Host-probiotic interaction: new insight into the role of the endocannabinoid system by in vivo and ex vivo approaches

The endocannabinoid system plays an important role in regulating inflammation in several chronic or anomalous gut inflammatory diseases. In vivo and ex vivo studies showed that 30 days treatment with a probiotic mix activated the endocannabinoid system in zebrafish. These results highlight the potential of this probiotic mixture to regulate immune cell function, by inducing gene expression of toll-like receptors and other immune related molecules. Furthermore, TUNEL assay showed a decrease in the number of apoptotic cells, and this finding was supported by a reduction in pro-apoptotic factors and an increase in anti-apoptotic molecules. The results presented here strengthen the molecular mechanisms activated by probiotic mix controlling immune response and inflammation

5th International Workshop on the Biology of Fish Gametes Evidences of a series growing in numbers and quality

Asturiano Nemesio, JF.; Horváth, Á.; Carnevali, O. (2017). 5th International Workshop on the Biology of Fish Gametes Evidences of a series growing in numbers and quality. General and Comparative Endocrinology. 245:1-4. doi:10.1016/j.ygcen.2017.03.004S1424

Editorial: Endocrine Disruptors in Aquatic Vertebrates

As human activities progress, large amounts of substances are produced and released into the aquatic environment. Many of these substances can act as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) which can interact with the neuroendocrine system of exposed animals, altering their normal physiological function and their progeny. EDCs are substances capable -at different biological levels- of interfering with hormone synthesis and metabolism, receptors activation, gland structure, behavioral responses and epigenetic changes in exposed organisms. The objective of this Research Topic was i) to better understand the effects of these contaminants in real-world systems, at large spatial scales; ii) to demonstrate the mechanism of action of these EDCs in different phylogenetic groups.Fil: Moreira, Renata Guimarães. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Carnevali, Oliana. Università Politecnica Delle Marche; ItaliaFil: Lo Nostro, Fabiana Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental; Argentin

BPA-Induced Deregulation of Epigenetic Patterns: Effects on Female Zebrafish Reproduction

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the commonest Endocrine Disruptor Compounds worldwide. It interferes with vertebrate reproduction, possibly by inducing deregulation of epigenetic mechanisms. To determine its effects on female reproductive physiology and investigate whether changes in the expression levels of genes related to reproduction are caused by histone modifications, BPA concentrations consistent with environmental exposure were administered to zebrafish for three weeks. Effects on oocyte growth and maturation, autophagy and apoptosis processes, histone modifications, and DNA methylation were assessed by Real-Time PCR (qPCR), histology, and chromatin immunoprecipitation combined with qPCR analysis (ChIP-qPCR). The results showed that 5 μg/L BPA down-regulated oocyte maturation-promoting signals, likely through changes in the chromatin structure mediated by histone modifications, and promoted apoptosis in mature follicles. These data indicate that the negative effects of BPA on the female reproductive system may be due to its upstream ability to deregulate epigenetic mechanism