Platelet-activating factor and protease-activated receptor 2 cooperate to promote neutrophil recruitment and lung inflammation through nuclear factor-kappa B transactivation

Although it is well established that platelet-activated receptor (PAF) and protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2) play a pivotal role in the pathophysiology of lung and airway inflammatory diseases, a role for a PAR2-PAFR cooperation in lung inflammation has not been investigated. Here, we investigated the role of PAR2 in PAF-induced lung inflammation and neutrophil recruitment in lungs of BALB/c mice. Mice were pretreated with the PAR2 antagonist ENMD1068, PAF receptor (PAFR) antagonist WEB2086, or aprotinin prior to intranasal instillation of carbamyl-PAF (C-PAF) or the PAR2 agonist peptide SLIGRL-NH2 (PAR2-AP). Leukocyte infiltration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), C-X-C motif ligand 1 (CXCL)1 and CXCL2 chemokines, myeloperoxidase (MPO), and N-acetyl-glycosaminidase (NAG) levels in BALF, or lung inflammation were evaluated. Intracellular calcium signaling, PAFR/PAR2 physical interaction, and the expression of PAR2 and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-КB, p65) transcription factor were investigated in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with C-PAF in the presence or absence of ENMD1068. C-PAF- or PAR2-AP-induced neutrophil recruitment into lungs was inhibited in mice pretreated with ENMD1068 and aprotinin or WEB2086, respectively. PAR2 blockade impaired C-PAF-induced neutrophil rolling and adhesion, lung inflammation, and production of MPO, NAG, CXCL1, and CXCL2 production in lungs of mice. PAFR activation reduced PAR2 expression and physical interaction of PAR2 and PAFR; co-activation is required for PAFR/PAR2 physical interaction. PAR2 blockade impaired C-PAF-induced calcium signal and NF-κB p65 translocation in RAW 264.7 murine macrophages. This study provides the first evidence for a cooperation between PAFR and PAR2 mediating neutrophil recruitment, lung inflammation, and macrophage activation.

Polycystic ovary syndrome: clinical and laboratory variables related to new phenotypes using machine-learning models

PURPOSE

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most frequent endocrinopathy in women of reproductive age. Machine learning (ML) is the area of artificial intelligence with a focus on predictive computing algorithms. We aimed to define the most relevant clinical and laboratory variables related to PCOS diagnosis, and to stratify patients into different phenotypic groups (clusters) using ML algorithms.

METHODS

Variables from a database comparing 72 patients with PCOS and 73 healthy women were included. The BorutaShap method, followed by the Random Forest algorithm, was applied to prediction and clustering of PCOS.

RESULTS

Among the 58 variables investigated, the algorithm selected in decreasing order of importance: lipid accumulation product (LAP); abdominal circumference; thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) levels; body mass index (BMI); C-reactive protein (CRP), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and insulin levels; HOMA-IR value; age; prolactin, 17-OH progesterone and triglycerides levels; and family history of diabetes mellitus in first-degree relative as the variables associated to PCOS diagnosis. The combined use of these variables by the algorithm showed an accuracy of 86% and area under the ROC curve of 97%. Next, PCOS patients were gathered into two clusters in the first, the patients had higher BMI, abdominal circumference, LAP and HOMA-IR index, as well as CRP and insulin levels compared to the other cluster.

CONCLUSION

The developed algorithm could be applied to select more important clinical and biochemical variables related to PCOS and to classify into phenotypically different clusters. These results could guide more personalized and effective approaches to the treatment of PCOS.

Correction to: A role for mast cells and mast cell tryptase in driving neutrophil recruitment in LPS-induced lung inflammation via protease-activated receptor 2 in mice

The original article can be found online.

A role for mast cells and mast cell tryptase in driving neutrophil recruitment in LPS-induced lung inflammation via protease-activated receptor 2 in mice

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to investigate the role of protease-activated receptor (PAR) 2 and mast cell (MC) tryptase in LPS-induced lung inflammation and neutrophil recruitment in the lungs of C57BL/6 mice.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with the PAR2 antagonist ENMD-1068, compound 48/80 or aprotinin prior to intranasal instillation of MC tryptase or LPS. Blood leukocytes, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 1 production leukocytes recovered from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and histopathological analysis of the lung were evaluated 4 h later. Furthermore, we performed experiments to determine intracellular calcium signaling in RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with LPS in the presence or absence of a protease inhibitor cocktail or ENMD-1068 and evaluated PAR2 expression in the lungs of LPS-treated mice.

RESULTS

Pharmacological blockade of PAR2 or inhibition of proteases reduced neutrophils recovered in BALF and LPS-induced calcium signaling. PAR2 blockade impaired LPS-induced lung inflammation, PAR2 expression in the lung and CXCL1 release in BALF, and increased circulating blood neutrophils. Intranasal instillation of MC tryptase increased the number of neutrophils recovered in BALF, and MC depletion with compound 48/80 impaired LPS-induced neutrophil migration.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides, for the first time, evidence of a pivotal role for MCs and MC tryptase in neutrophil migration, lung inflammation and macrophage activation triggered by LPS, by a mechanism dependent on PAR2 activation.

Inhibition of neutrophil migration and reduction of oxidative stress by ethyl p-coumarate in acute and chronic inflammatory models

BACKGROUND

It is well known that medicinal plants and their products are relevant candidates for the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Ethyl p-coumarate is a phenylpropanoid that has similar structure to others anti-inflammatory and antioxidant substances. However, these activities have never been tested.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ethyl p-coumarate on inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters.

STUDY DESIGN

This is an experimental study to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of ethyl p-coumarate in acute and chronic models of inflammation.

METHODS

The anti-inflammatory effect of ethyl p-coumarate was evaluated in Swiss mice by carrageenan-induced paw edema model (1%, 50 μl), followed by histological analysis, and edema induced by compound 48/80 (12 µg/paw), histamine (100  µg/paw), serotonin (100 µg/paw) and prostaglandin E2 (3 nmol/paw) in comparison to indomethacin treatment (10 mg/kg, p.o.). In addition, peritonitis was induced by carrageenan (500 μg/cavity) to neutrophil and total leukocytes counting, myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and 8 (IL-8), nitrite (NO₂^-), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) measurements. The arthritis model was induced with Freund's complete adjuvant (id. 0.1 ml) in female Wistar rats, with measurement of joint diameter and X-ray. Changes in gastric tissue of Swiss mice were analyzed in comparison to indomethacin (20  mg/kg, p.o.).

RESULTS

After treatment with ethyl p-coumarate, the animals had no apparent toxic effects, and significantly inhibited paw edema induced by edematogenic agents, neutrophil (p < 0.001) and total leukocyte (p < 0.001) migration, MPO (p < 0.01), IL-6 (p < 0.05) and IL-8 (p < 0.5), MDA (p < 0.5), GSH (p < 0.5), NO₂^- (p < 0.001), joint thickness and bones changes. Furthermore, were not observed significant formation of gastric lesions.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these results suggest that ethyl p-coumarate exhibits anti-inflammatory activity through the inhibition of inflammatory mediators and leukocyte migration without causing gastric lesions.

The influence of the transposed stomach through the posterior mediastinum on the respiratory forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity in patients with resected esophageal cancer

Although the use of the posterior mediastinum and the stomach as a reconstruction option after esophagectomy has large acceptance all over the world, there are concerns about the potential respiratory impairment it could cause. We prospectively studied 35 patients regarding the forced expiratory volume and vital capacity. The patients were studied preoperatively and between the 45th and 60th postoperative days. The value of both parameters decreased, although they were still within normal clinical ranges. We concluded that this type of reconstruction does not harm the patients regarding the respiratory flow rates.

Action of phosphorylated mannanoligosaccharides on immune and hematological responses and fecal consistency of dogs experimentally infected with enteropathogenic Escherichia coli strains

The therapeutic action of phosphorylated mannanoligosaccharides (MOS) was investigated regarding its prebiotic activity on enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC). Diarrhea was induced in dogs by experimental infection with EPEC strains. Then MOS was supplied once a day, in water for 20 days. Immunological (IgA and IgG), hematological (lymphocytes, neutrophils and monocytes) and bacteriological variables (PCR detection of the eae gene of EPEC recovered from stool culture), as well as occurrence of diarrhea were evaluated. All strains caused diarrhea at 24, 48 and 72 h after infection. PCR results indicated that E. coli isolated from stool culture of all infected animals had the eae gene. There was no significant difference among groups as to number of blood cells in the hemogram and IgA and IgG production. MOS was effective in recovering of EPEC-infected dogs since prebiotic-treated animals recovered more rapidly from infection than untreated ones (p < 0.05). This is an important finding since diarrhea causes intense dehydration and nutrient loss. The use of prebiotics for humans and other animals with diarrhea can be an alternative for the treatment and prophylaxis of EPEC infections.

Influence of transposed stomach on cardiac function in patients with resected esophageal cancer

Although the use of the posterior mediastinum and the stomach as a reconstruction option after esophagectomy has wide acceptance, there are concerns about the potential cardiac impairment it could cause. We prospectively studied 27 patients regarding the function and the systolic diameter, diastolic diameter, shortening fraction, ejection fraction and the presence of extrinsic compression. The patients were studied preoperatively and between the 45th and 60th postoperative days. The parameters were still within normal clinical ranges. We concluded that this type of reconstruction does not harm the patients in terms of their cardiac function.

Comparative anatomical study of the anterior and posterior mediastinum as access routes after esophagectomy

Esophagectomy is the main option for treatment of esophageal cancer. Among the subjects of surgical interest is the use of anterior versus posterior mediastinum to permit reconstruction of the alimentary tract. We performed postmortem measurements in order to analyze the lengths of both routes. For each route (anterior and posterior) we performed two measurements. The first one was called anatomical route and the second was named as surgical route. Both routes begin at the cricoid cartilage. The anatomical route goes to the celiac axis and the surgical route goes to the gastroduodenal artery. Our results show that in both routes the posterior mediastinum is a shorter way to reach the cervical region.

Androgen-induced cell growth and c-myc expression in human non-transformed epithelial prostatic cells in primary culture

We assessed androgen-induced cell growth and c-myc expression in human non-transformed epithelial prostatic (HNTEP) cells in primary culture. Prostatic tissue was obtained from 48 retropubic prostatectomy patients (age: 61-77years) with benign prostatic hyperplasia (malignant tumors excluded). HNTEP cells were treated with testosterone or DHT, alone or in association with hydroxyflutamide. DHT action on c-myc mRNA was examined using Northern blots and RT-PCR. RT-PCR also was used to verify if HNTEP cells expressed the androgen receptor gene. Cell proliferation was assessed on days 3 and 6. Testosterone (2 x 10(-11) M) and DHT (10(-13)M) caused a significant increase (P < 0.05) in cell proliferation on both days. Addition of hydroxyflutamide (10(-6) M) to DHT abolished cell proliferation. HNTEP cells expressed androgen receptor (AR) gene and the treatment with DHT increased AR mRNA levels. C-myc expression was maximal at 30 min and 1 h with DHT (10(-13) M). C-myc seems to play a key role in the control of hormone responsiveness and cell proliferation in epithelial prostatic cells. The detection of androgen receptor gene expression and the increase in this expression with the addition of androgen shows that the HTNEP cells maintain functional characteristics and hormone dependence, and that they are a fruitful in vitro model for studying steroid hormone action mechanisms.

Birthweight, childhood growth and risk of breast cancer in a British cohort

We have examined the relationship between birthweight and risk of breast cancer, taking into account growth in childhood, using data on a total of 2221 women born in 1946 and followed up to 1997. Thirty-seven breast cancers occurred during follow-up. There was evidence of greater risk of breast cancer with greater birthweight (rate ratio = 1.76 (95% CI: 0.92, 3.35) for birthweight >/= 3.5 kg vs birthweight < 3.5 kg), which was more marked at pre-menopausal ages (RR = 2.31, 95% CI: 0.93, 5.74). The relation with birthweight was not substantially confounded by any of the measured adult risk factors. A significant interaction was observed between the effects of birthweight and height at age 7 years. Relative to those born lighter than 3.5 kg, women who were heavy at birth (>/= 3.5 kg) and short or average at 7 years (< 1.22 m) had a 21% increase in breast cancer rates (RR = 1.21; 95% CI = 0.49-2.99), while women who were heavy at birth (>/= 3.5 kg) but tall at 7 years (>/= 1.22 m) had a four-fold increase (RR = 4.01; 95% CI = 1.82-8.83). These results suggest that the effect of birthweight on breast cancer risk may be modulated by childhood growth.

Bioavailability of once- and twice-daily regimens of didanosine in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children

The bioavailability of didanosine at 180 mg/m(2) once daily was compared to that at 90 mg/m(2) twice daily in 24 children with advanced human immunodeficiency virus infection. Children were studied at steady state using optimal sampling and prior pharmacokinetic parameter estimates. Relative bioavailability was 0. 95 +/- 0.49, supporting the potential clinical adequacy of once-daily dosing.

The influence of the transposed stomach through the posterior mediastinum on the respiratory forced expiratory volume and forced vital capacity in patients with resected esophageal cancer

Although the use of the posterior mediastinum and the stomach as a reconstruction option after esophagectomy has large acceptance all over the world, there are concerns about the potential respiratory impairment it could cause. We prospectively studied 35 patients regarding the forced expiratory volume and vital capacity. The patients were studied preoperatively and between the 45th and 60th postoperative days. The value of both parameters decreased, although they were still within normal clinical ranges. We concluded that this type of reconstruction does not harm the patients regarding the respiratory flow rates.

Effects of bromocriptine on serum prolactin levels, pituitary weight and immunoreactive prolactin cells in estradiol-treated ovariectomized rats: an experimental model of estrogen-dependent hyperprolactinemia

The present study was designed to assess the effects of bromocriptine, a dopamine agonist, on pituitary wet weight, number of immunoreactive prolactin cells and serum prolactin concentrations in estradiol-treated rats. Ovariectomized Wistar rats were injected subcutaneously with sunflower oil vehicle or estradiol valerate (50 or 300 micrograms/rat(-1) week (-1) for 2, 4, or 10 weeks. Bromocriptine (0.2 or 0.6 mg rat (-1) day (-1)) was injected daily during the last 5 or 12 days of estrogen treatment. Data were compared with those obtained for intact control rats. Administration of both doses of estrogen increased serum prolactin levels. No difference in the number of prolactin cells in rats treated with 50 micrograms estradiol valerate was observed compared to intact adult animals. In contrast, rats treated with 300 micrograms estradiol valerate showed a significant increase in the number of prolactin cells (P < 0.05). Therefore, the increase inn serum prolactin levels observed in rats treated with 50 micrograms estradiol valerate, in the absence of morphological changes in the pituitary cells, suggests a "functional" estrogen-induced hyperprolactinemia. Bromocriptine decreased prolactin levels in all estrogen-treated rats. The administration of this drug to rats previously treated with 300 micrograms estradiol valerate also resulted in a significant decrease in pituitary weight and number of prolactin cells when compared to the group treated with estradiol alone. The general antiprolactinemic and antiproliferative pituitary effects of bromocriptine treatment reported here validate the experimental model of estrogen-induced hyperprolactinemic rats.

[Digoxin. The drug of choice for the in-utero treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia]

Fetal tachyarrhythmia may constitute a risk for the fetus, therefore early treatment is indicate for all cases of tachydysrhythmia, with or without hydrops, in order to prevent irreversible hydrops. A case report is described of supraventricular paroxysmal tachycardia with digoxin in utero therapy in which pharmacological intervention was successful. Some comments are regarding the experience of the multidisciplinary team at Bissaya-Barreto Maternity in the treatment and orientation of fetal tachydysrhythmias.

Effects of tamoxifen on serum prolactin levels, pituitary immunoreactive prolactin cells and uterine growth in estradiol-treated ovariectomized rats

Pituitary effects of the antiestrogen tamoxifen are not well established, although estrogen is known to have a stimulatory role in prolactin secretion. Effects of tamoxifen on serum prolactin levels, pituitary wet weight and number of prolactin cells were studied. Ovariectomized female Wistar rats were injected, subcutaneously, with estradiol valerate, 50 or 300 micrograms/rat per week for 2 or 10 weeks. Tamoxifen was injected during the last days of estrogen treatment. Data were compared with two other groups, treated with estradiol valerate alone or estradiol valerate plus the dopamine agonist bromocriptine. Serum prolactin levels were increased by estrogen treatment with all doses used. Furthermore, rats treated with 300 micrograms of estradiol valerate, for 2 and 10 weeks, showed a clear increase in pituitary weight and number of prolactin cells (p < 0.05). Bromocriptine decreased prolactin levels, pituitary weight and the number of prolactin cells (p < 0.05). Tamoxifen associated to subacute period of estrogen administration resulted in a significant reduction of serum prolactin levels and pituitary weight (p < 0.05). No effects on prolactin levels or number of prolatin cells were observed with tamoxifen associated to chronic estrogen treatment. Tamoxifen also presented a dose-related inhibitory effect upon estrogen-stimulated rises in uterine weight and DNA content. In conclusion, the results of the present paper showed that tamoxifen reduced estrogen-stimulated prolactin levels in some, but not in other hormonal conditions and that these effects were not mediated by an inhibition of lactotroph cell growth. Further studies are needed to define the exact role of antiestrogens at molecular level in hyperprolactinemic states and their eventual connection with dopamine and its agonists.

Effects of norethisterone acetate and tamoxifen on serum prolactin levels, uterine growth and on the presence of uterine immunoreactive prolactin in estradiol-treated ovariectomized rats

The aim of the present work was to study the effects of the antiestrogen tamoxifen (TAM), of progestin norethisterone acetate (NA) and of their combination on serum prolactin levels, uterine growth and the presence of uterine immunoreactive prolactin in estradiol-treated rats. Ovariectomized female Wistar rats were injected sc with estradiol valerate (VE, 50 micrograms/rat per week) or oil vehicle. During the second week, estradiol-treated rats also received NA (0.12 or 1.0 mg/rat, sc, daily) or TAM (0.06 mg/rat) alone or in combination with NA (0.12 mg). Serum prolactin levels were suppressed to the same extent in the TAM- and 1.0 mg NA-treated groups compared with rats given estrogen alone (2.3 +/- 0.3 and 5.6 +/- 1.5 ng/ml for TAM and NA groups vs 39.7 +/- 3.6 ng/ml for VE groups, P < 0.05). Except for the lowest dose of NA, uterine wet weight and DNA content were significantly reduced in all groups compared to estradiol alone (236.8 +/- 18.0 and 295.6 +/- 27.8 mg vs 309.4 +/- 32.2 mg for uterine weight in TAM and NA groups vs VE, respectively, P < 0.05; and 1.14 +/- 0.05 and 0.93 +/- 0.04 mg/uterus vs 1.33 +/- 0.06 mg/uterus for uterine DNA in TAM and NA groups vs VE groups). The combination of NA and TAM resulted in a higher degree of suppression of uterine growth than when each drug was used alone, indicating an additive antiproliferative effect of NA and TAM. Although no prolactin immunostaining was detected in the uterus of rats treated with estradiol, uterine immunoreactive prolactin was identified in those treated with NA, TAM or both.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)