Androgen levels and apoptosis in the testis during postnatal development of finasteride-treated male rat offspring

Introduction. The hormone-dependent events that occur throughout the first wave of spermatogenesis, such as the establishment of the number of Sertoli cells (SCs) and spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) within the seminiferous cords and the setting up of the blood-testis barrier, are important for adult male fertility. Any changes in the T/DHT ratio can result in male subfertility or even infertility. In this study we aimed to evaluate effects of paternal exposure to 5-alpha reductase type 2 inhibitor, finasteride on litter size, androgen levels and germ cell apoptosis in male offspring during postnatal development. Material and methods. The subjects of the study were 7, 14, 21/22, 28, and 90-day-old Wistar male rats (F1:Fin) born from females fertilized by finasteride-treated rats. Offspring born from untreated parental animals were used as a control group (F1:Control). Animals and the collected testes were weighed, blood and intratesticular levels of T and DHT were measured by ELISA, and the apoptotic index of testicular cells was evaluated by TUNEL technique. Results. We observed difficulties in obtaining male newborns from female rats fertilized by finasteride-treated male rats. In the F1:Fin rats, changes in the body and testes weights occurred, and a lower number of apoptotic cells was found during postnatal maturation of the seminiferous epithelium. Changes in androgen concentrations during the first spermatogenesis wave and adult life were also evident. Conclusion. Finasteride treatment of male adult rats may not only cause a decrease in the fertility of parental rats, but also could lead to incorrect, androgen-sensitive course of spermatogenesis in their offspring

Verifi cation of myths on diabetic diet

Wstęp. W środowisku pacjentów chorych na cukrzycękrąży wiele mitów dotyczących produktów spożywczych,które mają obniżać stężenie glukozy we krwilub przynajmniej go nie podnosić, mimo że zawierająwęglowodany. Celem badania było określenie stanuwiedzy na temat wpływu popularnych i często stosowanych produktów spożywczych na wartość glikemiiwśród chorych na cukrzycę oraz wśród średniegopersonelu medycznego.Materiał i metody. Grupa badana obejmowała 162 chorych na cukrzycę, członków Polskiego StowarzyszeniaDiabetyków, oraz grupę kontrolną 89 zdrowych pielęgniarek z dwóch szczecińskich szpitali. Badanychpoproszono o wypełnienie ankiety weryfi kującej ichwiedzę na temat wpływu na glikemię takich produktów,jak: grejpfrut, miód, kawa zbożowa, czekolada dladiabetyków, zupa mleczna z płatkami oraz karkówka.Wyniki. Najwięcej błędnych odpowiedzi zarównowśród chorych, jak i personelu zostało zaznaczonychw przypadku grejpfruta (49% chorych i 72% personelu,p < 0,01) oraz karkówki (67% chorych i 71% personelu,NS). Najwięcej prawidłowych odpowiedzi pojawiło sięw przypadku miodu (73% chorych i 78% personelu, NS)oraz zupy mlecznej (71% chorych oraz 63% personelu, NS). Wiek, płeć, czas trwania cukrzycy nie mają wpływu na poziom wiedzy pacjentów z zakresu oddziaływania wybranych produktów spożywczych na wartość glikemii.Poziom wiedzy chorych leczonych insuliną stosowanąw monoterapii lub w leczeniu skojarzonym z lekami doustnymi jest wyższy niż osób stosujących leki doustne. Wśród personelu medycznego stwierdzono, że osoby młodsze charakteryzują się większą wiedzą z zakresu diety cukrzycowej niż osoby starsze.Wnioski. 1. Poziom edukacji pacjentów oraz średniegopersonelu szpitala z zakresu wpływu popularnychproduktów na glikemię chorego jest niezadowalający.2. Na poziom wyedukowania pacjentów nie wpływawiek, płeć oraz czas trwania cukrzycy, natomiast jest onnieco lepszy u chorych leczonych insuliną. 3. Młodszywiek personelu szpitalnego wiąże się z nieco lepszympoziomem wiedzy na temat diety cukrzycowej.Background. Among diabetic patients, there are many myths concerning food products which are believed tolower or — at least — not infl uence the glucose level,even though they contain carbohydrates. The aim ofthis study was to assess the knowledge of diabeticpatients and hospital nurses concerning popular foodproducts and their impact on blood glucose levels.Material and methods. The study group consistedof 162 patients with diabetes (DM), members of thePolish Diabetes Association; the control group (C) consisted of 89 healthy nurses from two hospitals inSzczecin, Poland. Participants were asked to completea questionnaire on products common in diabetic dietand their infl uence on blood glucose levels. The products were: grapefruit, honey, wheat coffee, diabeticchocolate, milk soup with fl akes and pork chuck steak.Results. The highest percentage of wrong answers wasgiven for pork (DM 67%; C 71%, ns) and grapefruit (DM49%; C 72%, p < 0.01), while the most correct answerswere for honey (DM 73%; C 78%, ns) and milk soup (DM 71%; C 63%, ns). There was no relationship between the level of knowledge of diabetic diet and age, sex or duration of DM. Patients on insulin monotherapy or combinations of insulin with oral agents are more educated than patients treated with drugs. Negative correlation between age and the level of knowledge was observed in the group of nurses.Conclusions. 1. The level of knowledge concerningproducts commonly used in diabetic diet among patientswith diabetes and hospital nurses is low. 2. Thelevel of patient’s education is not related to sex, age,or duration of diabetes but it is little higher in subjectstreated with insulin. 3. Younger age of medical staffcorrelates with their higher level of knowledge

Reduction of sitting time has a positive effect on the decrease of insulin resistance in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Abstract Introduction: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects a large part of the human population. One of the major environmental factors associated with the risk of NAFLD is the lack of physical activity. Aim: To compare the level of physical activity and the insulin resistance in NAFLD patients. Material and methods: Thirty patients with NAFLD underwent a six-month dietary intervention based on the principles of classical dietetics. Data about diet and physical activity was based on 72-hour nutrition diaries and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Standard blood biochemical analyses were carried out before and after diet at the University Hospital Laboratory. Results: The study showed that total physical activity and physical activity in leisure time are negatively correlated with insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p < 0.05). Insulin (p < 0.05), body weight (p < 0.05), and waist-hip ratio (WHR) (p < 0.05) were also negatively correlated with physical activity in free time. In addition, we noticed a positive correlation between sitting time and the risk of insulin resistance, in the case of HOMA-IR and insulin concentration (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Dietary intervention and a physical activity plan are important factors in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Taking regular exercise increases insulin sensitivity and prevents further development of the disease. It seems that diet and physical activity are not the only one risk factors of NAFLD. Our study reveals that the reduction of sitting time has a positive effect on the level of insulin and it reduces insulin resistance in patients with NAFLD

Filaggrin inhibits generation of CD1a neolipid antigens by house dust mite-derived phospholipase.

Atopic dermatitis is a common pruritic skin disease in which barrier dysfunction and cutaneous inflammation play a role in pathogenesis. Mechanisms underlying the associated inflammation are not fully understood, and while CD1a-expressing Langerhans cells are known to be enriched within lesions, their role in clinical disease pathogenesis has not been studied. Here we observed that house dust mite (HDM) generates neolipid antigens for presentation by CD1a to T cells in the blood and skin lesions of affected individuals. HDM-responsive CD1a-reactive T cells increased in frequency after birth and showed rapid effector function, consistent with antigen-driven maturation. To define the underlying mechanisms, we analyzed HDM-challenged human skin and observed allergen-derived phospholipase (PLA2) activity in vivo. CD1a-reactive T cell activation was dependent on HDM-derived PLA2 and such cells infiltrated the skin after allergen challenge. Filaggrin insufficiency is associated with atopic dermatitis, and we observed that filaggrin inhibits PLA2 activity and inhibits CD1a-reactive PLA2-generated neolipid-specific T cell activity from skin and blood. The most widely used classification schemes of hypersensitivity, such as Gell and Coombs are predicated on the idea that non-peptide stimulants of T cells act as haptens that modify peptides or proteins. However our results point to a broader model that does not posit haptenation, but instead shows that HDM proteins generate neolipid antigens which directly activate T cells. Specifically, the data identify a pathway of atopic skin inflammation, in which house dust mite-derived phospholipase A2 generates antigenic neolipids for presentation to CD1a-reactive T cells, and define PLA2 inhibition as a function of filaggrin, supporting PLA2 inhibition as a therapeutic approach

Cyclin-Dependent Kinases (CDK) and Their Role in Diseases Development–Review

Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are involved in many crucial processes, such as cell cycle and transcription, as well as communication, metabolism, and apoptosis. The kinases are organized in a pathway to ensure that, during cell division, each cell accurately replicates its DNA, and ensure its segregation equally between the two daughter cells. Deregulation of any of the stages of the cell cycle or transcription leads to apoptosis but, if uncorrected, can result in a series of diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease), and stroke. This review presents the current state of knowledge about the characteristics of cyclin-dependent kinases as potential pharmacological targets

Concentrations of Ca, Mg, P, Prostaglandin E2 in Bones and Parathyroid Hormone; 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3; 17-β-estradiol; Testosterone and Somatotropin in Plasma of Aging Rats Subjected to Physical Training in Cold Water

Exposure to low temperatures can be considered a stressor, which when applied for a specific time can lead to adaptive reactions. In our study we hypothesized that cold, when applied to the entire body, may be a factor that positively modifies the aging process of bones by improving the mechanisms related to the body’s mineral balance. Taking the above into account, the aim of the study was to determine the concentration of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and phosphorus (P) in bones, and to examine bone density and concentrations of the key hormones for bone metabolism, namely parathyroid hormone (PTH), somatotropin (GH), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, 17-β estradiol, testosterone (T) in plasma, and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in the bone of aging rats subjected to physical training in cold water. The animals in the experiment were subjected to a series of swimming sessions for nine weeks. Study group animals (male and female respectively) performed swimming training in cold water at 5 ± 2 °C and in water with thermal comfort temperature (36 ± 2 °C). Control animals were kept in a sedentary condition. Immersion in cold water affects bone mineral metabolism in aging rats by changing the concentration of Ca, Mg, and P in the bone, altering bone mineral density and the concentration of key hormones involved in the regulation of bone mineral metabolism. The effect of cold-water immersion may be gender-dependent. In females, it decreases Ca and Mg content in bones while increasing bone density and 17-β estradiol and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 levels, and with a longer perspective in aging animals may be positive not only for bone health but also other estrogen-dependent tissues. In males, cold water swimming decreased PTH and PGE2 which resulted in a decrease in phosphorus content in bones (with no effect on bone density), an increase in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, and increase in T and GH, and may have positive consequences especially in bones and muscle tissue for the prevention of elderly sarcopenia

Pro-inflammatory properties of cadmium

Cadmium is a toxic and carcinogenic heavy metal that nowadays constitutes a serious environmental health problem. The aim of this study is to review the effects of cadmium on selected inflammatory mediators and markers, such as NF-κB and AP-1 transcription factors, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β cytokines, IL-8 or MIP-2 chemokine, MPO, iNOS, MMPs and COX-2 enzymes, PGE2 (product of COX-2 enzyme), ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and PECAM-1 adhesion molecules, and CRP. The research strategy identified articles available in Medline, published between 1998 and 2012; we included both in vivo and in vitro studies carried out on humans and rodents. Most of the reviewed research findings suggest that cadmium in micromolar concentrations (especially in the 1-10 μM range) causes up-regulation of the mediators and markers of inflammation, and appears to have pro-inflammatory properties. However, it is worth mentioning that a contradictory or even opposite hypothesis exists, which suggests cadmium to be an anti-inflammatory factor. Further research including detailed histological analyses should solve this discrepancy. Nevertheless, it appears that the main reason for these contradictory findings is the experimental setup: different biological systems analyzed and different doses of cadmium applied

Vanadium Compounds as Pro-Inflammatory Agents: Effects on Cyclooxygenases

This paper discusses how the activity and expression of cyclooxygenases are influenced by vanadium compounds at anticancer concentrations and recorded in inorganic vanadium poisonings. We refer mainly to the effects of vanadate (orthovanadate), vanadyl and pervanadate ions; the main focus is placed on their impact on intracellular signaling. We describe the exact mechanism of the effect of vanadium compounds on protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTP), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), PLCγ, Src, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades, transcription factor NF-κB, the effect on the proteolysis of COX-2 and the activity of cPLA2. For a better understanding of these processes, a lot of space is devoted to the transformation of vanadium compounds within the cell and the molecular influence on the direct targets of the discussed vanadium compounds