76 research outputs found
Effects of retinoic acid on compensatory lung growth
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We investigated the effect of Retinoic acid in the growth of contralateral lung after pneumonectomy.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twentyone adult male Wistar albino rats from the same colony were used. They were divided into three groups (Group A, B and C). Group A undergone only left posterolateral thoracotomy. In Group B and C, the rats were subjected to left posterolateral thoracotomy and left pneumonectomy. In Group C, rats were given intraperitoneal Retinoic acid during the operation and continued to be given everyday postoperatively. Rats were sacrificed on the 10<sup>th </sup>day and their total body, right lung weights and right lung volumes were measured.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The volume and weight indices of the lung were found to be higher in Group C. In histopathological examination, there was a reduction in the mean number of alveoli in Group B and C. A significant rise in the mean dimension and average wall thickness of the alveolar structure were determined in Group C.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Retinoic acid contributes to the compensatory growth of the residual lung tissue.</p
Neuroendocrine factors regulate retinoic acid receptors in normal and hypoplastic lung development
Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is characterised by a spectrum of lung hypoplasia and consequent pulmonary hypertension, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates. Moreover, CDH has been associated with an increase in the levels of pulmonary neuroendocrine factors, such as bombesin and ghrelin, and a decrease in the action of retinoic acid (RA). The present study aimed to elucidate the interaction between neuroendocrine factors and RA. In vitro analyses were performed on Sprague-Dawley rat embryos. Normal lung explants were treated with bombesin, ghrelin, a bombesin antagonist, a ghrelin antagonist, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), RA dissolved in DMSO, bombesin plus RA and ghrelin plus RA. Hypoplastic lung explants (nitrofen model) were cultured with bombesin, ghrelin, bombesin antagonist or ghrelin antagonist. The lung explants were analysed morphometrically, and retinoic acid receptor (RAR) α, β and γ expression levels were assessed via Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry analysis of RAR was performed in normal and hypoplastic lungs 17.5 days post-conception (dpc). Compared with the controls, hypoplastic lungs exhibited significantly higher RARα/γ expression levels. Furthermore considering hypoplastic lungs, bombesin and ghrelin antagonists decreased RARα/γ expression. Normal lung explants (13.5 dpc) treated with RA, bombesin plus RA, ghrelin plus RA, bombesin or ghrelin exhibited increased lung growth. Moreover, bombesin and ghrelin increased RARα/γ expression levels, whereas the bombesin and ghrelin antagonists decreased RARα/γ expression. This study demonstrates for the first time that neuroendocrine factors function as lung growth regulators, sensitising the lung to the action of RA through up-regulation of RARα and RARγ.P.P.-T. was supported by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (ref. SFRH/BD/73660/2010). R.S.M. was supported by the ON.2 SR&TD Integrated Program (N-01-01-01-24-01-07) (ref. UMINHO/BPD/31/2013). The funding bodies had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
Mental and psychomotor development in Indonesian infants of mothers supplemented with vitamin A in addition to iron during pregnancy
Controlled alterations to maternal retinol status affect piglet birth weight and within litter uniformity
Controlled alterations to maternal retinol status affect piglet birth weight and within litter uniformity
The effect of dietary protein on the amino acid supply and threonine metabolism in the pregnant rat
Effects of pre- and post-mating nutritional status on hepatic function, progesterone concentration, uterine protein secretion and embryo survival in Meishan pigs
Effects of pre- and post-mating nutritional status on hepatic function, progesterone concentration, uterine protein secretion and embryo survival in Meishan pigs
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