High-dose synthetic progestogens inhibit foam and smooth muscle cell proliferation and atherosclerotic plaque formation in aortas of rabbits fed a hypercholesterolemic diet

Female rabbits on a hypercholesterolemic atherogenic diet were treated with high doses of the synthetic progestogens norethisterone and medroxyprogesterone acetate in order to clarify the effect and possibly some of the mechanism of action of these hormones on diet-induced atherogenesis. We employed morphometric studies to determine the surface area of the rabbit aorta occupied by and the maximum thickness of lipid plaques. Autoradiography with tritiated thymidine was performed to demonstrate the effect of the progestogens on cell proliferation, which plays a key role in atherogenesis. Medroxyprogesterone acetate-treated and, above all, norethisterone-treated animals exhibit a more marked reduction of atherosclerosis than control rabbits fed the same diet. Our results suggest that both progestogens we used inhibit the development of atherosclerosis mainly by blocking the proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the tunica media and the cell population of the plaque

High-dose synthetic progestogens inhibit foam and smooth muscle cell proliferation and atherosclerotic plaque formation in aortas of rabbits fed a hypercholesterolemic diet

Female rabbits on a hypercholesterolemic atherogenic diet were treated with high doses of the synthetic progestogens norethisterone and medroxyprogesterone acetate in order to clarify the effect and possibly some of the mechanism of action of these hormones on diet-induced atherogenesis. We employed morphometric studies to determine the surface area of the rabbit aorta occupied by and the maximum thickness of lipid plaques. Autoradiography with tritiated thymidine was performed to demonstrate the effect of the progestogens on cell proliferation, which plays a key role in atherogenesis. Medroxyprogesterone acetate-treated and, above all, norethisterone-treated animals exhibit a more marked reduction of atherosclerosis than control rabbits fed the same diet. Our results suggest that both progestogens we used inhibit the development of atherosclerosis mainly by blocking the proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the tunica media and the cell population of the plaque

High-dose synthetic progestogens inhibit foam and smooth muscle cell proliferation and atherosclerotic plaque formation in aortas of rabbits fed a hypercholesterolemic diet

Female rabbits on a hypercholesterolemic atherogenic diet were treated with high doses of the synthetic progestogens norethisterone and medroxyprogesterone acetate in order to clarify the effect and possibly some of the mechanism of action of these hormones on diet-induced atherogenesis. We employed morphometric studies to determine the surface area of the rabbit aorta occupied by and the maximum thickness of lipid plaques. Autoradiography with tritiated thymidine was performed to demonstrate the effect of the progestogens on cell proliferation, which plays a key role in atherogenesis. Medroxyprogesterone acetate-treated and, above all, norethisterone-treated animals exhibit a more marked reduction of atherosclerosis than control rabbits fed the same diet. Our results suggest that both progestogens we used inhibit the development of atherosclerosis mainly by blocking the proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the tunica media and the cell population of the plaque

The pesticide fate tool for groundwater vulnerability assessment within the geospatial decision support system LandSupport

The protection of groundwater resources from non-point-source pollutants, such as those coming from agricultural practices, is the focus of several European Directives, including the Water Framework Directive and the Pesticide Directive. Besides the environmental goals to be reached by the single EU member state, these directives clearly underline the role of experts in supporting planners and public authorities to fulfil these objectives. This work presents a new web-based, freely-available dynamical tool, named the pesticide fate tool, developed within the geospatial Decision Support system (DSS), LandSupport, for the assessment of groundwater vulnerability, specific for type of pollutant. The tool is based on the extended transfer function model, specifically expanded to consider the transport of reactive solutes, such as pesticides. The work describes the tool implementation for three case studies, with different spatial scales and pedo-climatic conditions: Valle Telesina, IT, Marchfeld, AT, and Zala County, HU. Principal inputs of the tool are: soil physical and hydrological properties, climate, groundwater table depth, type of crops and related pesticides. Results of the model are shown through the LandSupport GUI both as coloured maps, representing the relative concentration of pesticide at the arrival to the water table at the end of the simulation period, and as cumulative charts of the solute arrival at the depth of interest. The three case studies are shown as examples of application of the LandSupport DSS in supporting the Water and Pesticides directives, demonstrating that it represents a valuable instrument for public authorities, environmental planners, as well as agricultural extension services. For example, large differences are shown by soils in filtering the tetraconazole (99.9% vs 76%), a fungicide used in viticulture, or different percentage of arrival (0.32% and 0,01%) to the groundwater table are shown for two herbicides (Tribenuron and Florasulam) largely used to control annual dicotyledonous weeds

APPROACH IN GLUCOCORTICOID INDUCED OSTEOPOROSIS (GIO) PREVENTION: RESULTS FROM THE ITALIAN MULTICENTER OBSERVATIONAL EGEO STUDY

Glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) is the most frequent cause of secondary osteoporosis. GIO is linked to GC daily assumption with maximum effect within first months of treatment and decreasing to basal levels as the therapy is discontinued. In Italy, primary prevention of GIO is suggested when GC therapy (prednisone >5mg/day or equivalent) is taken for longer than 3 months. Lazio GISMO (Italian Group for Study and Diagnosis of Bone Metabolism Diseases) group organized the GC and Osteoporosis Epidemiology study (EGEO) to evaluate physician's approach in preventing GIO. The study involved 19 osteoporosis centres. Patients taking long-term GC therapy were recruited and information collected: medical history and anthropometric data, GC therapy, primary disease, physician's specialty, osteopororosis screening and pharmacological intervention. 1334 patients were included in the study. Mean age was 63\ub113 years; 243 (18%) patients had a history of falls from standing position in the previous 12 months, 78 (35%) vertebral fractures, 91 (41%) fractures other than vertebral, 27 (12%) femoral fractures and 27 (12%) multiple sites fractures. The molecules of GC more often prescribed were prednisone and 6-metil prednisolone. 1040 patients (78%) were taking GC longer than 6 months. GC therapy was prescribed more frequently by rheumatologists (62%). Anti-osteoporotic drugs for GIO prevention were prescribed in 431 patients (32%). Only 27% of patients (360) received Calcium and Vitamin D supplements and 39% of patients (319) treated by rheumatologists received antiresorptive drugs. In conclusion our data show that in Italy, as already described elsewhere, only a small subpopulation of GC treated patients was supported by an anti-osteoporotic therapy, indicating the need to further stimulate awareness of both patients and specialists, prescribing GC therapy, to an appropriate and prompt GIO prevention