Effects of a highly purified antiserum to FSH on testicular function in immature rats

Effects of highly purified antiserum (AS) to follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) on testicular function was studied in immature rats. Treatment with FSHAS for 10 days, from 25-34, decreased weights of the testis (p .001) and increased weights of the epididymis (p .05). Numbers of the cell types in the seminiferous epithelium, particularly Type A spermatogonia pachytene spermatocytes and spermatids, were markedly reduced, possibly due to: 1) decreased division of the initial stem cells, 2) impairment of division of Type B spermatogonia and their transformation to pachytene spermatocytes, and 3) desquamation and degeneration of pachytene spermatocytes and spermatids. FSHAS also affected the sertoli cell function which was reflected in the decreased binding of androgens to supernatant fraction of the testis and epididymides. Treatment with luteinizing hormone-AS for 5 days did not affect testicular function but the binding of androgens to the supernatants of the caput and cauda epididymides and ventral prostate was significantly reduced (p .001). These data indicate that FSH is necessary for the maintenance of the cellular integrity of the seminiferous epithelium during the completion of the 1st wave of spermatogenesis.     

Studies on follicular growth in the immature rat and hamster: Effect of a single injection of gonadotropin or estrogen on the rate of3H-thymidine incorporation into ovarian DNAin vitro

Initiation of follicular growth by specific hormonal stimuli in ovaries of immature rats and hamsters was studied by determining the rate of incorporation of³H-thymidine into ovarian DNAin vitro. Incorporation was considered as an index of DNA synthesis and cell multiplication. A single injection of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin could thus maximally stimulate by 18 hr³H-thymidine incorporation into DNA of the ovary of immature hamsters. Neutralization of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin by an antiserum to ovine follicle stimulating hormone only during the initial 8–10 hr and not later could inhibit the increase in³H-thymidine incorporationin vitro observed at 18 hr, suggesting that the continued presence of gonadotropin stimulus was not necessary for this response. The other indices of follicular growth monitored such as ovarian weight, serum estradiol and uterine weight showed discernible increase at periods only after the above initial event. A single injection of estrogen (diethyl stilbesterol or estradiol-l7β) could similarly cause 18 hr later, a stimulation in the rate of incorporation of³H-thymidine into DNAin vitro in ovaries of immature rats. The presence of endogenous gonadotropins, however, was obligatory for observing this response to estrogen. Evidence in support of the above was two-fold: (i) administration of antiserum to follicle stimulating hormone or luteinizing hormone along with estrogen completely inhibited the increase in³H-thymidine incorporation into ovarian DNAin vitro; (ii) a radioimmunological measurement revealed following estrogen treatment, the presence of a higher concentration of endogenous follicle stimulating hormone in the ovary. Finally, administration of varying doses of ovine follicle stimulating hormone along with a constant dose of estrogen to immature rats produced a dose-dependent increment in the incorporation of³H-thymidine into ovarian DNAin vitro. These observations suggested the potentiality of this system for developing a sensitive bioassay for follicle stimulating hormone.     

Cellular and Epstein-Barr virus specific DNA polymerases in virus-producing Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines.

We have determined the levels of cellular DNA polymerases and Epstein-Barr virus specific DNA polymerase in three Burkitt's lymphoma cell lines producing varying amounts of EBV, one of which was induced by 12-0-tetra-decanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). There was a proportional increase in the level of EBV-DNA polymerase with an increase in the percent of virus-producing cells. However, there was a reciprocal relationship between the levels of EBV-DNA polymerase and DNA polymerase alpha i.e., in cell line containing the highest level of EBV-DNA polymerase, activity of DNA polymerase alpha, but not of DNA polymerase beta, was reduced to an insignificantly low level. TPA does not have any direct effect on activities of either EBV-DNA polymerase or DNA polymerase alpha. EBV-DNA polymerases isolated from cells grown with or without TPA are indistinguishable in their properties such as elution position on phosphocellulose column, molecular weight, mono and divalent cation requirements, pH optimum, and other requirements for optimum activity. Addition of crude extracts of cells grown in presence of TPA to the purified DNA polymerase alpha did not inhibit its activity indicating that the observed loss was not due to any specific inhibitor present in TPA treated cells. Raji, a nonproducer cell line, did not contain EBV-DNA polymerase. There was no induction of EBV-DNA polymerase when Raji cells were grown in presence of TPA. The phenomenon of reduction in the levels of DNA polymerase alpha in cells induced to produce EBV may represent a mechanism by which the host DNA replication is shut off following virus infection.     

Pathological implications of Gymnoascaceae

Summary The Gymnoascaceae have long been regarded by many as the perfect stages of certain imperfect dermatophytic fungi. In recent years increasing numbers of reports have been published in which the Gymnosacaceae have been isolated from pathological conditions and have often been regarded as at least potential pathogens. This paper reviews previous reports and presents certain new isolation data which should lead to a better understanding and appreciation of the role of these fungi in clinical investigations. Evidence supporting pathogencity of the Gymnoascaceae is suggestive but inconclusive.

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Zusammenfassung Manche Verfasser haben die Gymnoascaceae schon lange als die perfekten Formen von gewissen imperfekten Dermatophyten betrachtet. In den letzten Jahren ist eine wachsende Anzahl von Berichten veröffentlich worden bezüglich Gymnoascaceae, die vom pathologischen Material gezüchtet und mindestens als bedingt pathogen betrachtet worden sind. Dieser Bericht gibt eine Übersicht von früheren Befunden und bringt manche neuen Tatsachen von neuen Isolationen. Sie sollen zu einem besseren Verständnis und zu einer besseren Auswertung der Rolle dieser Hyphomyceten in der klinischen Untersuchung führen. Die Beweise betreffs der Pathogenität der Gymnoascaceae sind lediglich mutmasslich und nicht konklusiv.

     

Thioredoxin and HSP90α modulate ASK1–JNK1/2 signaling in stressed hepatocytes of Mugil cephalus

Induction of antioxidant proteins like thioredoxin (Trx) and heat shock protein 90α (HSP90α) is a crucial step in the cellular response to oxidative stress. Here, we report the impact of environmental stress on Trx and HSP90α expressions in freshly isolated hepatocytes of Mugil cephalus living in either a contaminated (Test; Ennore) or uncontaminated (Control; Kovalam) estuary. Modulation in the activities of signal transduction molecules like apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) and c-Jun NH₂-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2) were also investigated to understand their functional role under natural stressed condition. The expression pattern of the proteins was determined by immunoblotting and the relationship between the proteins was identified by regression analysis. Test fish hepatocytes demonstrated significant upregulation (P < 0.05) in the levels of Trx and HSP90α and insignificant inductions in the expression pattern of ASK1 and JNK1/2 than control fish hepatocytes. These findings provide direct evidence that Trx and HSP90α induction in fish hepatocytes under stress may aid cell survival by negatively regulating ASK1 expression and thereby functionally antagonizing the apoptotic role of JNK1/2 in natural aquatic systems.     

Docking Simulation and Anti-Inflammatory Profile of Some Synthesized Heterodimer of Pyrazole

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - In the present studies, novel pyrazole derivatives have been synthesized linked through various linkers for the anti-inflammatory evaluation. The...     

Molecular docking analysis of beta-catenin with compounds derived from Lycopersicon esculentum

Beta-catenin is linked with colorectal cancer (CRC). Therefore, it is of interest to design and develop novel compounds to combat CRC. Hence, we document compounds (chlorogenic acid, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, quercetin and vanillic acid) from Lycopersicon esculentum with optimal binding features for further consideration.