression in eukaryotes is becoming increasingly clear. In this short review, selected examples of post-transcriptional gene regulatory mechanisms operating in both lower and higher eukaryotes will be used to highlight the plethora of such mechanisms already identified. The underlying theme is that post-transcriptional gene regulation relies on specific RNA-protein interactions that either result in the targeted degradation of the mRNA or prevent access of the ribosome to the translation start codon. Such interactions can occur in the 5' or 3' untranslated regions of an mRNA or within the decoded portion of the molecule. The importance of these regulatory mechanisms in a range of biological systems is also illustrated.
Differential effect of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) on intracellular free calcium and cAMP in cells transfected with the human TSH receptor
Authors: Metcalfe RA , Findlay C , Robertson WR , Weetman AP , Mac Neil S
Published: December 2004

The thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) binds to a receptor which activates adenylate cyclase and elevates cAMP concentration. In addition, effects of TSH on intracellular calcium and inositol phosphate accumulation have been reported. However, the mechanism of TSH-stimulated accumulation of inositol phosphates and elevation of calcium levels is unresolved. Previous work from this laboratory has shown TSH to cause acute transient increases in intracellular calcium in pig, human and FR TL-5 rat thyroid cells as well as in cell transfected with the human TSH receptor (JPO9 cells) in some (but not all) experiments. The aim of this study was to investigate the variability of the calcium response to TSH in JPO9 cells to learn more about the nature of this calcium signal induction. Calcium responses to TSH were determined using the fluorochrome fura-2 in both monolayers of adherent cells and adherent single cells. The responses to a single addition and to repetitive additions of TSH were compared. We also determined the cAMP response to TSH using these two protocols of TSH addition. Our data show that, whereas the cAMP response to TSH is highly predictable and consistent and does not require multiple exposures to TSH, cells were unlikely to respond to TSH with an increase in calcium unless they received multiple challenges with the hormone. A single addition of 10 mU/ml TSH failed to increase calcium in any of 40 single cells examined and in only 4 of 15 monolayers of cells (27%) examined; in contrast, 10 of 12 monolayers eventually responded with an increase in calcium after multiple exposure to TSH and 18 of 67 single cells. Similar data were obtained whether calcium was measured in single cells or in populations of cells. We also demonstrated cooperativity between an adenosine derivative, N6-(L-2-phenylisopropyl)adenosine, and TSH such that their co-administration resulted in a consistent and marked elevation in calcium levels not achieved with either agonist alone. In summary, we suggest that the coupling between the TSH receptor and the intracellular signalling system that leads to activation of intracellular calcium in JPO9 cells requires repetitive stimulation or the influence of other agonists, in contrast with the coupling between the TSH receptor and activation of the adenylate cyclase enzyme.
Pituitary autoantibodies in patients with hypopituitarism and their relatives
Authors: Stromberg S , Crock P , Lernmark A , Hulting AL
Published: December 2004

Autoantibodies to human pituitary cytosol proteins were determined by immunoblotting in sera from patients with hypopituitarism and their relatives. Reactivity to an M(r) 49,000 protein was significantly more frequent in patients (6/21 (28%) P < 0.05) as well as in relatives (10/35 (28%) P < 0.02) compared with controls (3/44 (6.8%)). Autoantibodies to this particular protein have previously been detected in sera from 70% of patients with biopsy-proven lymphocytic hypophysitis. Unlike patients with biopsy-proven lymphocytic hypophysitis, none of the patients in this study presented with a suspected pituitary adenoma or showed an enlarged sella turcica. Cisternal herniation was seen in 6/21 patients and this may very well represent the end stage of lymphocytic hypophysitis. Since organ specific autoantibodies are frequent in patients with autoimmune endocrine disease as well as in their unaffected relatives, autoantibodies to this M(r) 49,000 pituitary cytosolic protein may represent markers for an immunological process affecting the pituitary gland.
Induction of apoptosis in thecal/interstitial cells: action of transforming growth factor (TGF) alpha plus TGF beta on bcl-2 and interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme
Authors: Foghi A , Teerds KJ , van der Donk H , Moore NC , Dorrington J
Published: December 2004

Follicular atresia is characterized by the initial rapid loss of granulosa cells by apoptosis, followed by the loss of thecal cells at a slower rate. We have previously shown that treatment of subconfluent cultures of thecal/interstitial cells (T/I) with transforming growth factor (TGF) alpha plus TGF beta caused chromatin condensation and internucleosomal fragmentation characteristic of apoptosis, whereas in the presence of either TGF alpha or TGF beta alone the cells remained healthy. In this study we have examined the effect of TGF alpha and TGF beta alone and in combination on the levels of mRNA encoding bcl-2 and interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme (ICE) in T/I cells using a semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. Bcl-2, a cell survival gene, has been implicated in regulating the balance between cell proliferation and cell death in physiological processes. ICE, the homolog of the C. elegans cell death gene, ced-3, is also involved in apoptotic signal transduction. The levels of mRNA encoding specific PCR products for bcl-2 (430 bp) and ICE (453 bp) were amplified from T/I cell cDNA. Untreated T/I cells and TGF alpha- or TGF beta-treated cells contained comparable levels of bcl-2 mRNA. Treatment of T/I cells with TGF alpha plus TGF beta significantly decreased the levels of bcl-2 mRNA expression. TGF alpha plus TGF beta caused a significant decrease in bcl-2 mRNA levels within 3 h of treatment of T/I cells, followed by a progressive decline to 10% of control levels after 24 h of treatment. In contrast, in control T/I cells, the levels of ICE mRNA were low. TGF alpha plus TGF beta caused a progressive increase in ICE mRNA, reaching levels 2- and 3-fold higher than control cells after 5 and 7 h respectively. DNA analysis showed that DNA fragmentation, indicative of apoptosis, occurred after 10 h of treatment with TGF alpha plus TGF beta. These studies demonstrated that treatment of T/I cells with TGF alpha plus TGF beta influenced gene expression of bcl-2 and ICE prior to the time at which DNA fragmentation was observed. We propose that the gene products of bcl-2 and ICE are involved in the apoptotic signal transduction pathway induced by TGF alpha plus TGF beta in T/I cells.
Impaired membrane translocation of thrombin stimulated PKC epsilon by high glucose
Authors: Reining G , Baumgartner-Parzer S , Waldhausl W
Published: December 2004

Hyperglycaemia is known to cause endothelial dysfunction and to promote diabetic angiopathy. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of long term incubation (16 +/- 1 days) in 30 mM vs 5 mM glucose on ligand induced translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) in paired cultures of individual isolates of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Cells were stimulated with increasing concentrations of thrombin (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and 100 nM) for 30 seconds in the presence of 5 mM and 30 mM glucose, respectively, and analyzed by immunoblotting for PKC-isoforms alpha and epsilon. Stimulation by thrombin of confluent cultures displayed a concentration dependent rise in membrane bound PKC alpha and epsilon. Translocation of PKC alpha by thrombin remained unaffected by high versus normal ambient glucose, whereas translocation of PKC epsilon in cells grown in 30mM glucose was reduced at maximal thrombin concentrations (area under the curve, AUC: 90.4 +/- 7% of control cells; p < 0.008; n = 6) versus control cultures kept in 5mM glucose. In the identical isolates translocation of PKC epsilon was not reduced by 30 mM mannitol used as osmotic control. No change was induced by long term incubation of resting cells with 30 mM vs 5 mM glucose as to total and membrane bound PKC alpha or PKC epsilon. The obtained data suggest modulation by 30 mM glucose of ligand induced PKC translocation in an isoform specific manner, whereas subcellular distribution of PKC isoforms in the absence of thrombin stimulation remains unaffected by 30 mM glucose.
Increased C-type natriuretic peptide mRNA expression in the kidney of diabetic rats
Authors: Shin SJ , Wen JD , Lee YJ , Chen IH , Tsai JH
Published: December 2004

To investigate the responsiveness of renal-synthesized C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) to changes in water and electrolyte balance, we measured renal CNP mRNA levels, plasma CNP concentrations and urinary CNP excretion rates in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats eating a normal (0.26% NaCl) or low (0.04% NaCl) salt diet. Using reverse transcription-PCR followed by Southern blot analysis, we found that renal cortical and medullary CNP mRNA levels were markedly enhanced in diabetic rats from the 14th day and remained enhanced with an accompanying elevation of urinary CNP excretion rates for the entire 60-day study period. All increases of renal CNP mRNA and urinary CNP excretion rates in diabetic rats were attenuated in low salt diet-treated diabetic rats as well as insulin-treated diabetic rats. These results demonstrate that renal CNP synthesis is enhanced in diabetic rats and the increase of renal CNP mRNA is ameliorated by salt restriction and insulin treatment. These results imply that renal-synthesized CNP is responsive to the alteration of water and electrolyte homeostasis in diabetic rats.
The role of the tissue renin-angiotensin system in the response of the rat adrenal to exogenous angiotensin II
Authors: Vinson GP , Teja R , Ho MM , Hinson JP ,   Puddefoot
Published: December 2004

The tissue renin-angiotensin systems (RAS) may have specific roles that complement those of the systemic RAS. In the adrenal, the tissue RAS has been implicated in the regulation of glomerulosa tissue growth and function, and in mediating the response of the tissue to stimulation by ACTH and potassium ions. To examine the role of the rat adrenal tissue RAS in its response to angiotensin II stimulation, adrenals were incubated either as bisected glands or as separated capsular glands (largely glomerulosa) under control conditions, or in the presence of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril, or of angiotensin II, or both. Captopril inhibited the two different tissue preparations in different ways. In the capsular gland it inhibited basal aldosterone output, but facilitated its response to angiotensin II. In the bisected gland, captopril inhibited the response of aldosterone to angiotensin II. Other data suggest that one way in which captopril functions is by preventing the conversion of fasciculata-generated 18-hydroxydeoxycorticosterone (18-OH-DOC) to aldosterone in the glomerulosa. Immunolocalisation of 18-OH-DOC in perfused rat adrenal confirms that one function of angiotensin II is to mobilise tissue-sequestered 18-OH-DOC. The results illustrate the importance of tissue RAS in the synthesis of aldosterone and the response to angiotensin II.
The co-localization of stanniocalcin protein, mRNA and kidney cell markers in the rat kidney
Authors: Wong CK , Ho MA , Wagner GF
Published: December 2004

Stanniocalcin (STC) is a glycoprotein hormone that was first discovered in fish and recently identified in mammals. STC immunoreactive (STCir) cells have been identified in rat kidney and there is also evidence that the hormone functions as a regulator of renal phosphate homeostasis. In the present study we have identified STCir cells and tubules in the rat kidney by correlative immunocytochemistry using antibodies to STC and specific antigenic markers (Tamm-Horsfall protein and anion exchanger-1). The cellular sites of STC gene expression were also identified by in situ hybridization. Correlative immunocytochemistry revealed that STCir was present in all proximal straight tubule cells, all cortical thick ascending limb cells, all distal convoluted tubule cells, and both principal and alpha-intercalated cells of the collecting duct system. On the other hand, in situ hybridization revealed that the STC gene was expressed only in cortical and medullary collecting duct cells. This suggests either that STC is being sequestered by segments that do not express the gene (making them putative targets of the hormone), or that STC mRNA levels were simply too low in these other segments to be detected by in situ hybridization.
The effect of season and melatonin on GnRH-induced LH secretion in oestradiol-treated orchidectomized sheep
Authors: Sakurai H , Adams TE
Published: December 2004

The biphasic effect of oestradiol (E2) on gonadotrope responsiveness is clearly evident in orchidectomized sheep (wethers) receiving E2 and hourly pulses of GnRH. We hypothesized that the duration of E2-induced reduction in gonadotrope responsiveness differed between the breeding (November) and anoestrous (May) seasons in sheep. To test this hypothesis wethers (n = 6/group) were infused (i.v.) with E2 (2 micrograms/50 kg per h) and received hourly pulses of GnRH (200 ng/50 kg per pulse) or saline in May or November. The pattern of LH secretion during the 72 h infusion period was determined. Serum concentrations of LH did not differ with season in control wethers receiving vehicle alone. Similarly, continuous infusion of E2 resulted in a 3-fold reduction in serum LH, irrespective of season. This E2-induced suppression of serum LH was reversed by concurrent episodic delivery of GnRH. The interval between initiation of infusion and return of pretreatment concentrations of LH was taken as a measure of the duration of E2-induced suppression of gonadotrope responsiveness. The duration of this E2-dependent response varied with season, with suppression of gonadotrope responsiveness more prolonged (P < 0.05) in May (36.7 +/- 2.9 h) than in November (14.3 +/- 1.1 h). In a companion study we examined the effect of melatonin on the duration of E2-induced suppression of gonadotrope responsiveness. Wethers received blank or melatonin-containing implants in March. Sixty days after implant insertion (mid-May) wethers received E2 (2 micrograms/50 kg per h) and hourly pulses of GnRH (200 ng/50 kg per pulse) or saline for 72 h. Continuous delivery of E2 alone resulted in a 3-fold decrease in serum concentrations of LH in both control and melatonin-treated wethers. The duration of E2-induced suppression of gonadotrope responsiveness in animals receiving E2 and GnRH was extended (P < 0.05) in wethers with blank implants (48.0 +/- 0.7 h), relative to the duration of suppression in melatonin-treated wethers (14.5 +/- 1.0 h). Taken together these data indicate that E2-induced suppression of gonadotrope responsiveness is more extended during the anoestrous season. However, this seasonal effect can be reversed by continuous administration of melatonin.
cAMP-dependent inhibition is dominant in regulating superoxide production in the bone-resorbing osteoclasts
Authors: Berger CE , Horrocks BR , Datta HK
Published: December 2004

Calciotropic hormones such as parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin have been shown to have stimulatory and inhibitory effects respectively on superoxide anion (O2-) generation by osteoclasts, but the exact intracellular signalling mediating these pathways has not been investigated. In order to elucidate the intracellular pathways controlling O2- generation, we have carried out a systematic study of the effect of different agents on O2- production in osteoclasts cultured on bovine cortical bone. Dibutyryl cAMP and cholera toxin, while having no effect on the basal level of O2- production in bone-resorbing osteoclasts, were, however, found to completely block the stimulation of free radical production by PTH, pertussis toxin and ionomycin. The stimulation of O2- production was found to be independent of protein kinase C-dependent pathways since the presence of bisindolylmaleimide (GF109203X) (1 microM) did not block stimulation by PTH and pertussis toxin. Interestingly, while exposure to bisindolylmaleimide at this concentration did not have any effect on the basal level of O2- production, exposure to a higher concentration (10 microM), which is known to inhibit both protein kinase C and A, produced significant stimulation. These in vitro findings suggest that in the bone-resorbing cells, cAMP-dependent protein kinases prevent further stimulation of NADPH oxidase by agents such as PTH and pertussis toxin. The increase in cAMP has also been recently demonstrated to be associated with down-regulation of the oxidative burst in adherent neutrophils; and the findings reported here suggest a similar role for cAMP in O2- generation in osteoclasts cultured on bone.
Effects of repeated doses and continuous infusions of the growth hormone-releasing peptide hexarelin in conscious male rats
Authors: Conley LK , Gaillard RC , Giustina A , Brogan RS , Wehrenberg WB
Published: December 2004

We have previously shown that hexarelin, a novel GH-releasing peptide (GHRP), is able to elicit GH release when administered i.v., s.c. or by mouth and that it is a more potent GH secretagogue than GHRP-6. In the current study, we investigated the effects of hexarelin administered as repeated doses at 2 h intervals or as a continuous 6, 30 or 174 h infusion to conscious male rats. In the first experiment, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were prepared with dual indwelling jugular catheters. On the day of experimentation, these animals received three 25 micrograms/kg i.v. boluses of hexarelin at 2 h intervals with blood sampling at 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after each dose. The mean peak GH response and the mean area under the GH response curve (AUC) for the 30 min after each administration were calculated and are reported as the mean +/- S.E.M. For both the peak and AUC results there was a significant (P < 0.05) difference in the GH response noted between the first (peak 301 +/- 37 ng/ml; AUC 5585 +/- 700 ng/ml per 30 min) and second (peak 149 +/- 47 ng/ml; AUC 3056 +/- 908 ng/ml per 30 min) injections of hexarelin, but not between the first and third (peak 214 +/- 49 ng/ml; AUC 3862 +/- 844 ng/ml per 30 min). In a second series of experiments, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received continuous infusions (100 micrograms/h) of hexarelin or saline (1 ml/h) for 6, 30 or 174 h. Blood samples were collected every 20 min for the duration of the 6 h infusion and for the last 6 h of the two longer hexarelin infusions. Plasma GH concentrations peaked within 40 min of the initiation of infusion, but soon returned to basal levels. Mean plasma GH concentrations did not differ between any of the treatment groups, nor did any of the parameters of pulsatile hormone release analyzed. No significant differences in plasma corticosterone concentrations were noted between any of the treatment groups. On the other hand, while neither the 6 h (941 +/- 70 ng/ml) nor the 30 h (954 +/- 70 ng/ml) hexarelin infusions resulted in a significant increase in the plasma IGF-I concentrations over those noted in the saline controls (935 +/- 65 ng/ml), a 174 h hexarelin infusion did elicit a significant increase (1289 +/- 42 ng/ml; P < 0.05). Thus it appears that, while continuous exposure to hexarelin does not disrupt normal GH cycling, it may (after up to 174 h of exposure) alter other components of the growth axis. In addition, since the character of pulsatile GH release remained unaltered in response to the hexarelin infusion, it appears that this GHRP may not act by suppression of functional somatostatin tone as has been suggested previously.
Important role of EP4, a subtype of prostaglandin (PG) E receptor, in osteoclast-like cell formation from mouse bone marrow cells induced by PGE2
Authors: Ono K , Akatsu T , Murakami T , Nishikawa M , Yamamoto M , Kugai N , Motoyoshi K , Nagata N
Published: December 2004

Of various PGs, PGE1 and PGE2 are shown to be the most potent stimulators of osteoclastogenesis in vitro. PGE receptors have been classified into four subtypes, EP1-EP4. Little is known about PGE receptors functioning in bone cells. In this study, using mouse marrow culture, we investigated which PGE receptors are important in osteoclast-like cell (OCL) formation induced by PGE. 11-deoxy-PGE1 (EP2, EP3 and EP4 agonist) stimulated OCL formation potently. Butaprost (EP2 agonist) stimulated it slightly, while sulprostone (EP1 and EP3 agonist) and ONO-AP-324-01 (EP3 agonist) did not. AH23848B (EP4 antagonist) inhibited PGE2-induced OCL formation in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of EP4 mRNA in mouse bone marrow was confirmed by RT-PCR. The results indicate an important role of EP4 in PGE2-induced OCL formation in marrow cultures and suggest therapeutic potential of EP4 antagonists in some clinical conditions with accelerated bone resorption.
Leptin inhibits insulin-stimulated incorporation of glucose into lipids and stimulates glucose decarboxylation in isolated rat adipocytes
Authors: Ceddia RB ,   William WN, Lima FB , Curi R
Published: December 2004

Leptin is an adipocyte hormone involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Generally accepted biological effects of leptin are inhibition of food intake and stimulation of metabolic rate in ob/ob mice, that are defective in the leptin gene. In contrast to these centrally mediated effects of leptin, we are reporting here on leptin effects on glucose incorporation into lipids and glucose decarboxylation in adipocytes isolated from male lean albino rats. Adipocytes previously cultivated (15 h) in the presence of leptin presented a 25% (P < 0.05) reduction of the insulin stimulated incorporation of glucose into lipids. Concurrently, the basal conversion of (U-14C)D-glucose into 14CO2 increased (110%) in the leptin cultivated adipocytes and reached values (1.54 nmol/10(5) cells) similar to the insulin stimulated group (not cultivated with leptin) (1.40 nmol/10(5) cells). In addition, in the presence of insulin, the leptin cultivated adipocytes elicited a 162% (P < 0.05) increase in 14CO2 production that was significantly higher than the increase observed for the not-leptin-cultivated insulin group (92%). We conclude that leptin: 1) directly inhibits the insulin stimulated glucose incorporation into lipids; 2) stimulates glucose decarboxylation, and also potentiates the effect of insulin on glucose decarboxylation in isolated adipocytes. Leptin per se does not alter glucose incorporation into lipids.
Plasma nitrate+nitrite levels are regulated by ovarian steroids but do not correlate with trabecular bone mineral density in rats
Authors: van Bezooijen RL , Que I , Ederveen AG , Kloosterboer HJ , Papapoulos SE , Lowik CW
Published: December 2004

Nitric oxide (NO) is a mediator of bone metabolism and its production is under the control of gender hormones in several cell types or tissues. Changes in endogenous NO production, measured as plasma nitrate+nitrite levels, may therefore contribute to ovariectomy (OVX)-induced bone loss. We studied plasma nitrate+nitrite levels and trabecular bone mineral density (TBMD) 4 weeks after sham-operation or OVX in rats receiving various hormonal treatments. OVX decreased plasma nitrate+nitrite levels significantly and this was accompanied by a significant decrease in TBMD. Treatment with oral ethinyl oestradiol (EE) and subcutaneous 17beta-oestradiol dose-dependently prevented the decrease in plasma nitrate+nitrite levels after OVX, but treatment with oral 17beta-oestradiol did not. Oestrogen treatment, 17beta-oestradiol (s. c. or orally) or EE (orally), prevented the OVX-induced decrease in TBMD. Treatment of sham-operated rats with the anti-oestrogen ICI164, 384 induced a significant decrease in TBMD that corresponded to 54% of the decrease observed after OVX, but did not affect plasma nitrate+nitrite levels. Treatment of ovariectomized rats with Org 2058, a pure progestagen, did not prevent bone loss, but prevented the decrease in plasma nitrate+nitrite levels dose-dependently. Treatment with tibolone, a synthetic steroid with combined weak oestrogenic, progestagenic, and androgenic properties, or with progestagen in combination with EE completely prevented bone loss after OVX. These treatments, however, only partly prevented the OVX-induced decrease in plasma nitrate+nitrite levels. In conclusion, OVX decreased both TBMD and plasma nitrate+nitrite levels. Although plasma nitrate+nitrite levels were under the control of both oestrogen and progesterone, TBMD was affected by oestrogen only. Decreased systemic production of NO is, therefore, not involved in OVX-induced bone loss in rats.
Regulation of gonadotrophin secretion by inhibin, testosterone and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone in pituitary cell cultures of male monkeys
Authors: Fingscheidt U , Weinbauer GF , Fehm HL , Nieschlag E
Published: December 2004

The effects of bovine inhibin, testosterone and GnRH on gonadotrophin secretion by primate pituitary cells were characterized in vitro using pituitaries from six male rhesus monkeys and one male cynomolgus monkey. The effect of inhibin on basal secretion of FSH and LH was investigated. Dose-response curves in monkeys and rats were compared. GnRH dose-response curves in the presence and absence of testosterone were also examined in monkeys. In monkey pituitary cells, testosterone at a concentration of 10(-7) M had no effect on LH or FSH secretion. Inhibin suppressed FSH secretion to 50.8% of that of controls with no effect on LH. In rats, FSH secretion was suppressed to 45.0% of that of controls with a median effective dose (ED50, 95% range) of 1.298 (1.064-1.584) U/ml, compared with 1.024 (0.7204-1.455) U/ml in monkeys. In monkey pituitary cells, LH release was stimulated 9.9-fold and FSH 3.3-fold by GnRH. Testosterone had no effect on basal or GnRH-stimulated gonadotrophin release. These results support the view that the pituitary is not the target organ for the negative feedback action of testosterone in the male. In vitro, inhibin is the major regulator of FSH secretion at the pituitary level.
Epidermal growth factor as an autocrine modulator of stress response in mammary epithelial cells
Authors: Sheffield LG
Published: December 2004

Mouse mammary epithelial cells (NMuMG line) were heat shocked at 42 degreesC for up to 2 h, with continuous culture at 37 degreesC used as controls. EGF mRNA expression, determined by Northern blot hybridization, was increased 4- to 5-fold in heat-shocked cells compared with controls. Heat shock also induced accumulation of EGF immunoreactive protein in both media and cell lysates of NMuMG cells. Oligonucleotides antisense to the EGF mRNA blocked the accumulation of EGF protein, while sense controls were without effect. Antisense oligonucleotide concentrations that inhibited EGF production by NMuMG cells during heat shock dramatically reduced the ability of cells to survive heat shock, while sense oligonucleotide did not affect cell survival. The antisense oligonucleotide inhibition of cell survival was reversed by adding EGF during the heat shock period. Thus the production of EGF or EGF-like peptides during periods of cellular stress may be an important survival mechanism in mammary epithelium.