Toll-Like Receptor 4 Inhibits Estradiol Secretion via NF-κB Signaling in Human Granulosa Cells

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) may play a critical role in regulating follicular development. Data are scarce on the role of TLR4 in the follicle. This study investigated the effects of TLR4 on steroidogenesis in human granulosa cells. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed stage-specific expression of TLR4 in the mouse ovarian cycle, and immunofluorescence showed TLR4 expression in the human granulosa-like tumor cell line (KGN). TLR4 agonist lipopolysaccharides (LPS) significantly inhibited follicular development and synthesis of estradiol (E2) in mice. In KGN cells, TLR4 activation significantly inhibited CYP19A1, FSHR and StAR, and TLR4 inhibition reversed these effects. TLR4 activation also inhibited forskolin-induced secretion of E2 by inhibiting CYP19A1, with no effect on progesterone. Further studies showed activation of p38, JNK and NF-κB signaling after TLR4 activation. Subsequent analyses showed that an NF-κB antagonist reversed the inhibitory effects on CYP19A1 expression and E2 secretion. Together, our results suggest that TLR4 activation may suppress CYP19A1 expression and E2 secretion via NF-κB signaling in human granulosa cells, with important implications for the regulation of ovarian pathophysiology.

Dydrogesterone treatment for menstrual-cycle regularization in abnormal uterine bleeding – ovulation dysfunction patients

BACKGROUND

Dydrogesterone has shown significant efficacy in treatment of irregular menstrual cycle due to abnormal uterine bleeding - ovulation dysfunction (AUB-O), but there were few relevant studies. This observational study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of dydrogesterone for the treatment of Chinese patients with AUB-O.

AIM

To evaluate the effects of dydrogesterone on menstrual-cycle (MC) regularization and metabolism in the patients with AUB-O.

METHODS

A prospective, non-interventional, single-arm, post-marketing observational study was conducted. Chinese women aged 16 years or above with AUB-O who had been prescribed dydrogesterone were enrolled. The patients were treated with dydrogesterone 10 mg from day 16 to day 25 of each cycle, consecutively for at least 3 cycles. The main outcome was defined as the percentage of patients whose MCs returned to normal (defined as 21 d < menstrual cycle ≤ 35 d) after three cycles of dydrogesterone treatment.

RESULTS

One hundred and fourteen women with AUB-O were enrolled in the present study. Of 89 patients who completed treatment, 72 (80.9%) achieved a regular MC at the end of the 3^rd circle. The level of androgen, including testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, declined significantly (P = 0.01 and 0.031, respectively), whereas other hormone levels remained steady. During the treatment, 44/80 (55.0%) subjects in the per-protocol set had reported biphasic basal body temperature.

CONCLUSION

Dydrogesterone therapy was effective in achieving MC regularization for Chinese patients with AUB-O.

[High risk factors analysis of stillbirth]

Objective: To explore the high risk factors of stillbirth. Methods: 176 cases of stillbirth were collected in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University from January 1(st), 2010 to December 31(st), 2016. All cases were analyzed retrospectively, including general profile, high risk factors of stillbirth in different years and pregnancy periods. Results: (1) The incidence of stillbirth was 0.178%(176/98 785). Stillbirth occured mostly at 28-28(+6) gestational weeks (10.8%,19/176), and the second peak was 29-29(+6) weeks(10.2%,18/176), while the third common period was 37-37(+6) weeks (9.1%,16/176). After 39 weeks, it maintained at a low level. (2) The top 5 high risk factors of stillbirth were infection (18.2%,32/176), unexplained (13.6%,24/176), hypertention disorders in pregnancy (13.1%, 23/176), umbilical cord torsion (12.5%, 22/176) and fetal malformations (10.2%, 18/176). (3) From 2010 to 2012, the top 3 high risk factors were unexplained, the umbilical cord torsion and infection, while hypertention in pregnancy, infection and fetal malformation became the top 3 high risk factors after 2013. (4) Early stillbirth (20-27(+6) weeks) accounted for 21.6%(38/176); and unexplained (47.4%, 18/38), fetal edema (13.2%, 5/38),infection (13.2%, 5/38), umbilical cord torsion (5.3%, 2/38) were the top 4 high risk factors. Late stillbirth (≥28 weeks) accounted for 78.4%(138/176), with infection (19.6%,27/138), hypertention in pregnancy (15.9%,22/138), umbilical cord torsion (14.5%,20/138) and fetal malformation(12.3%,17/138)being the top 4 high risk factors. Conclusions: More attention should be paid to maternal complications, especially infection and hypertension in pregnancy. Antenatal fetal monitoring, timely termination of pregnancy, standard management of stillbirth and looking for the causes may help reduce the incidence of stillbirth.

Follicle Loss and Apoptosis in Cyclophosphamide-Treated Mice: What's the Matter?

With increasing numbers of young female cancer survivors following chemotherapy, chemotherapy-induced fertility loss must be considered. Menstrual disorder and infertility are of particular concern in female cancer patients. We showed that treatment with the alkylating agent cyclophosphamide (CTX) could cause severe primordial follicle loss and growing follicle apoptosis, resulting in loss of ovarian reserve. SPF C57BL/6 female mice were treated with a single dose of 120 mg/kg of CTX or saline as a control, and both sides of ovaries were collected three or seven days after injection. Following CTX treatment, the ovaries were mostly composed of collapsed oocytes and presented marked cortical fibrosis and a reduced number of follicles, especially primordial follicles. The loss of primordial follicles was confirmed by primordial follicle counting, immunohistochemistry and Western blot detection of DDx4/MVH. Follicle apoptosis was tested by a TUNEL assay and the number of TUNEL-positive follicle cells increased, as expected, in CTX-treated mice. Furthermore, expression of APAF-1 and cleaved caspase-3 was also increased after CTX treatment. Analysis of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway showed that CTX increased phosphorylation of Akt, mTOR and downstream proteins without affecting total levels. These results demonstrated that the CTX treatment led to the hyperactivation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in ovaries which may be related to primordial follicle loss and growing follicle apoptosis.

Metronidazole resistance reduces efficacy of triple therapy and leads to secondary clarithromycin resistance

There has been a significant increase in the prevalence of H. pylori resistance to metronidazole in recent years, while clarithromycin resistance is still relatively rare. In this study we assessed: (1) the effect of primary H. pylori resistance to metronidazole and clarithromycin on the clinical efficacy of a one-week regimen consisting of omeprazole, metronidazole, and clarithromycin; and (2) the rate of acquisition of secondary antimicrobial resistance after treatment failure. Eighty-seven patients with duodenal ulceration or nonulcer dyspepsia were included in the study. The primary metronidazole and clarithromycin resistance rates were 35.6% and 3.4%, respectively (all three pretreatment clarithromycin resistant strains had concurrent metronidazole resistance). H. pylori was eradicated in 81.6% of patients. The eradication rate for fully sensitive isolates was 98.2% (55/56) but was significantly reduced to 57.1% (16/28) for isolates that were resistant to metronidazole alone and 0% (0/3) in cases of dual resistance (P < 0.001). Secondary resistance to clarithromycin was acquired in 58.3% of cases of treatment failure. In areas of high prevalence of primary metronidazole resistance, this is a significant cause of treatment failure with this triple therapy regimen. This leads to the selection of strains with dual resistance that are difficult to eradicate and may contribute to an increase in the prevalence of clarithromycin resistance. In such areas an alternative first-line treatment should be prescribed.

Recurrence of Helicobacter pylori infection after successful eradication: nature and possible causes

Recurrence of Helicobacter pylori infection after successful eradication occurs and is associated with relapse of gastroduodenal diseases. The aims of this paper were to assess the incidence and identify the nature and possible causes of recurrence of the infection. A broad-based Medline search was performed to identify all related publications addressing recurrence of the infection between 1986 and 1995. The 12-month recurrence rate varied among the different studies from 0 to 41.5%. A few studies showed 18- to 24-month recurrence rates, which ranged between 0 and 21.4%. Limited data, obtained using molecular fingerprinting techniques, have shown that in most cases recurrence is due to recrudescence of the original strain; a few cases appear to be due to reinfection with a new strain. Recrudescence is most likely during the first 12 months after apparent eradication. Despite the high sensitivity and specificity of the available individual tests for detecting H. pylori infection in untreated patients, no technique alone is sensitive enough to monitor eradication when the four-week-rule definition for eradication is used. A combination of two or more techniques increases sensitivity. Sensitivity and specificity are increased when biopsies are taken from both gastric antrum and corpus. The best treatments have the lowest recurrence rates and recurrence is rare when the eradication rate is over 90%. Individual susceptibility and reexposure to H. pylori are suggested as two major causes of reinfection.

Clarithromycin resistance in Helicobacter pylori: prevalence in untreated dyspeptic patients and stability in vitro

Susceptibilities to clarithromycin and metronidazole of 444 Helicobacter pylori isolates cultured from antral biopsies of 444 dyspeptic patients were determined by disc diffusion tests (15 mu g disc for clarithromycin, 5 mu g disc for metronidazole). Susceptibility of 46 of these isolates to erythromycin (5 mu g disc) was also tested. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of clarithromycin for 42 selected isolates were determined by a plate dilution method. A zone diameter of 30 mm was defined as a 'cut-off' size differentiating susceptibility and resistance of the organism to clarithromycin, by comparing results obtained with the two methods. Of the 444 isolates, 424 (95.5%) were highly sensitive to clarithromycin, with zone diameters ranging from 30 to 98 mm. Twenty isolates (4.5%) were defined as resistant to clarithromycin, with zone diameters ranging between 6 and 28 mm. The incidence of clarithromycin resistance was similar in men and women and in different age groups, and was not significantly different between patients with peptic ulcer and non-ulcer dyspepsia. Among the 444 isolates, 168 (37.8%) were metronidazole resistant. There was cross resistance between clarithromycin and erythromycin, but not between clarithromycin and metronidazole. Stability of clarithromycin resistance was evaluated by the disc diffusion test and confirmed by the plate dilution method. Among the 20 clarithromycin-resistant isolates, nine (45%) reverted to be sensitive after 25 subcultures on drug-free agar. The findings in this study indicate that the incidence of clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori in untreated dyspeptic patients is low. Cross-resistance occurs between macrolides and resistance to clarithromycin in some strains is reversible.

Helicobacter pylori increases proliferation of gastric epithelial cells

The direct and indirect effects of helicobacter pylori on cell kinetics of gastric epithelial cell line AGS were investigated by flow cytometric analysis of Ki-67 positive cells and by MTT assay. Flow cytometric analysis of Ki-67 positivity permits detection of cells that are in S-phase, whereas the MTT assay is a colometric measure of the number of viable cells. In the absence of added stimulants, 23.06 (4.88)% mean (SD) of AGS cells were Ki-67 positive. When cells were preincubated in the presence of H pylori, there was a significant increase in Ki-67 positivity (66.20 (7.89)%, p < 0.001). This increase was not seen in cells cultured in the presence of Campylobacter jejuni (24.63 (8.11)% or Escherichia coli (21.66 (9.78)%). Pre-incubation of AGS cells with supernatants from both H pylori and mitogen activated peripheral blood lymphocytes also increased the per cent of cells that were Ki-67 positive (72.93 (8.68) and 69.96 (12.35)%; p, 0.001) respectively. Similar results were also found in MTT assay. These data show that both H pylori directly and the immune/inflammatory response to H pylori indirectly can influence the rate of epithelial cell proliferation, suggesting this bacterium may be an initiating step in gastric carcinogenesis and an important co-carcinogenic factor in H pylori positive subjects.

Up-regulation of CD44 and ICAM-1 expression on gastric epithelial cells by H. pylori

Interaction between lymphocytes and epithelial cells may play a key role in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-associated gastric mucosal inflammation. This interaction process is at least partially mediated by various cell adhesion molecules. The aims of the present study were to assess using flow cytometric analysis whether H. pylori directly or supernatants from H. pylori-activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) can affect the expression of adhesion molecules on the gastric epithelial cell line AGS in vitro. The results showed that resting AGS cells expressed CD44 and ICAM-1. Co-culture of AGS with H. pylori or cytokine-rich supernatants from H. pylori-activated PBMC resulted in up-regulation of expression of CD44 and ICAM-1 on AGS cells. These data suggest that H. pylori directly and indirectly through inflammatory cytokines may contribute to alternations in adhesion molecule expression on gastric epithelial cells. This may be of pathological significance in H. pylori-associated gastric mucosal inflammation and carcinogenesis.

Recrudescence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with healed duodenal ulcer after treatment with different regimens

OBJECTIVE

To determine the 12-month posttherapy recurrence (recrudescence) of Helicobacter pylori in patients with healed duodenal ulcer after apparent eradication of the organism with anti-H. pylori treatment. The influence of original anti-H. pylori treatment regimens on the recrudescence was also evaluated.

METHODS

One hundred and ninety patients who had duodenal ulcer healed and H. pylori eradicated (as assessed by four routine techniques 4 wk after the end of anti-H. pylori therapy) with one of five regimens were studied. The five regimens were: 1) colloidal bismuth subcitrate (CBS) 120 mg; 2) CBS plus amoxicillin (500 mg); 3) CBS plus metronidazole (400 mg); 4) CBS plus metronidazole and amoxicillin; and 5) CBS plus metronidazole and tetracycline (500 mg). CBS was taken four times daily for 4 wk, and antibiotics were taken three times daily for the first week. The patients were re-endoscoped, and the status of H. pylori, duodenal ulcer, and gastritis was assessed after a period of follow-up (mean 14 months after commencement of treatment).

RESULTS

H. pylori infection recurred in 36 (18.9%) of these patients. Recrudescence rate with monotherapy was 47.1%, with dual therapy 29.2-35% and with triple therapy 9.2-14.3%. Nineteen (52.7%) of the 36 patients with recrudescent infection had ulcer relapse, and the rate for H. pylori-negative patients was 3.2% (5/154).

CONCLUSION

Recrudescence of H. pylori infection after apparent eradication can occur, but it could be that the treatment was only suppressing the organism. The definition of eradication of H. pylori infection may need to be revised, and more sensitive techniques to assess eradication of H. pylori are required.

Recrudescence of Helicobacter pylori after apparently successful eradication: novel application of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting

The aim of this study was to find out if reinfection or recrudescence accounted for the recurrence of Helicobacter pylori infections after apparent eradication of the bacterium. Three hundred and twenty patients were treated with colloidal bismuth subcitrate (120 mg four times daily for four weeks), metronidazole and tetracycline (400 mg and 500 mg, respectively, thrice daily for the first week). H pylori was eradicated four weeks after the end of treatment as assessed by the rapid urease test, histological examination, Gram staining, and culture. However, the infection recurred in 29 (9.1%) of the patients one year after apparent eradication. Pre and posteradication isolates from five patients were available. DNA was extracted and used for restriction endonuclease analysis with Hind III and Hae III, and for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based randomly amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting with a combination of two 10 nucleotide primers. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis was performed also. Randomly amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting was unique in that it yielded highly discriminatory fingerprints, which showed that the pretreatment and recurrent isolates obtained from each of the five patients were indistinguishable from one another. This shows that recurrence of H pylori infection is probably caused by recrudescence and that the discriminatory power of randomly amplified polymorphic DNA fingerprinting is a practicable and discriminatory typing scheme for H pylori.

Transportation of Helicobacter pylori cultures by optimal systems

Cultures of Helicobacter pylori on chocolate agar slants in bijou bottles and on chocolate agar plates inside BBL Campy Pouches were mailed from Dublin to Galway, Ireland; Bordeaux, France; and Beijing, China. Both systems maintained viability of H. pylori for at least 4 days under mailing conditions. Ninety percent of the isolates on the slants survived for 6 days, but only 30% of the isolates in the pouches survived. When the slants were stored at 4 degrees C after arrival, 50% of the isolates were recoverable 10 days after mailing. Failure of recovery was due to coccoid formation by the organisms. Contamination was not a problem in either system. Chocolate agar slants are considered the more suitable system for transporting H. pylori cultures, especially when transport time longer than 4 days is expected.

Pre-formed urease activity of Helicobacter pylori as determined by a viable cell count technique--clinical implications

The pre-formed urease activity of three NCTC reference strains and five clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori was determined at room temperature (21 degrees C) and 37 degrees C by a viable cell count technique with a conventional urea slope test (Christensen's agar) as well as the commercial CLO-test. The urease activity of two gastroduodenal commensals, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae, was also tested. H. pylori strains produced positive reactions with viable cell counts of 10(6)-10(8) cfu within 30 min and with counts of 10(3)-10(6) cfu within 2 h. For some strains, smaller numbers of organisms were needed with the CLO-test than with the conventional test, and incubation of the CLO-test strips at 37 degrees C slightly decreased the number of organisms required for positive results. P. mirabilis produced a positive result on urea slopes with an initial inoculum of 10(7)-10(8) cfu at 2 h, but no positive reaction occurred for K. pneumoniae at 12 h, even with an initial inoculum of 10(11) cfu. However, both P. mirabilis and K. pneumoniae gave a positive result after incubation for 24 h with initial inocula of < 10(1) cfu and 10(3)-10(4) cfu respectively. Incubation at 37 degrees C significantly reduced the inoculum size of these organisms required for a positive result after incubation for 4 h when tested with the slopes, but not with the CLO-test. These findings indicate that H. pylori possesses much greater pre-formed urease activity than P. mirabilis and K. pneumoniae. False negative results for clinical detection of H. pylori in gastroduodenal biopsies may be due to small numbers of organisms, especially after treatment with antimicrobial agents, and false positive results may arise from gastroduodenal commensals or contaminants.

Culture of Helicobacter pylori under aerobic conditions on solid media

The aim of the present study was to culture Helicobacter pylori under aerobic conditions and to investigate the characteristics of the organism when cultured aerobically. Most (22 of 23) of the Helicobacter pylori isolates grew under aerobic conditions, but with reduced viable cell counts. Blood agar was more suitable than chocolate agar. The morphological and enzymatic characteristics as well as the protein profiles of each organism were identical under aerobic and microaerophilic conditions. However, haemolysis of Helicobacter pylori was delayed under aerobic conditions. The MIC of metronidazole was slightly lower for some strains under aerobic conditions. These findings indicate that Helicobacter pylori is not only a microaerophilic organism but also adapts to aerobic conditions, which may have some important implications in microbiological and epidemiological studies.

Determination of the optimal transport system for Helicobacter pylori cultures

A range of solid and liquid media was evaluated for the ability to maintain survival of Helicobacter pylori strains under different conditions. Chocolate agar slopes maintained survival of most strains for longer than 3 days, some strains surviving for up to 9 days, despite a decreased number of viable cells. Temperature and atmosphere did not significantly influence the performance of these slopes. The BBL Campy Pouch system also achieved a considerable recovery rate of H. pylori after storage for 3 days at the same range of temperatures. Brain-heart infusion broth with horse serum was superior among the liquid media tested, maintaining the viability of H. pylori for c. 3 days at temperatures ranging from -4 degrees C to 21 degrees C. Chocolate agar slopes are recommended as suitable for transport of H. pylori strains.

Determination of the optimal transport system for Helicobacter pylori cultures

A range of solid and liquid media was evaluated for the ability to maintain survival of Helicobacter pylori strains under different conditions. Chocolate agar slopes maintained survival of most strains for longer than 3 days, some strains surviving for up to 9 days, despite a decreased number of viable cells. Temperature and atmosphere did not significantly influence the performance of these slopes. The BBL Campy Pouch system also achieved a considerable recovery rate of H. pylori after storage for 3 days at the same range of temperatures. Brain-heart infusion broth with horse serum was superior among the liquid media tested, maintaining the viability of H. pylori for c. 3 days at temperatures ranging from -4 degrees C to 21 degrees C. Chocolate agar slopes are recommended as suitable for transport of H. pylori strains.

Enhanced cultivation of Helicobacter pylori in liquid media

AIMS

To evaluate a technique for culture of Helicobacter pylori in large quantities of liquid media and to determine the factors that could influence the results.

METHODS

Fifteen clinical isolates of H pylori and a reference strain of H pylori NCTC11637 were used to evaluate a method to cultivate the organism in 100 ml liquid medium comprising brain heart infusion broth with 5% horse serum and 0.25% yeast extract. Tissue culture flasks containing the inoculated liquid medium were placed in a CO2 incubator with 5% CO2 for 2 hours and then incubated in a shaking incubator at 120 rpm.

RESULTS

All the clinical isolates and the reference strain grew in the broth, although only a moderate growth of the reference strain occurred. Inoculum size significantly influenced the kinetics of growth of H pylori in the liquid medium. Vancomycin, nalidixic acid, and amphotericin B, used to suppress contamination, did not affect growth of H pylori in the medium. CO2 was essential for H pylori to grow or survive in the liquid medium. Incubation with CO2 in a CO2 incubator for 30 minutes or 2 hours did not affect the results.

CONCLUSIONS

H pylori can be cultivated in large quantities of brain heart infusion broth with 5% horse serum and 0.25% yeast extract. Initial inoculum concentrations influence the kinetics of H pylori growth in the liquid medium. Vancomycin, nalidixic acid, and amphotericin B can be used as selective antimicrobial agents. CO2 is essential for initial growth of H pylori in liquid media. The findings in this study may provide a useful, reproducible, and simple method for biochemical, molecular, and physiological studies of H pylori, when those require large quantities of the organism.

Short report: high-dose omeprazole and amoxycillin in the treatment of Helicobacter pylori-associated duodenal ulcer

Thirteen consecutive patients with active duodenal ulcer disease were assigned to a treatment schedule with high-dose omeprazole and amoxycillin. Duodenal ulcer was diagnosed endoscopically in all patients, at which time antral biopsies were taken for culture and histology. All were positive for Helicobacter pylori and histological gastritis. Treatment was for 2 weeks: 80 mg omeprazole daily plus 500 mg amoxycillin syrup t.d.s. in the first week, followed by 40 mg omeprazole daily in the second week. Repeat gastroscopy was performed 4 weeks after completion of treatment in all patients. Duodenal ulcer healing occurred in 4/13 patients. H. pylori eradication was achieved in 2/4 patients with healed ulcers and in 3/9 patients with persistent ulceration. This study suggests that a short period of treatment with high-dose omeprazole and amoxycillin achieves low rates of ulcer healing and H. pylori eradication.

Prevalence of metronidazole-resistant Helicobacter pylori in dyspeptic patients

Susceptibility to metronidazole of 213 clinical strains of H. pylori from dyspeptic patients was determined by a plate dilution method. Seventy two (33.8%) of the strains were resistant to metronidazole (MIC > 8 mg/L), 20 of these were from 24 patients who had received previously metronidazole (83.3%), giving a primary (pretreatment) resistance rate of 27.5% (52/189). The resistance rate was higher in women than in men, especially aged 50 to 59 years old (43.6% vs 23.3%, p < 0.001). The resistance rate was lower in patients at 60 or over (9.8%), but similar between the younger patients groups (38.8% - 49.0%). There was no difference in the resistance rate between peptic ulcer disease (32.6%) and nonulcer dyspepsia (34.7%). These data indicated that metronidazole resistance in H. pylori is absolutely associated with previous use of the drug, and the higher resistance rate in women may be due to the more frequent prescription of the drug for their gynaecological infection or operation. Therefore, testing of susceptibility of H. pylori to metronidazole is important. A new susceptibility testing technique, the E-test was evaluated in this study and found to give comparable results to the plate dilution method and also had the advantage of being simple to perform.