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Marinić M, Lynch VJ. Relaxed constraint and functional divergence of the progesterone receptor (PGR) in the human stem-lineage. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008666. [PMID: 32302297 PMCID: PMC7190170 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The steroid hormone progesterone, acting through the progesterone receptor (PR), a ligand-activated DNA-binding transcription factor, plays an essential role in regulating nearly every aspect of female reproductive biology. While many reproductive traits regulated by PR are conserved in mammals, Catarrhine primates evolved several derived traits including spontaneous decidualization, menstruation, and a divergent (and unknown) parturition signal, suggesting that PR may also have evolved divergent functions in Catarrhines. There is conflicting evidence, however, whether the progesterone receptor gene (PGR) was positively selected in the human lineage. Here we show that PGR evolved rapidly in the human stem-lineage (as well as other Catarrhine primates), which likely reflects an episode of relaxed selection intensity rather than positive selection. Coincident with the episode of relaxed selection intensity, ancestral sequence resurrection and functional tests indicate that the major human PR isoforms (PR-A and PR-B) evolved divergent functions in the human stem-lineage. These results suggest that the regulation of progesterone signaling by PR-A and PR-B may also have diverged in the human lineage and that non-human animal models of progesterone signaling may not faithfully recapitulate human biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirna Marinić
- Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Vincent J. Lynch
- Department of Biological Sciences, University at Buffalo, SUNY, Buffalo, NY, United States of America
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Solano ME, Arck PC. Steroids, Pregnancy and Fetal Development. Front Immunol 2020; 10:3017. [PMID: 32038609 PMCID: PMC6987319 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.03017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal glucocorticoids critically rise during pregnancy reaching up to a 20-fold increase of mid-pregnancy concentrations. Concurrently, another steroid hormone, progesterone, increases. Progesterone, which shows structural similarities to glucocorticoids, can bind the intracellular glucocorticoid receptor, although with lower affinity. Progesterone is essential for the establishment and continuation of pregnancy and it is generally acknowledged to promote maternal immune tolerance to fetal alloantigens through a wealth of immunomodulatory mechanisms. Despite the potent immunomodulatory capacity of glucocorticoids, little is known about their role during pregnancy. Here we aim to compare general aspects of glucocorticoids and progesterone during pregnancy, including shared common steroidogenic pathways, plasma transporters, regulatory pathways, expression of receptors, and mechanisms of action in immune cells. It was recently acknowledged that progesterone receptors are not ubiquitously expressed on immune cells and that pivotal features of progesterone induced- maternal immune adaptations to pregnancy are mediated via the glucocorticoid receptor, including e.g., T regulatory cells expansion. We hypothesize that a tight equilibrium between progesterone and glucocorticoids is critically required and recapitulate evidence supporting that their disequilibrium underlie pregnancy complications. Such a disequilibrium can occur, e.g., after maternal stress perception, which triggers the release of glucocorticoids and impair progesterone secretion, resulting in intrauterine inflammation. These endocrine misbalance might be interconnected, as increase in glucocorticoid synthesis, e.g., upon stress, may occur in detriment of progesterone steroidogenesis, by depleting the common precursor pregnenolone. Abundant literature supports that progesterone deficiency underlies pregnancy complications in which immune tolerance is challenged. In these settings, it is largely yet undefined if and how glucocorticoids are affected. However, although progesterone immunomodulation during pregnancy appear to be chiefly mediated glucocorticoid receptors, excess glucocorticoids cannot compensate by progesterone deficiency, indicating that additional und still undercover mechanisms are at play.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Emilia Solano
- Department for Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Petra Clara Arck
- Department for Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Camilleri C, Beiter RM, Puentes L, Aracena-Sherck P, Sammut S. Biological, Behavioral and Physiological Consequences of Drug-Induced Pregnancy Termination at First-Trimester Human Equivalent in an Animal Model. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:544. [PMID: 31191234 PMCID: PMC6549702 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Given the significant physiological changes that take place during and resulting from pregnancy, as well as the relative absence of such information in relation to pregnancy termination, this study investigated the potential for developing a valid animal model to objectively assess the biological, physiological and behavioral consequences of drug-induced pregnancy termination. Female Long-Evans rats were divided into four groups (n = 19-21/group), controlling for drug [mifepristone (50 mg/kg/3 ml, i.g.)/misoprostol (0.3 mg/kg/ml, i.g.) or vehicle (1% Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium/0.2% Tween® 80 suspension, i.g.)] and pregnancy. Drug administration took place on days 12-14 of gestation (days 28-40 human gestational equivalent). Vehicle was administered to the controls on the same days. Parameters measured included rat body weight, food intake, vaginal impedance, sucrose consumption/preference, locomotor activity, forced swim test, and home-cage activity. At the termination of the study, rats were deeply anesthetized using urethane, and blood, brain, and liver were collected for biochemical analysis. Following drug/vehicle administration, only the pregnancy termination group (pregnant, drug) displayed a significant decrease in body weight, food intake, locomotor activity-related behaviors and home-cage activity relative to the control group (non-pregnant, vehicle). Additionally, the pregnancy termination group was the only group that displayed a significant reduction in sucrose consumption/preference during Treatment Week relative to Pre-Treatment Week. Vaginal impedance did not significantly decrease over time in parous rats in contrast to all other groups, including the rats in the pregnancy termination group. Biochemical analysis indicated putative drug- and pregnancy-specific influences on oxidative balance. Regression analysis indicated that pregnancy termination was a predictor variable for body weight, food intake and all locomotor activity parameters measured. Moreover, pertaining to body weight and food intake, the pregnancy termination group displayed significant changes, which were not present in a group of naturally miscarrying rats following pregnancy loss. Overall, our results appear to suggest negative biological and behavioral effects following pregnancy termination, that appear to also be distinct from natural miscarriage, and potential benefits of parity pertaining to fecundity. Thus, our findings indicate the importance for further objective investigation of the physiological and behavioral consequences of medical abortion, in order to provide further insight into the potential implications in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Camilleri
- Department of Psychology, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, OH, United States
| | - Rebecca M. Beiter
- Department of Psychology, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, OH, United States
| | - Lisett Puentes
- School of Medicine, Universidad San Sebastián, Conceptión, Chile
| | | | - Stephen Sammut
- Department of Psychology, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, OH, United States
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Micili SC, Goker A, Kuscu K, Ergur BU, Fuso A. α-Lipoic Acid Vaginal Administration Contrasts Inflammation and Preterm Delivery in Rats. Reprod Sci 2018; 26:128-138. [PMID: 29631479 DOI: 10.1177/1933719118766266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
α-Lipoic acid (ALA) is a safe natural molecule involved in the immunomodulation of many physiological processes. Orally administered ALA has been reported to treat several inflammatory pathologies and support pregnancy. Our study aimed at testing ALA vaginal administration in female Wistar rats evaluating its tissue distribution (experiment I), impact on implantation process (experiment II), and effectiveness in contrasting induced preterm birth (experiment III). In experiment I, rats were intravaginally treated with 50 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg ALA, or with a physiologic solution, for 4 days. α-Lipoic acid distribution in uterus and cervical tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemical analyses. In experiment II, rats received intravaginally the above treatments for 5 days, then they were mated and, if pregnant, included in the experiment to evaluate both implantation rate and the content of implantation mediators in uterus tissues. In experiment III, pregnant rats were pretreated with placebo or with vaginal ALA for 4 days and then induced to delivery with mifepristone plus PGE2 on the 19th day of pregnancy. The delivery time was recorded, and the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected in the uterine tissues by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry was also performed. Results showed that vaginal ALA was well absorbed and distributed. The treatment did not affect the implantation process and was able to significantly revert mifepristone plus prostaglandin E2 effects, delaying the timing of delivery and significantly decreasing mRNA synthesis and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We provide for the first time new information on vaginal ALA use, even during pregnancy, opening a perspective for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serap Cilaker Micili
- 1 Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Asli Goker
- 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Kemal Kuscu
- 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Bekir Ugur Ergur
- 1 Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Andrea Fuso
- 3 Department of Surgery "P. Valdoni," Sapienza University of Rome, Roma, Italy
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Kieckbusch J, Balmas E, Hawkes DA, Colucci F. Disrupted PI3K p110δ Signaling Dysregulates Maternal Immune Cells and Increases Fetal Mortality In Mice. Cell Rep 2015; 13:2817-28. [PMID: 26711346 PMCID: PMC4700049 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2015.11.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2015] [Revised: 10/14/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal immune cells are an integral part of reproduction, but how they might cause pregnancy complications remains elusive. Macrophages and their dual function in inflammation and tissue repair are thought to play key yet undefined roles. Altered perinatal growth underpins adult morbidity, and natural killer (NK) cells may sustain fetal growth by establishing the placental blood supply. Using a mouse model of genetic inactivation of PI3K p110δ, a key intracellular signaling molecule in leukocytes, we show that p110δ regulates macrophage dynamics and NK-cell-mediated arterial remodeling. The uterus of dams with inactive p110δ had decreased IFN-γ and MHC class IIlow macrophages but enhanced IL-6. Poor vascular remodeling and a pro-inflammatory uterine milieu resulted in fetal death or growth retardation. Our results provide one mechanism that explains how imbalanced adaptations of maternal innate immune cells to gestation affect offspring well-being with consequence perinatally and possibly into adulthood. Genetic inactivation of p110δ in pregnant mice perturbs maternal immune cells Uterine NK cells produce less cytokines, resulting in fetal growth restriction Inflammatory macrophages are overrepresented, resulting in increased fetal loss
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens Kieckbusch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Box 111, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0SP, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Physiology Building, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Elisa Balmas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Box 111, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0SP, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Physiology Building, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Delia A Hawkes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Box 111, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0SP, UK
| | - Francesco Colucci
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine, NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Box 111, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0SP, UK; Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Physiology Building, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
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Et T, Topal A, Erol A, Tavlan A, Kılıçaslan A, Uzun ST. The Effects of Sugammadex on Progesterone Levels in Pregnant Rats. Balkan Med J 2015; 32:203-7. [PMID: 26167346 DOI: 10.5152/balkanmedj.2015.15502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sugammadex has been shown to decrease the efficiency of progesterone-containing oral contraceptive drugs which possess a steroid structure. AIMS The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of sugammadex on progesterone levels in pregnant rats as well as on the physiological course of the pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN Animal experiment. METHODS This study was approved by the Selçuk University Ethical Committee for Experimental Animal Research. Pregnant Winster Albino rats (n=26) were divided into three groups and administered with various intravenous injections on the 7(th) day of pregnancy. The control group (Group K, n=6) received 1.5 mL serum physiologic, the sugammadex group (Group S, n=10) received 30 mg/kg sugammadex and the sugammadex + rocuronium group (Group SR, n=10) received 30 mg/kg sugammadex and 3.5 mg/kg rocuronium. Progesterone levels were measured and the offspring were monitored for morphologic status. RESULTS Mean progesterone levels were 94.16±15.54 ng/mL in Group K, 87.86±12.48 ng/mL in Group S, and 94.53±16.10 ng/mL in Group SR (p>0.05). No stillbirth or miscarriage was observed in the rats. The mean number of offspring was 6.8±1.47 in Group K, 6.5±1.35 in Group S, and 6.4±1.17 in Group SR. The offspring appeared macroscopically normal. CONCLUSION Sugammadex does not appear to affect the progesterone levels in pregnant rats in the first trimester and the clinical course. Successful completion of pregnancy and the absence of stillbirth or miscarriage will guide future studies about the use of sugammadex, particularly in the first trimester of the pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayfun Et
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Topal
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
| | - Atilla Erol
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
| | - Aybars Tavlan
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
| | - Alper Kılıçaslan
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
| | - Sema Tuncer Uzun
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Reanimation, Necmettin Erbakan University Meram Faculty of Medicine, Konya, Turkey
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Escobedo G, Camacho-Arroyo I, Nava-Luna P, Olivos A, Pérez-Torres A, Leon-Cabrera S, Carrero J, Morales-Montor J. Progesterone induces mucosal immunity in a rodent model of human taeniosis by Taenia solium. Int J Biol Sci 2011; 7:1443-56. [PMID: 22110394 PMCID: PMC3221950 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.7.1443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2011] [Accepted: 10/26/2011] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
More than one quarter of human world's population is exposed to intestinal helminth parasites. The Taenia solium tapeworm carrier is the main risk factor in the transmission of both human neurocysticercosis and porcine cysticercosis. Sex steroids play an important role during T. solium infection, particularly progesterone has been proposed as a key immunomodulatory hormone involved in susceptibility to human taeniosis in woman and cysticercosis in pregnant pigs. Thus, we evaluated the effect of progesterone administration upon the experimental taeniosis in golden hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus). Intact female adult hamsters were randomly divided into 3 groups: progesterone-subcutaneously treated; olive oil-treated as the vehicle group; and untreated controls. Animals were treated every other day during 4 weeks. After 2 weeks of treatment, all hamsters were orally infected with 4 viable T. solium cysticerci. After 2 weeks post infection, progesterone-treated hamsters showed reduction in adult worm recovery by 80%, compared to both vehicle-treated and non-manipulated infected animals. In contrast to control and vehicle groups, progesterone treatment diminished tapeworm length by 75% and increased proliferation rate of leukocytes from spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes of infected hamsters by 5-fold. The latter exhibited high expression levels of IL-4, IL-6 and TNF-α at the duodenal mucosa, accompanied with polymorphonuclear leukocytes infiltration. These results support that progesterone protects hamsters from the T. solium adult tapeworm establishment by improving the intestinal mucosal immunity, suggesting a potential use of analogues of this hormone as novel inductors of the gut immune response against intestinal helminth infections and probably other bowel-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galileo Escobedo
- 1. Unidad de Medicina Experimental, Hospital General de México, México D.F. 06726, México
| | - Ignacio Camacho-Arroyo
- 2. Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F. 04510, México
| | - Paul Nava-Luna
- 3. Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F. 04510, México
| | - Alfonso Olivos
- 4. Departamento de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Hospital General de México, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F. 06726, México
| | - Armando Pérez-Torres
- 5. Departamento de Biología Celular y Tisular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F. 04510, México
| | - Sonia Leon-Cabrera
- 6. Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F. 04510, México
| | - J.C. Carrero
- 3. Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F. 04510, México
| | - Jorge Morales-Montor
- 3. Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México D.F. 04510, México
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Yang B, He QJ, Zhu DY, Lou YJ, Fang RY. Antiproliferative activity of contragestazol (DL111-IT) in murine and human tumor models in vitro and in vivo. Cancer Chemother Pharmacol 2005; 57:268-73. [PMID: 16133535 DOI: 10.1007/s00280-005-0049-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2005] [Accepted: 04/05/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSES To evaluate the antiproliferative activity of contragestazol (DL111-IT) in vitro and in vivo and to elucidate potential molecular mechanisms. METHODS Cell killing ability of DL111-IT was measured by MTT/Trypan blue exclusion method and murine and human tumor models; cell cycle was analyzed by flow cytometry; pRb, CDK4 and Cyclin D1 expressions were detected by western blotting. RESULTS DL111-IT exhibited high efficiency on cell growth inhibition of 12 cancer cell lines, the IC50 values were 4.1-19.7 microg/ml. In Sarcoma-180 (S180) and Hepatoma-22 (H22) tumor bearing mice models, the inhibition rates were 55.9 and 55.6%, respectively, at the doses of DL111-IT 12.5-50.0 mg/kg for 9 days consecutive administration. Human ovarian carcinoma (HO-8910) xenograft study showed that, nine administrations (within 15 days) of DL111-IT (12.5-50.0 mg/kg) significantly inhibited tumor growth with the inhibition rates ranging from 17.0 to 64.3%. DL111-IT induced G1 arrest and overexpression of pRb, CDK4 and Cyclin D1 were observed in HO-8910 cell line, suggesting that cell cycle regulation might contribute to the anticancer property of DL111-IT. CONCLUSIONS DL111-IT could inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo via a cell cycle regulation pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical science, Zhejiang University, YanAn Rd. 353#, Hangzhou, 310031, People's Republic of China.
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Stasi MA, Ruggiero V, Ursillo A, Taurelli R, Aglianò M, Weber E, Lorenzoni P, Sorrentino V, Pacifici L, Carminati P. Ameliorating effects of the immunomodulator 3-(2-ethylphenyl)-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole in an experimental model of colitis in the rat. Eur J Pharmacol 2004; 494:263-72. [PMID: 15212983 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2004.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2004] [Accepted: 05/11/2004] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The therapeutic efficacy of the immunomodulator 3-(2-ethylphenyl)-5-(3-methoxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole (ST1959) in colonic inflammation was assessed in rats. One hour following colonic instillation of ethanolic 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS), intracolonic administration of 0.4 mg/kg ST1959 was started and continued once daily for 1 or 2 weeks. Daily administration of ST1959 for 1 week significantly reduced macroscopic and histological damage, myeloperoxidase activity, and colonic tissue levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma. ST1959 did not affect interleukin-12 levels but significantly enhanced the production of interleukin-10 (sixfold increase). Two weeks of ST1959 treatment reduced the thickness of the colonic wall and myeloperoxidase activity to the same extent, and the histologic appearance of the mucosa was largely restored. The ameliorating effects seem to be ascribable to an impairment of both neutrophil infiltration/activation and tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma production, possibly consequent to the observed increase in the colonic tissue levels of the potent anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10. Similar results were observed with the reference drug 5-aminosalycilic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Antonietta Stasi
- Pharmacology Department-R&D, Sigma-tau S.p.A., Via Pontina km 30.400, 00040 Pomezia (RM), Italy.
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10
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He QJ, Yang B, Wang WF, Wu HH, Fang RY. Synergistic effects of DL111-IT in combination with mifepristone and misoprostol on termination of early pregnancy in preclinical studies. Contraception 2003; 68:289-95. [PMID: 14572893 DOI: 10.1016/s0010-7824(03)00179-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the effectiveness and acute toxicity of DL111-IT combined with mifepristone (RU486) and misoprostol (MISO) on early pregnancy termination. In the pregnant rats experiments, the ED(50) values of RU486 in two-drug combinations were 0.16 (combined with DL111-IT) and 0.40 (combined with MISO) mg x kg(-1) x d(-1), while in three-drug combination treatment group (DL111-IT 9.0 mg x kg(-1) (<ED(5)) + MISO 0.30 mg x kg(-1) + RU486 0.012-0.5 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), the ED(50) of RU486 was decreased to 0.07 (0.04-0.10) mg x kg(-1) x d(-1). In guinea pigs, significant enhancement of early pregnancy termination was only observed in three-drug combination treatment with MISO 0.10 mg x kg(-1) + RU486 0.05 mg x kg(-1) (<minimum effective doses) + high dosages of DL111-IT (0.05-0.10 mg x kg(-1)). DL111-IT induced pregnant rat uterine contraction in vitro, and the contractive efficacy was 60% of that induced by MISO. Multiple intramuscular injections of DL111-IT in vivo could significantly enhance the MISO-stimulated uterine contractions of pregnant rats in vitro. DL111-IT 600 mg x kg(-1) or RU486 1000 mg x kg(-1) induced pigeon vomiting, with latent periods of 32.3 +/- 12.0 min and 50.4 +/- 16.0 min, respectively. In three-drug combination group, the latent period of vomiting was significantly extended to 86.3 +/- 36.2 min. MISO also significantly decreased the frequency of vomiting within 4 h after administration of DL111-IT and RU486. In the experiment of mice acute toxicity, the LD(50) values and 95% confidence limit of DL111-IT (i.p.) alone and in combination with RU486 and MISO were 1379.4 (1278.2-1514.7) mg x kg(-1) and 1574.1 (1407.8-1762.7) mg x kg(-1), respectively. There was no significant difference. All data suggested that DL111-IT in combination with RU486 and MISO significantly increased the effect on early pregnancy termination without increasing acute toxicity compared to the treatment of DL111-IT alone, and this combination may be a promising regimen for early pregnancy termination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiao-jun He
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmaceutical Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310031, China
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11
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Wang X, Yao T, Zeng S. Determination of diphenytriazol (DL111-IT) and its related impurities by RP-HPLC with DAD. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2003; 32:369-74. [PMID: 12763548 DOI: 10.1016/s0731-7085(03)00107-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
An analytical method was developed for determining diphenytriazol and its related impurities in oil injection by using RP-HPLC with DAD and diazepam as internal standard. The C(18) column was used as analytical column. Mobile phase consisted of methanol-potassium dihydrogen phosphate solutions (10 mmol l(-1), pH 7.5) (7:3, v/v). The standard curve was linear in the concentration range from 2 to 100 microg ml(-1) for diphenytriazol. The analytical method afforded average recoveries of 100.3+/-1.9% (n=9) and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 2% for within-day and between-day precision. The limit of detection and of quantitation for the assay were 15 and 40 ng, respectively. The method was simple, accurate and allowed to be used as analytical method for the routine quality control of diphenytriazol injection. Diphenytriazol injection showed a high stability to the heat (60 degrees C) and the light (4000 lx).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangjun Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis and Drug Metabolism, College of Pharmceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310031, PR China
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12
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Ware CB, Nelson AM, Liggitt D. Late gestation modulation of fetal glucocorticoid effects requires the receptor for leukemia inhibitory factor: an observational study. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2003; 1:43. [PMID: 12823859 PMCID: PMC165445 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-1-43] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2003] [Accepted: 05/16/2003] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ablation of the low-affinity receptor subunit for leukemia inhibitory factor (LIFR) causes multi-systemic defects in the late gestation fetus. Because corticosterone is known to have a broad range of effects and LIF function has been associated with the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, this study was designed to determine the role for LIFR in the fetus when exposed to the elevated maternal glucocorticoid levels of late gestation. Uncovering a requirement for LIFR in appropriate glucocorticoid response will further understanding of control of glucocorticoid function. METHODS Maternal adrenalectomy or RU486 administration were used to determine the impact of the maternal glucocorticoid surge on fetal development in the absence of LIFR. The mice were analyzed by a variety of histological techniques including immunolabeling and staining techniques (hematoxylin and eosin, Alizarin red S and alcian blue). Plasma corticosterone was assayed using radioimmunoassay. RESULTS Maternal adrenalectomy does not improve the prognosis for LIFR null pups and exacerbates the effects of LIFR loss. RU486 noticeably improves many of the tissues affected by LIFR loss: bone density, skeletal muscle integrity and glial cell formation. LIFR null pups exposed during late gestation to RU486 in utero survive natural delivery, unlike LIFR null pups from untreated litters. But RU486 treated LIFR null pups succumb within the first day after birth, presumably due to neural deficit resulting in an inability to suckle. CONCLUSION LIFR plays an integral role in modulating the fetal response to elevated maternal glucocorticoids during late gestation. This role is likely to be mediated through the glucocorticoid receptor and has implications for adult homeostasis as a direct tie between immune, neural and hormone function.
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MESH Headings
- Abnormalities, Multiple/embryology
- Abnormalities, Multiple/genetics
- Adrenalectomy
- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone/analysis
- Animals
- Bone Diseases, Metabolic/embryology
- Bone Diseases, Metabolic/genetics
- Bone Diseases, Metabolic/prevention & control
- Corticosterone/blood
- Female
- Fetal Diseases/embryology
- Fetal Diseases/genetics
- Fetal Diseases/prevention & control
- Fetus/physiology
- Genes, Lethal
- Gestational Age
- Homeostasis
- Hormone Antagonists/pharmacology
- Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/physiology
- Interleukin-6
- Leukemia Inhibitory Factor
- Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Receptor alpha Subunit
- Male
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Mifepristone/pharmacology
- Muscle, Skeletal/embryology
- Muscle, Skeletal/pathology
- Neuroglia/drug effects
- Neuroimmunomodulation/physiology
- Pituitary-Adrenal System/physiology
- Pregnancy
- Proteins/physiology
- Receptors, Cytokine/deficiency
- Receptors, Cytokine/genetics
- Receptors, Cytokine/physiology
- Receptors, Glucocorticoid/physiology
- Receptors, OSM-LIF
- Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
- Spinal Cord/embryology
- Spinal Cord/pathology
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Affiliation(s)
- Carol B Ware
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7190
| | - Angelique M Nelson
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7190
| | - Denny Liggitt
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195-7190
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Shentu J, Zhou H, He Q, Wang L, Fang R. Effects of DL111-IT or combined with RU486 on uterine polyamines biosynthesis in rats during early gestation. Contraception 2001; 63:283-7. [PMID: 11448470 DOI: 10.1016/s0010-7824(01)00197-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
DL111-IT, a non-hormonal contragestional agent, revealed synergistic effects in combination with mifepristone (RU486) in some species. The present study was undertaken to clarify the role of DL111-IT when used alone or plus RU486 on uterine polyamines biosynthesis, histologic alteration of decidual cells, and antifertility activity in rats. The levels of polyamines in pregnant rat uterus were determined by formed benzoyl chloride derivatives of polyamines for RP-HPLC. The results showed that all the treated groups including DL111-IT 2.8 mg. kg(-1). d(-1), RU486 3.0 mg. kg(-1). d(-1), and DL111-IT 0.56 mg. kg(-1). d(-1) plus RU486 0.6 mg. kg(-1). d(-1) caused 100% early pregnancy arrest. Uterine putrescine, spermidine, and spermine levels in comparison with vehicle control were declined significantly from d7 of gestation (1 day after treatment) to d9 or d14 (3 days or 8 days after treatment) by Duncan's multiple range test, and accompanied by histologic alterations, edema, degeneration and dissolution of decidual cells with nuclei indefinite in appearance on d8 of gestation (2 days after treatment). The combined administration at lower doses caused the most injury. The data verified that the decrease in uterine polyamine levels and subsequent decidual cells injuries were the critical role of early pregnancy arrest induced by DL111-IT or RU486. The two compounds used in combination with lower dosages revealed greatly synergistic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Shentu
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Zhejiang University, 310031, Hangzhou, China
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