Antimitotic effects of usnic acid on different biological systems

Usnic acid is a biosynthesis product characteristic of several epiphytic lichens such as Evernia, Cladonia and Parmelia. Usnic acid has several interesting biological properties. It is an antibiotic and it also seems to exert an antimitotic action. It has even been postulated that usnic acid can play a role as an environmental indicator, since its concentration varies according to the presence of toxic agents. A series of tests have been run on different biological systems such as fungi, yeasts, plant cells and neoplastic human cell cultures in order to make a general evaluation of the properties of usnic acid and to highlight any analogy between its effects on phylogenetically distant organisms. The results obtained confirm some of the already known properties of usnic acid and identify concentration ranges that are active against cells from different organisms. Furthermore, at low concentrations, the acid displays a capacity to stimulate cell metabolism in some of the biological systems tested

Stromal-epithelial interactions modulate estrogen responsiveness in normal human endometrium

The coculture of endometrial epithelial cells (EEC) with stromal cells (ESC) allows achievement of an improved in vitro system for studying interactions between cells via soluble signals. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether 17β-estradiol and insulin can induce proliferation of EEC through ESC-secreted factors. No evidence of estrogen-induced EEC proliferation has been reported so far in the conventional culture methods. To this end, we used an in vitro bicameral coculture model where human EEC were grown on extracellular matrix-coated inserts applied in dishes containing ESC. Proliferation was assessed by tritiated thymidine incorporation. Homogeneity of endometrial cell populations was ascertained immunocytochemically. 17β-Estradiol did not induce any proliferative effect on EEC cultured alone. Endometrial epithelial cell proliferation was significantly enhanced in EEC/ESC cocultures; moreover, it was further increased by 17β-estradiol addition. Insulin increased proliferation in EEC cultured alone, but again the effect was more pronounced in EEC/ESC cocultures. Coincubation of 17β-estradiol and an antibody against insulin-like growth factor I (IGF 1) led to neutralization of ESC-mediated EEC proliferation. This work provides evidence that the effect of 17β-estradiol on human EEC proliferation may be mediated at least in part through ESC-secreted IGF 1. We also showed that insulin effect is also partially due to ESC activation

Alpha-Lipoic Acid May Improve the Clinical, Endocrine and Metabolic Features of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome through an Insulin-Sensitizing Effect and an Antioxidant Action

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Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and Human Corpus Luteum: A Possible Contribution to Reproductive Process

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Increased fibulin-1 plasma levels in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients: possible contribution to the link between PCOS and cardiovascular risk

Purpose: To investigate a possible relation between fibulin-1 plasma levels and PCOS. Design: ELISA quantitative determination of human fibulin-1. Methods: 50 women with PCOS and 40 control patients who attended the Unit of Human Reproductive Pathophysiology, Universit\ue0 Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, were enrolled. Ultrasonographic pelvic examinations, hormonal profile assays, oral tolerance test OGTT, lipid profile and ELISA quantitative determination of human fibulin-1 were performed. Results: Fibulin-1 levels were found to be statistically significantly higher in PCOS patients than in matched control women. No statistically significant positive correlation was found between fibulin-1 and AUCi, HOMA-IR, total cholesterol, LDL, AMH, androstenedione and FAI, whereas a statistically significant positive correlation was found between fibulin-1 and 17OHP (p = 0.016) in the PCOS group. However, multivariable linear regression analysis showed that 17 OH P did not independently predict fibulin-1 levels (p = 0.089). Conclusions: Our data could contribute to explain the hypothesized increased cardiovascular risk and vascular damage in patients with PCOS. A better understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in cardiometabolic disorders associated with PCOS is mandatory to identify new therapeutic strategies to eventually prevent the progression of cardiovascular diseases in these patients

"Hormone of darkness" and human reproductive process: direct regulatory role of melatonin in human corpus luteum

Corpora lutea were obtained from normally menstruating women (25\u201338 years old) in the midluteal phase (days 5\u20136 from ovulation) at the time of surgery for non-endocrine gynecologic diseases. The protocol was approved by the institutional review board of Universit\ue0 Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Rome and all patients provided written informed consent. The corpora lutea were dated on the basis of the presumptive day of ovulation (day 0) , determined by urinary luteinizing hormone (LH) peak, ultrasound detection of corpus luteum or disappearance of the dominant follicle, and a rise in the plasma P concentration. ELISA or EIA kit and immunohistochemistry were performed

Polarographic Assay Based on Hydrogen Peroxide Scavenging in Determination of Antioxidant Activity of Strong Alcohol Beverages

Total antioxidant (AO) activity of strong alcohol beverages such as wine and plum brandies, whiskeys, herbal and sweet fruit liqueurs have been assessed using a polarographic assay based on hydrogen peroxide scavenging (HPS). Rank of order of total AO activity, expressed as percentage of decrease of anodic oxidation current of hydrogen peroxide, was found analogous with total phenolic content estimated by Folin Ciocalteau (FC) assay and radical scavenging capacity against the stable free radical 1,1-dipheny1-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Application of the assay for surveying of a quarter century long maturation of plum brandy in oak barrel was demonstrated. In addition, influence of different storage conditions on preservation of AO activity of some herbal liqueurs was surveyed. Wide area of application of this simple, fast, low cost and reliable assay in analysis and quality monitoring of various strong alcohol beverages was confirmed