Leptyna i neuropeptyd Y w surowicy u dzieci chorych na astmę oskrzelową o lekkim przebiegu

Leptin (LEP) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) are involved in the maintenance of energy balance and create regulatory loops on central and peripheral stage between neuropeptides and hormones, additionally regulated by other physiological stimuli. According to data confirming tendency to overweight and obesity in asthmatic children we have examined the influence of mild asthma on neurohormonal balance. 43 children, aged 7-17 years, including 27 steroid naive mild asthmatic children aged (mean ± SD)12.3 ± 2.6 years and 16 age matched healthy children participated in the study. Serum LEP and NPY levels were measured radioimmunologically (RIA). Serum leptin level in asthmatic children was 2.84 ± 2.1ng/ml and did not differ to that of healthy children -3.49 ± 1.65 ng/ml , both in boys (p = 0,85) and girls (0,49). Similarly, we did not observe any differences between NPY levels in asthmatic (113,5 ± 31,1 μmol/ml) and healthy (98.5 ± 21.9 μmol/ml (p = 0,17)), irrespective to sex. Significant correlations between leptin levels and body mass index (BMI) in asthmatics (r = 0,62, p = 0,01) and healthy children (r = 0,56, p = 0,02) were observed. We conclude, that mild asthma in children seems not to affect neurohormonal regulation of energy balance

Effect of tamoxifen on sex steroid concentrations in chicken ovarian follicles

The aim of the present investigation was to study the effect of tamoxifen (TAM), an oestrogen receptor antagonist, on the concentrations of sex hormones in chicken ovarian follicles. The experiment was carried out on Hy-line hens which were randomly divided into two groups (control and experimental). TAM was given at a dose of 4 mg/hen ( per os ) at first once a day for 7 consecutive days, and subsequently four times a day for the next 6 days. Control hens received placebo. Birds were killed on the day after the last TAM treatment. From the dissected ovaries the following compartments were isolated: stroma with follicles < 1 mm, white non-hierarchical (1–4 mm and 4–8 mm) and yellow hierarchical follicles (F6-F1; 18–35 mm). The concentrations of the sex steroids progesterone (P4), testosterone (T) and oestradiol (E2) in the ovarian follicles were determined by radioimmunoassay. In the TAM-treated group, a gradual decrease in egglaying rate was observed from the 4th day of the experiment. Eventually, egg laying stopped entirely on the 12th day of the experiment. TAM significantly decreased the weight of the ovary and affected the sex hormone concentrations in the ovarian follicles. Following TAM treatment (1) a significant increase in E2 and T concentrations in the stroma, white follicles and the F4 and F1 follicles, (2) a significant decrease in E2 and T concentrations in the F2 follicle, and (3) a significant decline of P4 in the F4 to F1 follicles were observed. The results indicate that the blockade of oestrogen receptors by TAM significantly modulates the process of chicken ovarian steroidogenesis

The expression of pituitary FSHβ and LHβ

mRNA and gonadal FSH and LH receptor mRNA in the chicken embry