Dehydroepiandrosterone inhibits the proliferation and induces the death of HPV-positive and HPV-negative cervical cancer cells through an androgen- and estrogen-receptor independent mechanism

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has a protective role against epithelial-derived carcinoma

Sol-gel synthesis and antioxidant properties of yttrium oxide nanocrystallites incorporating P-123

Yttrium oxide (Y2O3) nanocrystallites were synthesized by mean of a sol-gel method using two different precursors. Raw materials used were yttrium nitrate and yttrium chloride, in methanol. In order to promote oxygen vacancies, P-123 poloxamer was incorporated. Synthesized systems were heat-treated at temperatures from 700 °C to 900 °C. Systems at 900 °C were prepared in the presence and absence of P-123 using different molar ratios (P-123:Y = 1:1 and 2:1). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results revealed a characteristic absorption band of Y-O vibrations typical of Y2O3matrix. The structural phase was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), showing the characteristic cubic phase in all systems. The diffraction peak that presented the major intensity corresponded to the sample prepared from yttrium chloride incorporating P-123 in a molar ratio of P-123:Y = 2:1 at 900 °C. Crystallites sizes were determined by Scherrer equation as between 21 nm and 32 nm. Antioxidant properties were estimated by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) assays; the results are discussed. © 2014 by the authors

Monocyte low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (Lrp1) expression correlates with CIMT in Mexican hypertensive patients

Altres ajuts: This study was funded by Complementary Support for Researchers in the Consolidation Process SNI-1-2009 de CONACyT number 119410.Background: Arterial hypertension (HTA) represents a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is not yet known which specific molecular mechanisms are associated with the development of essential hypertension. Objective: In this study, we analyzed the association between LRP1 monocyte mRNA expression, LRP1 protein expression, and carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) of patients with essential hypertension. Methods: The LRP1 monocyte mRNA expression and protein levels and cIMT were quantified in 200 Mexican subjects, 91 normotensive (NT) and 109 hypertensive (HT). Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Results: HT patients group had highly significant greater cIMT as compared to NT patients (p=0.002) and this correlated with an increase in the expression of LRP1 mRNA expression (6.54 vs. 2.87) (p = 0.002) and LRP1 protein expression (17.83 vs. 6.25), respectively (p = 0.001). These differences were maintained even when we divided our study groups, taking into account only those who presented dyslipidemia in both, mRNA (p = 0.041) and proteins expression (p < 0.001). It was also found that Ang II mediated LRP1 induction on monocytes in a dose and time dependent manner with significant difference in NT vs. HT (0.195 ± 0.09 vs. 0.226 ± 0.12, p = 0.046). Conclusion: An increase in cIMT was found in subjects with hypertension, associated with higher mRNA and LRP1 protein expressions in monocytes, irrespective of the presence of dyslipidemias in HT patients. These results suggest that LRP1 upregulation in monocytes from Mexican hypertensive patients could be involved in the increased cIMT

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles induce the expression of early and late receptors for adhesion molecules on monocytes

BACKGROUND: There is growing evidence that exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO(2) NPs) could be harmful. Previously, we have shown that TiO(2) NPs induces endothelial cell dysfunction and damage in glial cells. Considering that inhaled particles can induce systemic effects and the evidence that nanoparticles may translocate out of the lungs, we evaluated whether different types of TiO(2) NPs can induce the expression of receptors for adhesion molecules on monocytes (U937 cell line). We evaluated the role of reactive oxygen spices (ROS) on these effects. METHODS: The expression of receptors for early (sLe(x) and PSGL-1) and late (LFA-1, VLA-4 and αVβ3) adhesion molecules was evaluated in U937 cells on a time course (3–24 h) using a wide range of concentrations (0.001-100 μg/mL) of three types of TiO(2) NPs (<25 nm anatase, 50 nm anatase-rutile or < 100 nm anatase). Cells exposed to TNFα were considered positive controls, and unexposed cells, negative controls. In some experiments we added 10 μmolar of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to evaluate the role of ROS. RESULTS: All tested particles, starting at a concentration of 0.03 μg/mL, induced the expression of receptors for early and late adhesion molecules. The largest increases were induced by the different molecules after 3 h of exposure for sLe(x) and PSGL-1 (up to 3-fold of the positive controls) and after 18 h of exposure for LFA-1, VLA-4 and αVβ3 (up to 2.5-fold of the positive controls). Oxidative stress was observed as early as 10 min after exposure, but the maximum peak was found after 4 h of exposure. Adhesion of exposed or unexposed monocytes to unexposed or exposed endothelial cells was tested, and we observed that monocytes cells adhere in similar amounts to endothelial cells if one of the two cell types, or both were exposed. When NAC was added, the expression of the receptors was inhibited. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that small concentrations of particles may activate monocytes that attach to endothelial cells. These results suggest that distal effects can be induced by small amounts of particles that may translocate from the lungs. ROS play a central role in the induction of the expression of these receptors. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12989-016-0147-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users