15 research outputs found
Genistein stimulates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis in adult rats: morphological and hormonal study
Genistein, the soy isoflavone structurally similar to estradiol, is widely consumed for putative beneficial health effects. However, there is a lack of data about the genisteins’ effects in adult males, especially its effects on the hipothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Therefore, the present study was carried out to investigate the effects of genistein on the HPA axis in orchidectomized adult rats, and to create a parallel with those of estradiol. Changes in the hypothalamic corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons and pituitary corticotrophs (ACTH cells) were evaluated stereologically, while corticosterone and ACTH levels were determined biochemically. Orchidectomy (Orx) provoked the enlargement (p<0.05) of: hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus volume (60%), percentage of CRH neurons (23%), percentage of activated CRH neurons (45%); pituitary weight (15%) and ACTH level (57%). In comparison with Orx, estradiol treatment provoked the enlargement (p<0.05) of: percentage of CRH neurons (28%), percentage of activated CRH neurons (2.7-fold), pituitary weight (131%) and volume (82%), ACTH level (69%), the serum (103%) and adrenal tissue (4.8 fold) level of corticosterone. Clearly, Orx has induced the increase in HPA axis activity, which even augments after estradiol treatment. Also, compared to Orx, genistein treatment provoked the enhancement (p<0.05) of: percentage of activated CRH neurons (2.3-fold), pituitary weight (28%) and volume (21%), total number of ACTH cells (22%) ACTH level (45%), the serum (2.6-fold) and adrenal tissue (2.8 fold) level of corticosterone. It can be concluded that an identical tendency, concerning the HPA axis parameters, follows estradiol and genistein administration to the orchidectomized adult rat
Soy isoflavone effects on the adrenal glands of orchidectomized adult male rats: a comprehensive histological and hormonal study
Genistein (G) and related soy phytoestrogens
have been studied for potential usefulness in different
chronic diseases, and may ameliorate signs of aging.
They have a profound influence on the hypothalamopituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The present study utilized
the rat model of mild andropause to thoroughly evaluate
the effects of G and soy extract on the adrenal gland and
related blood hormones. Adult male rats were
orchidectomized (Orx) or sham operated (SO). Orx rats
received daily subcutaneous injections for 3 weeks of
solvent, or G (Orx+G, 30 mg/kg), or commercial soy
extract (Orx+Soy, 30 mg/kg). Adrenal glands and blood
were harvested at the end of the treatment for hormone
analyses, histology and design-based stereology.
Compared to SO rats Orx evoked significant (P<0.05)
changes including: the replicating cell number in the 3
adrenocortical zones; vascularity and cortical volume
and blood levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone
(ACTH), aldosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone
(DHEA). When comparing Orx vs. Orx+G groups the
following significant (P<0.05) changes were observed: a
further increase in number of replicating cells in zonas
glomerulosa and reticularis, vasculature network
presence, cortical and zona reticularis volumes, ACTH
and corticosterone concentrations, and lower DHEA
levels. Comparing Orx vs. Orx+Soy resulted in elevated
(P<0.05) ACTH and corticosterone levels. Structural
integrity of the adrenal gland was unchanged vs. SO rats.
Overall, G and soy extract treatments resulted in
proliferative activity and/or vasculature support in the
adrenal cortex. The data and current literature support
the impression of a beneficial effect of soy components
on the homeostatic response to stress
B-cell malignancies treated with targeted drugs and SARS-CoV-2 infection: A European Hematology Association Survey (EPICOVIDEHA)
Patients with lymphoproliferative diseases (LPD) are vulnerable to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Here, we describe and analyze the outcome of 366 adult patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) or non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) treated with targeted drugs and laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosed between February 2020 and January 2022. Median follow-up was 70.5 days (IQR 0-609). Most used targeted drugs were Bruton-kinase inhibitors (BKIs) (N= 201, 55%), anti-CD20 other than rituximab (N=61, 16%), BCL2 inhibitors (N=33, 9%) and lenalidomide (N=28, 8%).Only 16.2% of the patients were vaccinated with 2 or more doses of vaccine at the onset of COVID-19. Mortality was 24% (89/366) on day 30 and 36%(134/366) on the last day of follow-up. Age >75 years (p<0.001, HR 1.036), active malignancy (p<0.001, HR 2.215), severe COVID-19 (p=0.017, HR 2.270) and admission to ICU (p<0.001, HR 5.751) were risk factors for mortality at last day of follow up. There was no difference in OS rates in NHL vs CLL patients (p=0.306), nor in patients treated with or without BKIs (p=0.151). Mortality in ICU was 66% (CLL 61%, NHL 76%). Overall mortality rate decreased according to vaccination status, being 39% in unvaccinated patients, 32% and 26% in those having received one or two doses, respectively, and 20% in patients with a booster dose (p=0.245). Overall mortality rate dropped from 41% during the first semester of 2020 to 25% at the last semester of 2021. These results show increased severity and mortality from COVID-19 in LPDs patients treated with targeted drugs