Different mechanisms for the inhibition of progesterone secretion by ACTH and corticosterone in pregnant rats

1991 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Sugino ◽  
H. Tamura ◽  
Y. Nakamura ◽  
K. Ueda ◽  
H. Kato

ABSTRACT The present study investigated possible sites through which ACTH or corticosterone inhibit progesterone secretion in pregnant rats, and the role of placental factors in blocking the inhibitory effect. The number of conceptuses was adjusted to one (1C group) or more than ten (FC group) on day 7 of pregnancy by aspirating the desired number. Serum concentrations of progesterone, testosterone and oestradiol were significantly (P<0·01) lower on day 15 in the 1C group than in the FC group. Corpora lutea (CL) obtained on day 15 were incubated for 6 h with corticosterone or ACTH. Corticosterone (1 μmol/l) significantly (P<0·05) inhibited progesterone secretion in the IC group but not in the FC group. The inhibitory effect of corticosterone in the IC group was completely blocked by co-addition of 1 μmol testosterone/l or 1 μmol oestradiol/l but not by 1 μmol dihydrotestosterone/l. ACTH (1 μg/l–1 mg/l) had no direct effect on progesterone secretion in either the IC or the FC groups, although ACTH apparently decreases progesterone secretion in vivo. Placentae obtained from rats of the FC group on day 15 were incubated for 24 h with or without ACTH (1 mg/l). The supernatant after placental incubation without ACTH significantly (P<0·01) increased progesterone secretion by the CL in both the IC and FC groups, and also eliminated the inhibitory effect of corticosterone in the IC group. The supernatant after placental incubation with ACTH also increased progesterone secretion in the FC group as effectively as the supernatant from the control incubation, but it had no effect in the IC group. It is concluded that corticosterone directly inhibits progesterone secretion by the CL, whereas the inhibitory effect of ACTH is mediated through the placenta. The results indicate that these inhibitory effects of corticosterone or ACTH are eliminated if the CL has been exposed to enough placental hormones before day 15 of pregnancy. Journal of Endocrinology (1991) 129, 405–410

1964 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 371-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard G. Steinetz ◽  
Vivian L. Beach ◽  
Lenore V. Tripp ◽  
Ralph J. DeFalco

ABSTRACT Serum of rabbits repeatedly injected with porcine relaxin in Freund's adjuvant contained demonstrable antibodies to the hormone. The antisera agglutinated relaxin-coated latex particles, inhibited interpubic ligament formation in relaxin treated mice, and produced visible bands when reacted with relaxin on Ouchterlony plates. The antisera also inhibited the pubic symphysis-relaxing activity of ovaries of pregnant rats or mice, corpora lutea of whales, and an extract of rooster testes. The inhibitory effects on pelvic relaxation in mice were prevented by prior incubation of the antisera with small amounts of relaxin, or with pregnant sow or rat ovaries, human or whale corpora lutea or rooster testis extract. Cross reactions were observed between antisera to porcine relaxin and tissues of whales, armadillos, roosters and humans on Ouchterlony plates. These reactions did not occur if the antisera were first neutralized with porcine relaxin. The findings suggest the presence of substances similar to porcine relaxin in a variety of species.


Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 2231
Author(s):  
Qingjun Lu ◽  
Hao Shen ◽  
Han Yu ◽  
Jing Fu ◽  
Hui Dong ◽  
...  

The role of Kupffer cells (KCs) in liver regeneration is complicated and controversial. To investigate the distinct role of F4/80+ KCs at the different stages of the regeneration process, two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PHx) was performed in mice to induce physiological liver regeneration. In pre- or post-PHx, the clearance of KCs by intraperitoneal injection of the anti-F4/80 antibody (α-F4/80) was performed to study the distinct role of F4/80+ KCs during the regenerative process. In RNA sequencing of isolated F4/80+ KCs, the initiation phase was compared with the progression phase. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining of Ki67, HNF-4α, CD-31, and F4/80 and Western blot of the TGF-β2 pathway were performed. Depletion of F4/80+ KCs in pre-PHx delayed the peak of hepatocyte proliferation from 48 h to 120 h, whereas depletion in post-PHx unexpectedly led to persistent inhibition of hepatocyte proliferation, indicating the distinct role of F4/80+ KCs in the initiation and progression phases of liver regeneration. F4/80+ KC depletion in post-PHx could significantly increase TGF-β2 serum levels, while TGF-βRI partially rescued the impaired proliferation of hepatocytes. Additionally, F4/80+ KC depletion in post-PHx significantly lowered the expression of oncostatin M (OSM), a key downstream mediator of interleukin-6, which is required for hepatocyte proliferation during liver regeneration. In vivo, recombinant OSM (r-OSM) treatment alleviated the inhibitory effect of α-F4/80 on the regenerative progression. Collectively, F4/80+ KCs release OSM to inhibit TGF-β2 activation, sustaining hepatocyte proliferation by releasing a proliferative brake.


Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 493
Author(s):  
 Chung-Yu Chen ◽  
Chien-Rung Chen ◽  
Chiao-Nan Chen ◽  
Paulus S. Wang ◽  
Toby Mündel ◽  
...  

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the amphetamine effects on progesterone and estradiol production in rat granulosa cells and the underlying cellular regulatory mechanisms. Freshly dispersed rat granulosa cells were cultured with various test drugs in the presence of amphetamine, and the estradiol/progesterone production and the cytosolic cAMP level were measured. Additionally, the cytosolic-free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) were measured to examine the role of Ca2+ influx in the presence of amphetamine. Amphetamine in vitro inhibited both basal and porcine follicle-stimulating hormone-stimulated estradiol/progesterone release, and amphetamine significantly decreased steroidogenic enzyme activities. Adding 8-Bromo-cAMP did not recover the inhibitory effects of amphetamine on progesterone and estradiol release. H89 significantly decreased progesterone and estradiol basal release but failed to enhance a further amphetamine inhibitory effect. Amphetamine was capable of further suppressing the release of estradiol release under the presence of nifedipine. Pretreatment with the amphetamine for 2 h decreased the basal [Ca2+]i and prostaglandin F2α-stimulated increase of [Ca2+]i. Amphetamine inhibits progesterone and estradiol secretion in rat granulosa cells through a mechanism involving decreased PKA-downstream steroidogenic enzyme activity and L-type Ca2+ channels. Our current findings show that it is necessary to study the possibility of amphetamine perturbing reproduction in females.


1985 ◽  
Vol 107 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Martinet ◽  
D. Allain ◽  
Y. Chabi

ABSTRACT In mink, termination of the delayed implantation period, following reactivation of the corpora lutea, and onset of the spring moult are associated with a rise in prolactin secretion triggered by increasing daylength, while decreasing daylength induces the autumn moult. To establish whether suppression of the function of the pineal rendered the mink unresponsive to daylength changes, the superior cervical ganglion was removed bilaterally 2–4 weeks before mating. Intact and operated females were then left outdoors or were put under a lighting regime of either 15 h light: 9 h darkness (15L: 9D) or 8L: 16D. In July, at the end of the spring moult, the 15L: 9D lighting regime was changed to one of 8L: 16D. Under artificial photoperiods ganglionectomy suppressed the stimulatory role of long days and the inhibitory role of short days on prolactin secretion, and consequently on progesterone secretion and spring moult. Neither was the autumn moult, induced early in intact females by the change to a short photoperiod, advanced in ganglionectomized females, showing that the latter were unresponsive to the artificial modification of the photoperiod. However, in animals kept outdoors, prolactin and progesterone secretion and spring moult were not changed by ganglionectomy. Increase in body weight and autumn moult were only slightly delayed by the operation suggesting that other environmental factors had replaced the synchronizing effect of the daylength changes. Alternatively the desynchronization between intact females responsive to photoperiodism and those rendered unresponsive may be too slow to be observed soon after ganglionectomy. J. Endocr. (1985) 107, 31–39


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Hanqing Chen ◽  
Xiru Xu ◽  
Zhengqing Liu ◽  
Yong Wu

Hypertension is considered a risk factor for a series of systematic diseases. Known factors including genetic predisposition, age, and diet habits are strongly associated with the initiation of hypertension. The current study aimed to investigate the role of miR-22-3p in hypertension. In this study, we discovered that the miR-22-3p level was significantly decreased in the thoracic aortic vascular tissues and aortic smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) of spontaneously hypertensive rats. Functionally, the overexpression of miR-22-3p facilitated the switch of ASMCs from the synthetic to contractile phenotype. To investigate the underlying mechanism, we predicted 11 potential target mRNAs for miR-22-3p. After screening, chromodomain helicase DNA-binding 9 (CHD9) was validated to bind with miR-22-3p. Rescue assays showed that the co-overexpression of miR-22-3p and CHD9 reversed the inhibitory effect of miR-22-3p mimics on cell proliferation, migration, and oxidative stress in ASMCs. Finally, miR-22-3p suppressed vascular remodeling and oxidative stress in vivo. Overall, miR-22-3p regulated ASMC phenotype switch by targeting CHD9. This new discovery provides a potential insight into hypertension treatment.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Alarabi ◽  
Zubair Karim ◽  
Victoria Hinojos ◽  
Patricia A Lozano ◽  
Keziah Hernandez ◽  
...  

Platelet activation involves tightly regulated processes to ensure a proper hemostasis response, but when unbalanced, can lead to pathological consequences such as thrombus formation. G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate platelet function by interacting with and mediating the response to various physiological agonists. To this end, an essential mediator of GPCR signaling is the G protein Gαβγ heterotrimers, in which the βγ subunits are central players in downstream signaling pathways. While much is known regarding the role of the Gα subunit in platelet function, that of the βγ remains poorly understood. Therefore, we investigated the role of Gβγ subunits in platelet function using a Gβγ (small molecule) inhibitor, namely gallein. We observed that gallein inhibits platelet aggregation and secretion in response to agonist stimulation, in both mouse and human platelets. Furthermore, gallein also exerted inhibitory effects on integrin αIIbβ3 activation and clot retraction. Finally, gallein’s inhibitory effects manifested in vivo , as documented by its ability to modulate physiological hemostasis and delay thrombus formation. Taken together, our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that Gβγ directly regulates GPCR-dependent platelet function, in vitro and in vivo . Moreover, these data highlight Gβγ as a novel therapeutic target for managing thrombotic disorders.


1987 ◽  
Vol 253 (4) ◽  
pp. H909-H918 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. K. Jackson

The purpose of this study was to compare the in vivo role of adenosine as a modulator of noradrenergic neurotransmission in the spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and Wistar-Kyoto control rat (WKY). In the in situ blood-perfused rat mesentery, vascular responses to periarterial (sympathetic) nerve stimulation (PNS) and to exogenous norepinephrine (NE) were enhanced in SHR compared with WKY. In both SHR and WKY, vascular responses to PNS were more sensitive to inhibition by adenosine than were responses to NE. At matched base-line vascular responses, compared with WKY, SHR were less sensitive to the inhibitory effects of adenosine on vascular responses to PNS, but SHR and WKY were equally sensitive with respect to adenosine-induced inhibition of responses to NE. Antagonism of adenosine receptors with 1,3-dipropyl-8-p-sulfophenylxanthine shifted the dose-response curve to exogenous adenosine sixfold to the right yet did not influence vascular responses to PNS or NE in either SHR or WKY. Furthermore, PNS did not alter either arterial or mesenteric venous plasma levels of adenosine in SHR or WKY, and plasma levels of adenosine in both strains were always lower than the calculated threshold level required to attenuate neurotransmission. It is concluded that in vivo 1) exogenous adenosine interferes with noradrenergic neurotransmission in both SHR and WKY; 2) SHR are less sensitive to the inhibitory effects of exogenous adenosine on noradrenergic neurotransmission than are WKY; 3) endogenous adenosine does not play a role in modulating neurotransmission in either strain under the conditions of this study; and 4) enhanced noradrenergic neurotransmission in the SHR is not due to defective modulation of neurotransmission by adenosine.


1996 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 358-362 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Kanayama ◽  
H Osada ◽  
K Nariai ◽  
T Endo

The dose-response relationship for the inhibitory effect of indomethacin on implantation and continuance of pregnancy was examined in four groups of rabbits administered with indomethacin (2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 mg/kg) during the implantation period and compared with a control group. Implanted fetuses and corpora lutea were counted by laparotomy, and the number of offspring born was noted. The inhibitory effect of indomethacin on implantation was found to be dose–dependent, and the birth rate decreased in the indomethacin groups compared with the control group. As a result, even where implantation had been achieved, death of the implanted fetuses occurred at a high rate in rabbits administered with indomethacin during the implantation period.


1981 ◽  
Author(s):  
J P Cazenave ◽  
A Beretz ◽  
A Stierlé ◽  
R Anton

Injury to the endothelium (END) and subsequent platelet (PLAT)interactions with the subEND are important steps in thrombosis and atherosclerosis. Thus,drugs that protect the END from injury and also inhibit PLAT function are of interest. It has been shown that some flavonoids(FLA), a group of compounds found in plants, prevent END desquamation in vivo, inhibit cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases(PDE)and inhibit PLAT function. We have studied the structure-activity relationships of 13 purified FLA on aggregation and secretion of 14c-5HT of prelabeled washed human PLAT induced by ADP, collagen(COLL) and thrombin(THR). All the FLA were inhibitors of the 3 agents tested. Quercetin(Q), was the second best after fisetin. It inhibited secretion and aggregation with I50 of 330µM against 0.1 U/ML.THR, 102µM against 5µM ADP and 40 µM against COLL. This inhibitory effect is in the range of that of other PDE inhibitors like dipyridamole or 3-isobutyl-l- methylxanthine. The aggregation induced by ADP, COLL and THR is at least mediated by 3 mechanisms that can be inhibited by increasing cAMP levels. We next investigated if Q, which is a PDE inhibitor of bovine aortic microsomes,raises PLAT cAMP levels. cAMP was measured by a protein-binding method. ADP- induced aggregation(5µM) was inhibited by PGI2 (0.1 and 0.5 nM) . Inhibition was further potentiated(l.7 and 3.3 times) by lOµM Q, which alone has no effect on aggregation. The basal level of cAMP(2.2 pmol/108PLAT) was not modified by Q (50 to 500µM). Using these concentrations of Q,the rise in cAMP caused by PGI2(0.1 and 0.5nM) was potentiated in a dose dependent manner. Q potentiated the effect of PGI2 on the maximum level of cAMP and retarded its breakdown. Thus Q and possibly other FLA could inhibit the interaction of PLAT with the components of the vessel wall by preventing END damage and by inhibiting PLAT function through a rise in cAMP secondary to PDE inhibition and potentiation of the effect of vascular PGI2 on PLAT adenylate cyclase.


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