Phosphodiesterase isoform‐specific expression induced by traumatic brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in significant inflammation which contributes to the evolving pathology. Previously, we have demonstrated that cyclic AMP (cAMP), a molecule involved in inflammation, is down‐regulated after TBI. To determine the mechanism by which cAMP is down‐regulated after TBI, we determined whether TBI induces changes in phosphodiesterase (PDE) expression. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats received moderate parasagittal fluid‐percussion brain injury (FPI) or sham injury, and the ipsilateral, parietal cortex was analyzed by western blotting. In the ipsilateral parietal cortex, expression of PDE1A, PDE4B2, and PDE4D2, significantly increased from 30 min to 24 h post‐injury. PDE10A significantly increased at 6 and 24 h after TBI. Phosphorylation of PDE4A significantly increased from 6 h to 7 days post‐injury. In contrast, PDE1B, PD4A5, and PDE4A8 significantly decreased after TBI. No changes were observed with PDE1C, PDE3A, PDE4B1/3, PDE4B4, PDE4D3, PDE4D4, PDE8A, or PDE8B. Co‐localization studies showed that PDE1A, PDE4B2, and phospho‐PDE4A were neuronally expressed, whereas PDE4D2 was expressed in neither neurons nor glia. These findings suggest that therapies to reduce inflammation after TBI could be facilitated with targeted therapies, in particular for PDE1A, PDE4B2, PDE4D2, or PDE10A.     

血小板活化因子对大鼠黄体细胞孕酮分泌及血管内皮生长因子表达的作用

本文旨在研究血小板活化因子(platelet-activating factor,PAF)对大鼠黄体细胞孕酮分泌及血管内皮生长因子(vascularendothelial growth factor,VEGF)mRNA表达的作用.将未成年(25～28 d)Sprague-Dawley雌性大鼠颈部皮下注射50 IU孕马血清促性腺激素(pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin,PMSG),48 h后注射25 IU人绒毛膜促性腺激素(human chorionicgonadotrophin.hCG)诱导卵泡发育和黄体生成,第6天(hCG注射日为第1天)收集卵巢黄体细胞,体外培养24 h后,不加或加入不同剂量(0.1 μg/mL、1 μg/mL、10 μg/mL)PAF,37℃、5%CO2培养箱内培养24 h.用放射免疫方法测定培养液中孕酮的含量,流式细胞仪和RT-PCR方法检测黄体细胞凋亡以及VEGF mRNA的表达.结果显示,PAF促进黄体细胞孕酮分泌,1 μg/mL PAF作用最强(P<0.05);PAF促进黄体细胞凋亡无明显剂量依赖性,但10 μg/mL PAF显著促进大鼠黄体细胞凋亡(P<0.05):PAF刺激黄体细胞VEGF mRNA表达,1 μg/mL PAF效果最显著(P<0.01).结果提示,PAF可通过调节黄体细胞孕酮的分泌和VEGF mRNA的表达来促进黄体形成.     

Concentrations of nitric oxide in equine preovulatory follicles before and after administration of human chorionic gonadotropin

In the present study, follicular fluids of estrous mares treated with saline solution (Control) or nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors were analyzed for nitric oxide (NO), estradiol-17beta (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations before and 36h after administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Follicular fluids obtained before (0h) hCG administration from control mares had lower concentrations of NO than those obtained 36h after administration of hCG (58.3+/-17.8 micromol versus 340.4+/-57.7 micromol; P<0.05). A similar pattern was also noted for intrafollicular P4 in control mares, which had lower concentrations of intrafollicular P4 before hCG than 36h post-hCG administration (P<0.05). As expected, E2 concentrations of control follicles sampled before hCG administration were higher than those sampled 36h post-hCG administration (P<0.05). However, the E2 concentrations in follicles of mares treated with the NOS inhibitors N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) or aminoguanidine (AG) did not decrease after hCG administration, unlike those in control mares (P>0.10). In addition, mares treated with NOS inhibitors had lower intrafollicular concentrations of NO and P4 than control mares, both before and after hCG administration (P<0.05). Increased intrafollicular concentrations of NO in control, hCG-stimulated mares provide evidence for the presence of an NO-generating system in the equine preovulatory follicle that is likely upregulated following administration of hCG.     

Mitochondrial aggregation patterns and activity in porcine oocytes and apoptosis in surrounding cumulus cells depends on the stage of pre-ovulatory maturation

In this study, we evaluated the distribution and oxidative activity of mitochondria in ex vivo pre-ovulatory porcine oocytes using the fluorescence probe MitoTracker CMTM Ros Orange. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were classified according to cumulus morphology and time from hCG administration. The meiotic configuration of the oocytes and the degree of apoptosis in the surrounding cumulus cells were also evaluated. Estrus was synchronized in 45 crossbred Landrace gilts by feeding altrenogest for 15 days and administering 1000 IU PMSG on Day 16. The LH peak was simulated by treatment with 500 IU hCG, given 80 h after PMSG. Endoscopic oocyte recovery was carried out 2 h before or 10, 22, or 34 h after hCG administration. Altogether 454 COCs were aspirated from follicles with a diameter of more than 5 mm. Cumulus morphology in the majority of COCs recovered 2 h before and 10 h after hCG was compact (60.4 and 52.7%, respectively; P<0.05). At 22 h after hCG, COC morphology changed significantly from 10 h dramatically: 74% of COCs had an expanded cumulus (P<0.01). At 34 h after hCG, 100% of recovered COCs had an expanded cumulus. The percentage of oocytes with a mature meiotic configuration differed among COC morphologies and increased as the interval after hCG administration increased (P<0.05). The type of mitochondrial distribution in the oocytes (n=336) changed from homogeneous to heterogeneous as the interval after hCG administration increased (P<0.01) and was associated with the cumulus morphology. Representative mitochondrial distributions were found as follows: -2 h: fine homogeneous in compact and dispersed COCs; 10 h: granulated homogeneous in compact and dispersed COCs; 22 h: granulated homogeneous in expanded COCs; and 34 h: granulated heterogeneous and clustered heterogeneous in expanded COCs (P<0.01). The oxidative activity of mitochondria measured by fluorescence intensity (Em: 570 nm) per oocyte after Mitotracker CMTM Ros Orange labeling increased in the oocyte as the post-hCG interval increased (P<0.01) and depended on the type of mitochondrial distribution. Lowest oxidative activity of mitochondria was found in oocytes with fine homogeneous distribution (253.1+/-9.4 microA). The oxidative activity increased (334.4+/-10.3 microA) in oocytes with granulated homogeneous distribution of mitochondria, and reached highest level in oocytes with granulated heterogeneous (400.9+/-13.0 microA) and clustered heterogeneous distributions (492.8+/-13.9 microA) (P<0.01). Mitochondrial activity in oocytes coincided with apoptosis in surrounding cumulus cells which increased in a time-dependent manner during pre-ovulatory maturation in vivo (P<0.01). These results indicate that there is a relationship between meiotic progression, cumulus expansion and mitochondrial redistribution and their oxidative activity during final pre-ovulatory maturation in pig oocytes. It appears that increased levels of mitochondrial activities in oocytes are correlated to increased levels of apoptosis in surrounding cumulus cells, in which mitochondria may play a role.     

Assessment of reproductive status in male echidnas

This study reports the development and application of techniques to assess the reproductive status of male echidnas. The pattern of testosterone secretion over a 24-h period in five echidnas was documented. Testosterone secretion after injection i.m. of either 1000 IU hCG (n=4) or 4 microg GnRH agonist (n=6) was determined to establish whether this could be used as a practical index of the prevailing steroidogenic capacity of the testes. hCG (1000 IU) was also used to assess seasonal changes in testosterone secretion in six echidnas over a 13-month period. Seasonal changes in testicular volume were examined by transabdominal ultrasonography. Electroejaculation was attempted to monitor seasonal changes in sperm production, which was also determined by spermatorrhea. There was no apparent diurnal pattern of testosterone secretion in echidnas and circulating concentrations of testosterone remained relatively low (maximum 1.2 ng/mL) and stable over 24h. Injection of hCG resulted in an increase (P<0.01; n=4) in testosterone concentration with a peak (2.9+/-0.3 ng/mL) approximately 4h after injection. GnRH also induced an increase (P<0.01; n=6) in circulating testosterone that was apparent after 1h (2.6+/-0.3 ng/mL) and concentrations remained elevated (3.4+/-0.3 ng/mL) for up to 8h after injection. Seasonal changes in testosterone secretion determined after injection of hCG, increased (P=0.03; n=6) from late-autumn, peaked in late-winter, and decreased by early-spring. Testicular volume followed a similar seasonal pattern (P<0.01; n=6) with an increase from late-autumn, peak in winter and a decline in mid-spring. There was no seasonal change in live weight. Electroejaculation was attempted throughout two breeding seasons but no semen was obtained. Spermatorrhoea in the echidna was described for the first time and was subsequently used to assess seasonal sperm production. Spermatozoa were found in the urine from June to September. This study has demonstrated that exogenous hormones can be used to obtain an index of the prevailing steroidogenic capacity of the testes in echidnas, which is not apparent with repetitive non-stimulated samples over 24 h. The assessment of testosterone secretion after injection of trophic hormones provides a valuable and practical procedure for the assessment of reproductive status. Testicular ultrasonography and spermatorrhea are useful in assessing reproductive status and in this study were successfully used to determine seasonal reproduction in captive echidnas.     

Mineralocorticoid synthesis during the periovulatory interval in macaques

Ovulation and luteal formation in primates are associated with the sustained synthesis of progesterone. The observed high intrafollicular concentrations of progesterone during the periovulatory interval raise the possibility that this steroid serves as a precursor for mineralocorticoids. The aim of this study was to determine if mineralocorticoids are synthesized by the luteinizing macaque follicle during controlled ovarian stimulation cycles in which follicular fluid and granulosa cell aspirates were obtained before or after an ovulatory hCG bolus. Follicular fluid concentrations of progesterone and 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone increased within 3 h of an ovulatory hCG bolus. Their respective metabolites, 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC) and 11-deoxycortisol, were not detectable before an ovulatory stimulus and increased starting at 6 h after hCG, while corticosterone and aldosterone were undetectable. Cortisol was present before and after hCG administration and had increased 2-fold at 24 h after an ovulatory stimulus. The expression of 21-hydroxylase (CYP21A2) mRNA increased within 3 h of hCG administration, while 11beta-hydroxylase-1 (CYP11B1) and 11beta-hydroxylase-2 (CYP11B2) mRNAs were not detectable. 11beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-1 (HSD11B1) mRNA had increased at 12 h after hCG administration, and 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-2 (HSD11B2) had decreased by 3 h after hCG administration. Mineralocorticoid receptor mRNA levels did not change following hCG administration, while glucocorticoid receptor mRNA levels increased in response to an ovulatory stimulus.Treatment of granulosa cells with the mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist spironolactone blocked hCG-induced progesterone synthesis in vitro. These data indicate that macaque granulosa cells can synthesize mineralocorticoids in response to an ovulatory stimulus and that the mineralocorticoid receptor plays a key role in steroid synthesis associated with luteinization of macaque granulosa cells.     

Phosphodiesterase 6 subunits are expressed and altered in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Background

Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is an unresolved clinical issue. Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are known therapeutic targets for various proliferative lung diseases. Lung PDE6 expression and function has received little or no attention. The present study aimed to characterize (i) PDE6 subunits expression in human lung, (ii) PDE6 subunits expression and alteration in IPF and (iii) functionality of the specific PDE6D subunit in alveolar epithelial cells (AECs).

Methodology/Principal Findings

PDE6 subunits expression in transplant donor (n = 6) and IPF (n = 6) lungs was demonstrated by real-time quantitative (q)RT-PCR and immunoblotting analysis. PDE6D mRNA and protein levels and PDE6G/H protein levels were significantly down-regulated in the IPF lungs. Immunohistochemical analysis showed alveolar epithelial localization of the PDE6 subunits. This was confirmed by qRT-PCR from human primary alveolar type (AT)II cells, demonstrating the down-regulation pattern of PDE6D in IPF-derived ATII cells. In vitro, PDE6D protein depletion was provoked by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in A549 AECs. PDE6D siRNA-mediated knockdown and an ectopic expression of PDE6D modified the proliferation rate of A549 AECs. These effects were mediated by increased intracellular cGMP levels and decreased ERK phosphorylation.

Conclusions/Significance

Collectively, we report previously unrecognized PDE6 expression in human lungs, significant alterations of the PDE6D and PDE6G/H subunits in IPF lungs and characterize the functional role of PDE6D in AEC proliferation.     

β2-Agonists upregulate PDE4 mRNA but not protein or activity in human airway smooth muscle cells from asthmatic and nonasthmatic volunteers

β(2)-Adrenergic receptor (β2AR) agonists induce airway relaxation via cAMP. Phosphodiesterase (PDE)s degrade and regulate cAMP, and in airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells PDE4D degrades cAMP. Long-acting β(2)-agonists are now contraindicated as monotherapy for asthma, and increased PDE4D has been speculated to contribute to this phenomenon. In this study we investigated the expression of PDE4D in asthmatic and nonasthmatic ASM cells and its regulation by formoterol and budesonide. Primary ASM cells from people with or without asthma were stimulated with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β(1), formoterol, and/or budesonide. PDE4D mRNA was assessed by real-time PCR, or PCR to assess splice variant production. PDE4D protein was assessed by Western blotting, and we investigated the effect of formoterol on cAMP production and PDE activity. Interleukin (IL)-6 was assessed using ELISA. PDE4D mRNA was dose dependently upregulated by formoterol, with a single splice variant, PDE4D5, present. Formoterol did not induce PDE4D protein at time points between 3 to 72 h, whereas it did induce and increase IL-6 secretion. We pretreated cells with actinomycin D and a proteasome inhibitor, MG132, and found no evidence of alterations in mRNA, protein expression, or degradation of PDE4D. Finally PDE activity was not altered by formoterol. This study shows, for the first time, that PDE4D5 is predominantly expressed in human ASM cells from people with and without asthma and that formoterol does not upregulate PDE4D protein production. This leads us to speculate that continual therapy with β2AR agonists is unlikely to cause PDE4-mediated tachyphylaxis.     

髓过氧化物酶与大剂量顺铂所致小鼠肝功能变化关系的探讨

目的利用大剂量顺铂（Cisplatin,DDP）诱发小鼠急性肾功能衰竭的动物模型,了解大剂量DDP在引起肾损伤的同时对小鼠肝的毒性作用,探讨髓过氧化物酶（Peroxidase,MPO）与DDP所致小鼠肝功能变化的关系。方法 C57BL/6小鼠50只,雌雄各半,依体重随机分为DDP用药组和生理盐水（NS）对照组。15 mg/kg DDP单次腹腔内注射,等量NS对照。分别取对照组小鼠和DDP用药后6、12、24和48 h小鼠各10只,称重后乙醚麻醉,内眦静脉取血检测肝、肾功能;剖腹取肝、称重、计算肝系数,并取少量肝组织行HE染色、形态学观察;检测血浆和肝组织匀浆中MPO活性,统计学分析。结果大剂量DDP用药后48 h,小鼠出现急性肾功能衰竭。DDP用药后6 h血清谷丙转氨酶（ALT）含量达（91.0±11.3）IU/L,与对照组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,随后血清ALT含量持续维持在高水平。DDP用药后各组小鼠肝系数明显升高,光镜下见肝细胞广泛变性水肿,肝小叶中可见点状坏死及炎细胞浸润。DDP用药后6 h,小鼠肝组织匀浆MPO含量显著升高,达（1.54±0.45）U/g,与对照组（0.58±0.28）U/g差异有统计学意义（P〈0.01）,随后MPO含量降至正常水平;DDP用药后小鼠外周血MPO含量缓慢增高,用药后48 h达（12.78±2.78）U/L,与对照组（8.06±1.89）U/L比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论大剂量DDP在诱发小鼠急性肾功能衰竭的同时还可引起小鼠急性肝细胞的破坏,其发生可能与肝组织内白细胞的激活及MPO的释放有关。     

Effect of time of ovulation on fertilization after intrabursal transfer of spermatozoa (ITS): improvement of a new method for artificial insemination in mice

The timing of AI in relation to ovulation was examined to improve intrabursal transfer of spermatozoa (ITS) in mice, a new method of AI that involves transfer of spermatozoa into a space near the infundibulum. Two microliters of fresh epididymal B6C3F1 spermatozoa (containing 2 x 10(5) spermatozoa) were inseminated 1, 7, 12, or 17 h after hCG administration. At 1.7 days after ITS, normal cleaving embryos were recovered at rates ranging from 6 to 50% (21.5 +/- 15.8%; mean +/- S.D.), 40-100% (75.2 +/- 20.2%), 33-100% (60.1 +/- 19.3%), and 6-47% (22.7 +/- 13.3%), respectively. The rate obtained by ITS 7h after hCG administration was comparable (P > 0.05) to that (90.5 +/- 6.3%) for embryos obtained after natural mating (control), but rates at all other times were significantly less than control. To examine whether in vivo fertilization rate differs when spermatozoa from various mouse strains are used, B6C3F1 females were inseminated with spermatozoa from ICR, C57BL/6N and C3H/HeN mice 7 h after hCG administration. There were strain differences (P < 0.01 for ICR and B6C3F1 versus C57BL/6N and C3H/HeN) for in vivo fertilization rates (83.9 +/- 10.3%, 75.2 +/- 20.2%, 33.6 +/- 24.5% and 25.6 +/- 16.1% for ICR, B6C3F1, C57BL/6N and C3H/HeN, respectively). Similar rates (72.9 +/- 7.3% and 27.5 +/- 46.2% for ICR and C57BL/6N, respectively) were also obtained when oocytes were inseminated with spermatozoa of the same strain. In addition, females (B6C3F1) inseminated by ITS of fresh B6C3F1 spermatozoa 7 h after hCG administration yielded normal mid-gestational fetuses with an average litter size of 7.0 +/- 4.9, which seemed much higher than the previously reported litter size of 3.2. In conclusion, the timing of AI was considered a key factor affecting in vivo fertilization efficiency.     

A multi-target antisense approach against PDE4 and PDE7 reduces smoke-induced lung inflammation in mice

Background

Recent development in the field of COPD has focused on strategies aimed at reducing the underlying inflammation through selective inhibition of the phosphodiesterase type IV (PDE4) isoform. Although the anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator activity of selective PDE4 inhibitors has been well documented, their low therapeutic ratio and dose-dependent systemic side effects have limited their clinical utility. This study examined the effect of 2''-deoxy-2''-Fluoro-β-D-Arabinonucleic Acid (FANA)-containing antisense oligonucleotides (AON) targeting the mRNA for the PDE4B/4D and 7A subtypes on lung inflammatory markers, both in vitro and in vivo.

Methods

Normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells were transfected with FANA AON against PDE4B/4D and 7A alone or in combination. mRNA levels for target PDE subtypes, as well as secretion of pro-inflammatory chemokines were then measured following cell stimulation. Mice were treated with combined PDE4B/4D and 7A AON via endo-tracheal delivery, or with roflumilast via oral delivery, and exposed to cigarette smoke for one week. Target mRNA inhibition, as well as influx of inflammatory cells and mediators were measured in lung lavages. A two-week smoke exposure protocol was also used to test the longer term potency of PDE4B/4D and 7A AONs.

Results

In NHBE cells, PDE4B/4D and 7A AONs dose-dependently and specifically inhibited expression of their respective target mRNA. When used in combination, PDE4B/4D and 7A AONs significantly abrogated the cytokine-induced secretion of IL-8 and MCP-1 to near baseline levels. In mice treated with combined PDE4B/4D and 7A AONs and exposed to cigarette smoke, significant protection against the smoke-induced recruitment of neutrophils and production of KC and pro-MMP-9 was obtained, which was correlated with inhibition of target mRNA in cells from lung lavages. In this model, PDE AONs exerted more potent and broader anti-inflammatory effects against smoke-induced lung inflammation than roflumilast. Moreover, the protective effect of PDE4B/4D and 7A AON was maintained when a once-weekly treatment schedule was used.

Conclusion

These results indicate that inhaled AON against PDE4B/4D and 7A have unique effects on biomarkers that are believed to be important in the pathophysiology of COPD, which supports further development as a potential therapy in this disease.     

Effect on fertility of human chorionic gonadotrophin and uterine lavage with oxytocin performed after mating in Arabian barren mares

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the beneficial effect of hCG injected immediately after mating in Arabian barren mares treated with uterine lavage and oxytocin. Arabian barren mares (n = 36) with PMIE were subjected to detailed clinical examinations including palpation per rectum, vaginoscopy, and cytological examination. After mating the 36 mares were randomly divided into four groups. The mares in group 1 (n = 10) were immediately after breeding injected with hCG 3000 IU IM. Uterine lavage with 1 L of N-saline containing 4 million IU of crystalline penicillin and 4 g of streptomycin sulphate was performed 4 h after breeding. Then mares received two injections of oxytocin 40 IU IM 2 h apart after 6 h of mating. Mares in group 2 (n = 10) treated with uterine lavage and oxytocin as group 1. While mares in group 3 (n = 10) received uterine lavage only. A control group (n = 6) as group 4 did not received any treatment. The results of clinical examination indicated that 69.4% of PMIE mares were harboring severe endometritis and 30.6% with a moderate form of endometritis. Significant (P < 0.01) increase in lymphocytes were founded in barren mares included in this study. Higher pregnancy rate (P < 0.01) was founded in Arabian barren mares 80% injected with hCG immediately after breeding and uterine lavage and oxytocin. No significant difference was found in mares received uterine lavage and oxytocin and uterine lavage only. In a conclusion, administration of hCG immediately after mating and intrauterine lavage containing antibiotics performed 4 h and two injections of oxytocin 40 IU IM 2 h apart after 6 h of mating had improved fertility of Arabian barren mares.     

Developmental changes of serum thymosin alpha 1 and beta 4 in male and male castrated pigs: modulation by testosterone and human chorionic gonadotropin.

Thymic secretory peptides thymosin beta 4 and alpha 1 have possible endocrine roles in both immune and reproductive systems; thus, they should respond to endocrine feedback control mechanisms consistent with gonadal function. In an initial experiment, male pigs (boars; n = 90; 10/time) were bled at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 30, 36, and 96 wk of age before and 24 h after hCG stimulation. Thymosin beta 4 concentrations were significantly depressed 24 h after hCG challenge. Testosterone concentrations increased with age up to 36 wk and were further increased with hCG stimulation (p less than 0.01). In a subsequent experiment, boars (n = 12) and barrows (males castrated shortly after birth; n = 12) were blood-sampled, administered hCG, and sampled again 24 h later at 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 wk of age. Barrows (n = 12) were administered testosterone with the same protocol. Testosterone concentrations increased in boars with maturity and were further increased from the hCG stimulation (p less than 0.01). Thymosin beta 4 concentrations decreased with age in boars and barrows (p less than 0.01), and hCG challenge depressed thymosin alpha 1 and beta 4 concentrations in boars and thymosin beta 4 in barrows (p less than 0.01). Testosterone treatment of barrows also depressed thymosin beta 4 and alpha 1 in barrows (p less than 0.01). The depression of thymosins by hCG treatment points to a role for gonadotropins in altering circulating thymosin concentrations independent of, but in conjunction with, the effect of gonadal steroids.     

The effect of treatment with flunixin meglumine at different times relative to hCG administration on ovulation failure and luteal function in mares

Flunixin meglumine (FM), a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor, causes ovulatory failure in the mare. However, the effect of the FM treatment relative to the time of hCG administration on the ovulation failure has not been determined nor has its effect on the luteal function of treated mares. Estrous mares with a follicle ≥32 mm (range of 32-38 mm) were treated with 1.7 mg/kg b.w. of FM iv at zero, 12, 24 and 36 h (n=6), at 24 and 36 h (n=6), at 28 and 36 h (n=6), at 24h (n=6) or at 30 h (n=6) after treatment with 1500 IU hCG. One group received no FM (control, n=6). Progesterone concentrations were determined using RIA. Mares treated with FM 0-36 h and 24-36 h had higher (P<0.05) incidence of ovulatory failure (83 and 80%, respectively) than mares treated twice at 28 and 36 h, or once at 24 or at 30 h after hCG (16.7, 0 and 0%, respectively). The anovulatory follicles of FM treated mares luteinized and produced progesterone (>2 ng/ml). The progesterone concentration was lower in mares treated with FM at zero to 36 h and at 24-36 h after hCG than in the other groups. In conclusion, the FM administration was effective in blocking ovulation only when the treatment began ≤24 h after hCG and was continued every 12 h until ≥36 h. In addition, the FM-induced anovulatory follicles underwent luteinization of follicular cells with active production of progesterone.     

Reduced airway hyperresponsiveness by phosphodiesterase 3 and 4 inhibitors in guinea-pigs

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3, 4 and 5 inhibitors on antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in sensitized guinea-pigs. When the sensitized guinea-pigs were orally pre-treated with the selective PDE4 inhibitor, Ro 20-1724 (30 mg/kg), and studied 48h after OA, a significant reduction (P<0.01) of the leftward shift of the dose-response curve to ACh was noted, whereas it was ineffective at the lower dose (10 mg/kg). Administration of the selective PDE3 inhibitor, milrinone (30 mg/kg) also elicited a significant reduction (P<0.01) of the airway hyperresponsiveness, whereas the PDE5 inhibitor zaprinast (30 mg/kg) was ineffective. These results show that both PDE3 and PDE4 inhibitors are able to inhibit the antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in sensitized guinea-pigs and support the potential utility of selective PDE inhibitors in the treatment of asthma.     

Human oocytes reversibly arrested in prophase I by phosphodiesterase type 3 inhibitor in vitro

This study addresses the role of cAMP hydrolytic isoenzyme phosphodiesterase type 3 (PDE 3) modulation on human oocyte maturation in vitro. Presence of phosphodiesterase type 3 A (PDE 3A) mRNA was confirmed in human germinal vesicle-stage (GV) oocytes. Making use of a selective PDE 3 inhibitor, Org 9935 (10 microM), oocytes retrieved from immature follicles were arrested in prophase I with a high efficiency for up to 72 h. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were retrieved in the follicular phase of the cycle before or after exposure to endogenous LH or hCG administration in vivo and randomly distributed into maturation medium with or without the PDE 3 inhibitor. Previous exposure of small follicles to LH activity in vivo had no influence on the arresting capacity of the PDE 3 inhibitor. Reversal from pharmacological arrest leads to a progression through meiosis in a normal time frame with formation of a well-aligned metaphase plate. Ultrastructure analysis of COC derived from follicles between 8 and 12 mm showed that the induced extension of prophase I arrest in vitro resulted in cytoplasm changes but not in apparent nuclear changes during culture.     

Amphiregulin is a vitamin D3 target gene in squamous cell and breast carcinoma

1alpha,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)2D3] inhibits growth of cells derived from a variety of tumors in vitro and in vivo. Proliferation in vitro of human SCC25 cells, derived from a primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue, was blocked by 1,25(OH)2D3 and its analog EB1089. A similar effect was observed with 13-cis retinoic acid (RA), which has been used in chemoprevention of SCC. We identified amphiregulin, a member of the epidermal growth factor family, as a 1,25(OH)2D3 target gene in SCC25 cells. Induction of amphiregulin mRNA by 1,25(OH)2D3 was rapid and sustained over 48 h, and was unaffected by cycloheximide. 1,25(OH)2D3 also induced amphiregulin mRNA in estrogen receptor-positive and -negative human breast cancer cell lines, but not in LNCaP human prostate cancer cells. RAR- or RXR-specific retinoids did not affect amphiregulin mRNA levels in SCC25 cells; however, 13-cis RA partially blocked the response to 1,25(OH)2D3. Amphiregulin partially inhibited growth of SCC25 cells in culture. Our data show that amphiregulin is a 1,25(OH)2D3 target gene, and suggest that its induction may contribute to the growth inhibitory effects of 1,25(OH)2D3.     

Ovarian FAM110C (family with sequence similarity 110C): induction during the periovulatory period and regulation of granulosa cell cycle kinetics in rats

FAM110C belongs to a family of proteins that regulates cell proliferation. In the present study, the spatiotemporal expression pattern of FAM110C and its potential role were examined during the periovulatory period. Immature female rats were injected with equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) followed by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and ovaries or granulosa cells were collected at various times after hCG administration (n = 3/time point). Expression levels of Fam110c mRNA and protein were highly induced both in intact ovaries and granulosa cells at 8 to 12 h after hCG treatment. In situ hybridization analysis demonstrated Fam110c mRNA expression was induced in theca and granulosa cells at 4 h after hCG, primarily localized to granulosa cells at 8 h and 12 h, and decreased at 24 h after hCG. There was negligible Fam110c mRNA detected in newly forming corpora lutea. In rat granulosa cell cultures, hCG induced expression of Fam110c mRNA was inhibited by RU486, whereas NS398 and AG1478 had no effect, suggesting that Fam110c expression is regulated in part by the progesterone receptor pathway. Promoter activity analysis revealed that an Sp1 site was important for the induction of Fam110c expression by hCG. Overexpression of FAM110C promoted granulosa cells to arrest at the G(1) phase of the cell cycle but did not change progesterone levels. In summary, hCG induces Fam110c mRNA expression in granulosa cells by activation of an Sp1-binding site and the actions of progesterone. Our findings suggest that FAM110C may control granulosa cell differentiation into luteal cells by arresting cell cycle progression.