Immunolocalization of GnRHRI,gonadotropin receptors,PGR, and PGRMCI during follicular development in the rabbit ovary

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and localization of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor-I (GnRHRI), gonadotropin receptors (FSHR, LHR), progesterone receptor (PGR), and progesterone receptor membrane-binding component-I (PGRMCI) in the different developmental stages of the rabbit follicle. The ovaries were collected from four healthy New Zealand white rabbits, and the mRNA expression and protein levels of GnRHRI, FSHR, LHR, PGR, and PGRMCI were examined with real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. The results showed that GnRHRI, FSHR, LHR, PGR, and PGRMCI mRNA was expressed in the ovary; furthermore, we show cell-type specific and follicular development stage-specific expression of these receptors at the protein level. Specifically, all of the receptors were detected in the oocytes from the primordial to the tertiary follicles and in the granulosa and theca cells from the secondary and tertiary follicles. In the mature follicles, all receptors were primarily localized in the granulosa and theca cells. In addition, LHR was also localized in the granulosa cells from the primordial and primary follicles. With follicular development, the expression level of all of the receptors, except GnRHRI, in the follicles showed a tendency to decrease because the area of the follicle increased sharply. The expression level of GnRHRI, FSHR, and PGR in the granulosa and theca cells showed an increasing trend with ongoing follicular development. Interestingly, the expression level of FSHR in the oocytes obviously decreased from the primary to the tertiary follicles, whereas LHR in the oocytes increased from the secondary to tertiary follicles. In conclusion, the expression of GnRHRI, the gonadotropin receptors, PGR, and PGRMCI decreased from the preantral follicles (primordial, primary, and secondary follicles) to the tertiary follicles. The expression of GnRHRI and LHR in the oocytes increased from the secondary to the tertiary follicles, whereas FSHR decreased from the primary to the tertiary follicles. The expression of GnRHRI and PGR in the granulosa and theca cells increased from the secondary to the mature follicles. These observations suggest that these receptors play roles in follicular development and participate in the regulation of follicular development.     

Life and death of female gametes during oogenesis and folliculogenesis

The vertebrate ovary is an extremely dynamic organ in which excessive or defective follicles are rapidly and effectively eliminated early in ontogeny and thereafter continuously throughout reproductive life. More than 99% of follicles disappear, primarily due to apoptosis of granulosa cells, and only a minute fraction of the surviving follicles successfully complete the path to ovulation. The balance between signals for cell death and survival determines the destiny of the follicles. An abnormally high rate of cell death followed by atresia can negatively affect fertility and eventually lead irreversibly to premature ovarian failure. In this review we provide a short overview of the role of programmed cell death in prenatal differentiation of the primordial germ cells and in postnatal folliculogenesis. We also discuss the issue of neo-oogenesis. Next, we highlight molecules involved in regulation of granulosa cell apoptosis. We further discuss the potential use of scores for apoptosis in granulosa cells and characteristics of follicular fluid as prognostic markers for predicting the outcome of assisted reproduction. Potential therapeutic strategies for combating premature ovarian failure are also addressed.     

幽门螺杆菌相关性胃炎内镜下胃黏膜表现与中医辨证分型的相关性研究

目的探讨幽门螺杆菌相关性胃炎内镜下胃黏膜表现与中医辨证分型之间的相关性,为临床中医辨证论治提供理论依据。方法收集我院治疗且符合纳入标准的幽门螺杆菌相关性胃炎患者212例,记录患者临床资料并进行中医辨证分型,结合内镜下胃黏膜征象,对数据进行统计分析。结果 212例患者内镜下胃黏膜征象与中医辨证分型之间的相关性具有统计学意义(P0.01);所收集的病例中肝胃气滞证(21.7%)脾胃湿热证(20.1%)脾胃气虚证(18.4%)肝胃郁热证(13.7%)胃阴不足证(11.3%)脾胃虚寒证(7.5%)胃络瘀阻证(6.6%),各中医证型的发病率比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.01)。内镜下各胃黏膜征象之间,红斑渗出型以肝胃气滞证居多,隆起糜烂型以脾胃湿热证居多,胆汁反流型以肝胃气滞证居多,皱襞萎缩型以胃阴不足证居多,出血型以胃络瘀阻证居多,均具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论幽门螺杆菌相关性胃炎内镜下胃黏膜表现与中医辨证分型之间存在一定的相关性和规律性。     

Helicobacter pylori, T cells and cytokines: the "dangerous liaisons"

Helicobacter pylori infection is the major cause of gastroduodenal pathologies, but only a minority of infected patients develop chronic and life threatening diseases, as peptic ulcer, gastric cancer, B-cell lymphoma, or autoimmune gastritis. The type of host immune response against H. pylori is crucial for the outcome of the infection. A predominant H. pylori-specific Th1 response, characterized by high IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, and IL-12 production associates with peptic ulcer, whereas combined secretion of both Th1 and Th2 cytokines are present in uncomplicated gastritis. Gastric T cells from MALT lymphoma exhibit abnormal help for autologous B-cell proliferation and reduced perforin- and Fas-Fas ligand-mediated killing of B cells. In H. pylori-infected patients with autoimmune gastritis cytolytic T cells infiltrating the gastric mucosa cross-recognize different epitopes of H. pylori proteins and H+K+ ATPase autoantigen. These data suggest that peptic ulcer can be regarded as a Th1-driven immunopathological response to some H. pylori antigens, whereas deregulated and exhaustive H. pylori-induced T cell-dependent B-cell activation can support the onset of low-grade B-cell lymphoma. Alternatively, H. pylori infection may lead in some individuals to gastric autoimmunity via molecular mimicry.     

牙斑幽门螺杆菌与慢性胃炎之间的关系

目的研究牙斑幽门螺杆菌与慢性胃炎之间的关系。方法对胃炎组、胃炎治疗组分别进行牙斑和胃黏膜幽门螺杆菌培养和比较。结果牙斑细菌培养：胃炎组阳性14例,阳性率为12．8％;治疗组阳性11例,阳性率为10．1％。胃黏膜细菌培养：胃炎组阳性47例,阳性率为43．1％;治疗组阳性19例,阳性率为17．4％。治疗前后比较牙斑标本差异无显著性（P〉0．05）,胃黏膜标本差异有非常显著性（P〈0．001）。结论牙斑中确实存在着幽门螺杆菌,而且是胃内反复感染的源泉,以致慢性胃病反复发作,难以治愈。