METABOLISM OF PROGESTERONE IN UTERINE TISSUE OF NON-PREGNANT RATS IN VITRO

1976 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 583-603 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. P. Lisboa ◽  
M. Holtermann

ABSTRACT The metabolism of labelled progesterone was studied in vitro in uterine tissue of non-pregnant rats with particular emphasis on the influence of substrate concentration. Neither a qualitative nor quantitative difference was found for a steroid tissue ratio between 15 × 10−6 and 4.2 × 10−9 to 1 g (substrate amounts between 57.73 and 0.02 nmol); with both concentrations 42 to 44 per cent of progesterone was metabolized to about 35 per cent monohydroxymonoketonic steroids and 4–6 per cent dihydroxylated C21O2-compounds. In both sets of incubations we have isolated and identified the following steroids: 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one, 3β-hydroxy-4-pregnen-20-one, 3α-hydroxy-4-pregnen-20-one, 20α-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one, 5α-pregnane-3α,20α-diol and 4-pregnene-3α,20α-diol. The most abundant metabolite formed in these incubations was 3α-hydroxy-4-pregnen-20-one -which corresponds to about 30 per cent of the total activity recovered. It is the first time that the presence of 20α-hydroxysteroid-oxidoreductase activity is definitely established in this type of tissue. The identification of three allylic alcohols as progesterone metabolites in the rat uterus confirms that Δ4-3-hydroxysteroids are important intermediates in the in vitro uterine metabolism of steroids.

1976 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. 604-620 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. P. Lisboa ◽  
M. Holtermann

ABSTRACT In vitro experiments carried out with uterus preparations of ovariectomized adult rats indicate the presence in this tissue of a 20β-hydroxysteroid-oxidoreductase which catalyzes the conversion of 20β-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one to progesterone. Since a hepatic 20β-hydroxysteroid-oxidoreductase is absent in adult female rats, the myometrial enzyme can be responsible for the biological activity of 20β-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one in these animals. Besides progesterone five metabolites were isolated and identified after incubation of [4-14C]20β-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one with uterine tissue: 20β-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-3-one, 20β-hydroxy-5β-pregnan-3-one, 5α-pregnane-3α,20β-diol, 4-pregnene-3α,20β-diol and 4-pregnene-3β,20β-diol. The conversion of 20β-hydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one to progesterone permits us to regard all five steroids isolated as progesterone metabolites in the rat uterus. 20β-hydroxy-5β-pregnan-3-one is the first C21-metabolite with a 5β(H)-configuration isolated in the rat uterus, which indicates the presence of 5β-reductase in this tissue.


1983 ◽  
Vol 50 (02) ◽  
pp. 518-523 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Kluft ◽  
A F H Jie ◽  
R A Allen

SummaryFunctional assay of extrinsic (tissue-type) plasminogen activator (EPA) in plasma on fibrin plates was evaluated. Using specific quenching antibodies, we demonstrated the method to be specific for EPA under all conditions tested. Contributions of urokinases and intrinsic activators were excluded. The quantity of EPA in blood samples, as compared with purified uterine tissue activator, shows 1 blood activator unit (BAU) to be comparable to 0.93 ng.The median values for EPA activity for healthy volunteers were: baseline, 1.9 BAU/ml (n = 123); diurnal, 5.5 BAU/ml (n = 12); DDAVP administration, 11.7 BAU/ml (n = 39); exhaustive exercise, 25 BAU/ml (n = 24); venous occlusion (15 min), 35 BAU/ml (n = 61). A large inter-individual variation in EPA activity was found, while individual baseline values tended to be constant for periods of weeks.In vitro in blood EPA activity shows a disappearance of 50% in about 90 min at 37° C; EPA activity in euglobulin fractions is stable for ≤2 hr at 37° C.A rapid decrease in EPA activity occurs in vivo, as noted after extracorporal circulation and exercise stimulation (t½ decay, 2-5 min).


1970 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-99
Author(s):  
K. Choudhary ◽  
M. Singh ◽  
M. S. Rathore ◽  
N. S. Shekhawat

This long term study demonstrates for the first time that it is possible to propagate embryogenic Vigna trilobata and to subsequently initiate the differentiation of embryos into complete plantlets. Initiation of callus was possible on 2,4-D. Somatic embryos differentiated on modified MS basal nutrient medium with 1.0 mg/l  of 2,4-D and 0.5 mg/l  of Kn. Sustained cell division resulted in globular and heart shape stages of somatic embryos. Transfer of embryos on to a fresh modified MS basal medium with 0.5 mg/l of Kn and 0.5 mg/l of GA3 helped them to attain maturation and germination. However, the propagation of cells, as well as the differentiation of embryos, were inhibited by a continuous application of these growth regulators. For this reason, a long period on medium lacking these growth regulators was necessary before the differentiation of embryos occurred again. The consequences for improving the propagation of embryogenic cultures in Vigna species are discussed. Key words: Pasture  legume, Vigna trilobata, Globular, Heart shape, somatic embryogenesis D.O.I. 10.3329/ptcb.v19i1.4990 Plant Tissue Cult. & Biotech. 19(1): 89-99, 2009 (June)


2018 ◽  
pp. 47-52

Epimedium elatum (Morren & Decne) of family Berberidaceace is a rare perennial medicinal plant, endemic to high altitude forests of Northwestern Himalayas in India. Ethnobotanically, it has been used as an ingredient for treatment of bone-joint disorders, impotence and kidney disorders in Kashmir Himalayas. Phytochemically, it is rich in Epimedin ABC and Icariin; all of these have been demonstrated to possess remarkable biological activities like PDE-5 inhibition (treatment of erectile dysfunction), anticancer, antiosteoporosis antioxidant and antiviral properties. The present investigation reports its traditional usage, comprehensive distribution and conservation status from twenty ecogeographical regions in Kashmir Himalayas, India. The species was reported from Gurez valley for the first time. Numerous threats like excessive grazing, deforestration, habitat fragmentation, tourism encroachment, landslides and excessive exploitation have decreased its natural populations in most of the surveyed habitats. Consequently, its existence may become threatened in near future if timely conservation steps are not taken immediately by concerned stakeholders involved in medicinal plant research. Moreover, use of plant tissue culture techniques is recommended for development of its in vitro propagation protocols. Therefore, introduction of this medicinal plant in botanical gardens, protected sites and development of monitoring programmes are needed for its immediate conservation in Northwestern Himalayas, India.


Author(s):  
Daria Monaldi ◽  
Dante Rotili ◽  
Julien Lancelot ◽  
Martin Marek ◽  
Nathalie Wössner ◽  
...  

The only drug for treatment of Schistosomiasis is Praziquantel, and the possible emergence of resistance makes research on novel therapeutic agents necessary. Targeting of Schistosoma mansoni epigenetic enzymes, which regulate the parasitic life cycle, emerged as promising approach. Due to the strong effects of human Sirtuin inhibitors on parasite survival and reproduction, Schistosoma sirtuins were postulated as therapeutic targets. In vitro testing of synthetic substrates of S. mansoni Sirtuin 2 (SmSirt2) and kinetic experiments on a myristoylated peptide demonstrated lysine long chain deacylation as an intrinsic SmSirt2 activity for the first time. Focused in vitro screening of the GSK Kinetobox library and structure-activity relationships (SAR) of identified hits, led to the first SmSirt2 inhibitors with activity in the low micromolar range. Several SmSirt2 inhibitors showed potency against both larval schistosomes (viability) and adult worms (pairing, egg laying) in culture without general toxicity to human cancer cells.<br>


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (17) ◽  
pp. 1857-1866
Author(s):  
Munawar Hussain ◽  
Zaheer Ahmed ◽  
Shamsun N. Khan ◽  
Syed A. A. Shah ◽  
Rizwana Razi ◽  
...  

Three new 5-deoxyflavonoid and dihydroflavonoids 2, 3 and 4 have been isolated from the methanolic extract of Abutioln pakistanicum aerial parts, for which structures were elucidated explicitly by extensive MS- and NMR-experiments. In addition to these, 3,7,4′-trihydroxy-3′-methoxy flavonol (1) is reported for the first time from Abutioln pakistanicum. Compound 2 and 4 are p-coumaric acid esters while compounds 2–4 exhibited α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Docking studies indicated that the ability of flavonoids 2, 3 and 4 to form multiple hydrogen bonds with catalytically important residues is decisive hence is responsible for the inhibition activity. The docking results signified the observed in-vitro activity quite well which is in accordance with previously obtained conclusion that phenol moiety and hydroxyl group are critical for the inhibition of α-glucosidase enzyme.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edhem Hasković ◽  
Safija Herenda ◽  
Zehra Halilović ◽  
Snežana Unčanin ◽  
Denis Hasković ◽  
...  

Background: The Spectrophotometric method is one of the most suitable analytical techniques for testing the activity of enzymes under the influence of various factors. Methods: The effect of H1-antihistamines of loratadine and calcium ions on enzyme catalase under in vitro conditions was investigated in this paper. Results and Discussion: It has been shown that loratadine isa partial inhibitor of catalase, but this effect is diminished in the presence of calcium ions. Calcium as well as other cations are important for many biological and cellular functions. The kidneys play a central role in the homeostasis of these ions. The activity of the catalase enzyme under the given conditions, the type of inhibition,and the kinetic parameters of the enzyme reaction were determined. Conclusion: We concluded that loratadine is a partially competitive inhibitor.


Author(s):  
Jorge A. Ramos-Hernández ◽  
Montserrat Calderón-Santoyo ◽  
Armando Burgos-Hernández ◽  
Joel S. García- Romo ◽  
Arturo Navarro-Ocaña ◽  
...  

Background: Cancer is a disease characterized by the invasion and uncontrolled growth of cells. One of the best ways to minimize the harmful effects of mutagens is through the use of natural antimutagens. In this regard, the search for new antimutagens that act in the chemoprevention could represent a promising field in this area. Objective: In this study biological potential of 11 fractions from Coccoloba uvifera L. leaf hexane extract was evaluated by several in vitro tests. Methods: Leaves were lyophilized and hexane extraction was performed. The extract was fractionated by column chromatography with hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol. The antimutagenic (Ames test), antiproliferative (MTT test), and antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS, and ferrous ion chelation) of the fractions were evaluated. Results: Fractions 4, 6, 8, and 9 have antimutagenic activity (against sodium azide in strain TA100), fraction 11 showed antiproliferative capacity (IC50 of 24 ± 9 μg/mL in cells of HCT 116). The fractions with the highest activity were analyzed by HPLC-MS and lupeol, acacetin, and β-sitosterol were identified. Conclusion: This study demonstrates, for the first time, the bioactivity of C. uvifera leaf as a new source of high biological value compounds (HBVC), which can be of interest to the food and pharmaceutical industries.


Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 819
Author(s):  
Nicolai Rügen ◽  
Timothy P. Jenkins ◽  
Natalie Wielsch ◽  
Heiko Vogel ◽  
Benjamin-Florian Hempel ◽  
...  

Assassin bug venoms are potent and exert diverse biological functions, making them potential biomedical goldmines. Besides feeding functions on arthropods, assassin bugs also use their venom for defense purposes causing localized and systemic reactions in vertebrates. However, assassin bug venoms remain poorly characterized. We collected the venom from the assassin bug Rhynocoris iracundus and investigated its composition and bioactivity in vitro and in vivo. It caused lysis of murine neuroblastoma, hepatoma cells, and healthy murine myoblasts. We demonstrated, for the first time, that assassin bug venom induces neurolysis and suggest that it counteracts paralysis locally via the destruction of neural networks, contributing to tissue digestion. Furthermore, the venom caused paralysis and melanization of Galleria mellonella larvae and pupae, whilst also possessing specific antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, but not Listeria grayi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A combinatorial proteo-transcriptomic approach was performed to identify potential toxins responsible for the observed effects. We identified neurotoxic Ptu1, an inhibitory cystin knot (ICK) toxin homologous to ω-conotoxins from cone snails, cytolytic redulysins homologous to trialysins from hematophagous kissing bugs, and pore-forming hemolysins. Additionally, chitinases and kininogens were found and may be responsible for insecticidal and cytolytic activities. We demonstrate the multifunctionality and complexity of assassin bug venom, which renders its molecular components interesting for potential biomedical applications.


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