scholarly journals Evaluation of the effect of inactivation by microwave and autoclave in homeopathic medicines

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (36) ◽  
pp. 226-228
Author(s):  
Aurea Regina Telles Pupulin ◽  
Thiago Telles Pupulin ◽  
Bruno Reis ◽  
Carlos Moacir Bonato
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Electromagnetic Waves ◽  
Aerial Part ◽  
The Other ◽  
Root Weight ◽  
Similar Response ◽  
Homeopathic Medicine ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Fresh Root

Background: The Brazilian Pharmacopoeia defines the sterilization process as a "method" intended to remove or destroy all forms of life, animal or plant, macroscopic or microscopic, saprophytic or not, present in the product concerned, without ensuring the complete inactivation of toxins or cellular enzymes. Microwaves are electromagnetic waves with frequencies ranging between 300MHz (300x106 Hz) and 300 GHz (300x109 Hz) and wavelengths from 1 m to 1 mm[1]. They are waves that lie within the region between TV waves and the infrared region within the spectrum of electromagnetic waves. According to the Technical Standards Textbook for Homeopathic Pharmacy, glass tubes may be reused after washed with running and purified water and inactivated by autoclaving at 120oC for 30 minutes or by a dry air buffer at 180oC for 30 minutes or at 140oC for 1 hour [2]. Aims: Current experiment evaluates the influence of ultra-diluted Sulphur with and without inactivation by autoclaving and microwaving for certain variables in the germination and growth of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench - cv TX623B). Methodology: Ten milliliters of Sulphur in homeopathic dinamizations (proposed by Hering - DH) 9DH, 18DH and 30DH inactivated by microwave and by autoclave heat, and control with water, were added to petri dishes in which 20 sorghum seeds were distributed. The experiment was conducted in a growth chamber (BOD) at 25oC and during a 16-h photoperiod. Double-blind methodology to avoid researcher’s possible interferences or trends, coupled to statistic treatment at the end of the experiment, was employed. Data underwent variance analysis and means were compared by Scott-Knott’s test at 5% probability. Results: Homeopathy Sulphur changed the evaluated parameters of 9DH, 18 DH and 30 DH dinamizations when compared to control (water). Differences existed with regard to effects of the different microwave-treated (M9DH, M18DH, M30DH) and autoclaving-treated (A9DH, A18DH, A30DH) dinamizations. Sulphur had no significant difference in the aerial length (CPA) when compared with that of control. In the case of the same homeopathic treatments previously undergoing autoclaving, the three dinamizations had a similar response to CPA. The same occurred with drugs submitted to microwaves. With regard to root’s growth (CSR), treatment with Sulphur inhibited growth in the dinamizations 18 DH and 30 DH when compared to control. This did not occur with 9 DH which had the same effect as that of water. In the case of groups treated with medicines 30 DH and 9DH undergoing microwaves, the same effect of water was reported. Consequently, microwaves inactivated the effect of homeopathic medicine. However, in 18DH under the effect of microwaves, the effect of drug 18DH was reported. Consequently, there was growth inhibition but no inactivation by microwaves. In the case of groups treated with autoclaved medicine, a greater root growth was reported. This fact shows that autoclaving altered the homeopathic medicine. In fact, it had an opposite effect when compared to control. On the other hand, when Fresh Root Weight was evaluated, differences in control were reported only for groups treated with autoclaved medicines. These results were similar to those of the group treated with medicine 18DH. An increase in the fresh root weight was reported agreeing with a greater root growth. Results related to the aerial part and to the root of the dry mass failed to show any significant difference among the groups. Conclusions: Results show that different physiological responses are produced posterior to the employment of homeopathic medicine, sometimes stimulating, sometimes inhibiting root growth . The aerial part was not influenced by any treatment. On the other hand, autoclaved medicines stimulated root growth[3] [4]. This fact shows changes in the homeopathic medicine under humid heat. Microwave treatments showed an inactivation for 9DH and 30DH, but not for 18DH. The latter had the same results as those treated with Sulphur 18DH. The above results suggest that microwaves may inactivate homeopathic medicines, albeit not entirely. Therefore, it may not be a reliable inactivation methodology.

scholarly journals Development of a Nutrient Medium for the Growth of Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Roots by tTissue Culture

HortScience ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 756E-757
Author(s):  
Yousef I. Dlaigen ◽  
A. E. Said ◽  
M.A. El-Hamady
Keyword(s):  
Root Growth ◽  
Activated Charcoal ◽  
Nutrient Medium ◽  
Date Palm ◽  
The Other ◽  
Chemical Components ◽  
Nutrient Media ◽  
Adenine Sulfate ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Significant Difference

Several experiments were conducted in this investigation with the objective of determining the chemical components and the physical state of an optimal medium for the growth and elongation of excised date palm, cv Sukkari, roots. The chemical tests carried out included: Comparison of (MS)-salts with “White's”-salts mixture and different concentrations of (MS)-salts and its chelated iron; sugars; Modified White's Organics; inositol; adenine sulfate; growth regulators; and some antioxidants. The physical tests, on the other hand, included comparison of the growth and elongation of cultured roots in a liquid or on solidified nutrient media. The effects of various pH values were also tested. Roots were cultured in basal nutrient media composed of: (MS)-salts mixture, and (in mg·liter–1): NaH2PO4·H2O, 170; sucrose, 30,000; inositol, 200; Modified White's Organics; adenine sulfate, 120; activated charcoal, 1500; (2,4-D), 1; kinetin, 2. pH was adjusted at 5.7 ± 01. (MS)-salts mixture was found to be superior to “White's”-salts. No significant difference was observed between (1/2MS) and full-strength (MS)-salts. However, twice the concentration was found to be inhibitory. The normal concentration of (MS)-Fe was found to be optimum for root growth and elongation. The optimal concentration most suitable for the growth and elongation of excised date palm roots has been determined for each of: sugars; Modified White's Organics; inositol; and adenine sulfate. The only growth regulator that needs to be added to the nutrient medium is 2,4-D at 0.1–1.0 mg·liter–1. The study showed the importance of the inclusion of activated charcoal to the nutrient medium. The growth and elongation of roots were both stimulated at all concentrations tested. (PVP), on the other hand, was inhibitory at all concentrations tested. Shaken liquid media was recommended for better root growth and elongation at pH 7.0–8.0. Incidentally, the medium developed was found to support the growth and elongation of roots excised from two other cultivars, namely `Khudri' and `Khaias'.

Effectiveness of Virtual Resilience Training on Assertiveness in Student Girls Aged 9–10 Years: A 1-Month Follow-Up

2021 ◽  
pp. 105984052110135
Author(s):  
Shima Gadari ◽  
Jamile Farokhzadian ◽  
Parvin Mangolian Shahrbabaki
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Internal Stress ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
The Other ◽  
Hormonal Changes ◽  
Emotional Instability ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Resilience Training

Girls between the ages of 9 and 10 begin to experience physical, physiological, and hormonal changes that may lead to internal stress. At this age, children are struggling for autonomy; on the other hand, they may experience emotional instability, and for these reasons, they may be vulnerable in many ways. This experimental study aimed to investigate the effect of resilience training on assertiveness in student girls aged 9–10. Data were collected before, immediately after, and 1 month after the intervention in the control ( n = 40) and intervention ( n = 37) groups. There was a significant difference between the assertiveness of the intervention immediately (26.80 ± 3.73) and 1 month after the intervention (27.05 ± 3.73), and assertiveness significantly increased in the intervention group ( p = .0001). Resilience training leads to improvements in assertiveness in student girls aged 9–10.

scholarly journals The Effect of Geogebra on Students’ Conceptual and Procedural Knowledge: The Case of Applications of Derivative

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehmet Fatih Ocal
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Knowledge ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Procedural Knowledge ◽  
Dynamic Geometry ◽  
The Other ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Post Test

Integrating the properties of computer algebra systems and dynamic geometry environments, Geogebra became an effective and powerful tool for teaching and learning mathematics. One of the reasons that teachers use Geogebra in mathematics classrooms is to make students learn mathematics meaningfully and conceptually. From this perspective, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether instruction with Geogebra has effect on students’ achievements regarding their conceptual and procedural knowledge on the applications of derivative subject. This study adopted the quantitative approach with pre-test post-test control group true experimental design. The participants were composed of two calculus classrooms involving 31 and 24 students, respectively. The experimental group with 31 students received instruction with Geogebra while the control group received traditional instruction in learning the applications of derivative. Independent samples t-test was used in the analysis of the data gathered from students’ responses to Applications of Derivative Test which was subjected to them before and after teaching processes. The findings indicated that instruction with Geogebra had positive effect on students’ scores regarding conceptual knowledge and their overall scores. On the other hand, there was no significant difference between experimental and control group students’ scores regarding procedural knowledge. It could be concluded that students in both groups were focused on procedural knowledge to be successful in learning calculus subjects including applications of derivative in both groups. On the other hand, instruction with Geogebra supported students’ learning these subjects meaningfully and conceptually.

scholarly journals Configuraciones tonales de frases entonativas en enunciados aseverativos del español de la Ciudad de México

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-141
Author(s):  
Alberto Rodríguez Márquez
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Spontaneous Speech ◽  
The Other ◽  
Prosodic Features ◽  
Speech Corpus ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Speech Data ◽  
Intonational Phrases

The objective of this paper is to describe the prosodic features of the final intonation contour of minor intonational phrases (ip) and the tonemes of major intonational phrases (IP) in Mexico City’s Spanish variety. The speech data was taken from a spontaneous speech corpus made from speakers from two social networks: neighborhood and labor. Final intonation contours of ip show a predominantly rising movement. These contours are generally produced with greater length in the last syllable of the ip, which represents the most significant difference between both networks in the case of oxitone endings. On the other hand, tonemes are predominantly descendant, although the circumflex accent has an important number of cases within the data set. Tonemes produced by the neighborhood network are produced with larger length than those from the labor network.

The Subversion of Plato's Quasi-Phenomenology and Mytho-Poetics in the Symposium

Janus Head ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-76
Author(s):  
Bert Olivier ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Jacques Lacan ◽  
Human Condition ◽  
The Other ◽  
Philosophical Tradition ◽  
The Unconscious ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The One

Is there a significant difference between Plato's texts and what is known as 'Platonism', that is, the philosophical tradition that claims Plato as its progenitor? Focusing on the Symposium, an attempt is made here to show that, far from merely fitting neatly into the categories of Platonism—with its neat distinction between the super-sensible and the sensible—Plato's own text is a complex, tension-filled terrain of countervailing forces. In the Symposium this tension obtains between the perceptive insights, on the one hand, into the nature of love and beauty, as well as the bond between them, and the metaphysical leap, on the other hand, from the experiential world to a supposedly accessible, but by definition super-sensible, experience-transcending realm. It is argued that, instead of being content with the philosophical illumination of the ambivalent human condition—something consummately achieved by mytho-poetic and quasi-phenomenohgical means—Plato turns to a putatively attainable, transcendent source of metaphysical reassurance which, moreover, displays all the trappings of an ideological construct. This is demonstrated by mapping Plato's lover's vision of 'absolute beauty' on to what Jacques Lacan has characterized as the unconscious structural quasi-condition of all religious and ideological illusion.

Distribution of Calcium and Phosphate in Cells of the Enamel Organ in the Rat Lower Incisor

1987 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 236-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Kawamoto ◽  
M. Shimizu
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Enamel Organ ◽  
Maturation Stage ◽  
Lower Incisor ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Freeze Dried ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Cell Layers

The distribution of calcium and phosphate in the cells of the enamel organ of the rat lower incisors was investigated by autoradiography and energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometry (EDS). Radioactive calcium or phosphate was injected i.p. into seven-day-old rats of the Wistar strain. The animals were frozen 0.5, 1, and 10 min after injection, and embedded in 5% carboxymethyl cellulose. Sagittal sections of 10 μm thickness were made in which the lower incisor was included as a part of the whole-body section. For autoradiography, the sections were freeze-dried and placed in contact with dry thin films prepared from autoradiographic emulsion. For EDS, sections were mounted on carbon stubs, freeze-dried, coated with carbon, and examined by EDS in a SEM. 45Ca and 32P autoradiograms showed that the radioactivity was located over the papillary layer cells adjacent to the secretory stage ameloblasts and was much higher here than in the ameloblastic layer. On the other hand, there was no significant difference between the amount of radioactivity of these two cell layers in the maturation stage, although higher radioactivity was detectable in the maturation stage enamel than in the secretory stage enamel. Pronounced Ka x-ray peaks were obtained for P, S, Cl, and K originating from the cells of the papillary and ameloblastic layers in the secretory stage, but only very low peaks were obtained for Ca. On the other hand, in addition to these elements, remarkably high Ca and Fe peaks could be detected in the ameloblastic layer of the maturation stage.

Angiopoietin-1 and Osteopontin Expression by CD138+ Myeloma Cells Rather Than VEGF and CD45 Correlates with Bone Marrow Angiogenesis in Multiple Myeloma Patients at the Diagnosis.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 2501-2501
Author(s):  
Nicola Giuliani ◽  
Simona Colla ◽  
Francesca Morandi ◽  
Sabrina Bonomini ◽  
Mirca Lazzaretti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Linear Trend ◽  
The Other ◽  
Vegf Mrna ◽  
Myeloma Cells ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Angiopoietin 1

Abstract Bone marrow (BM) angiogenesis is increased in Multiple Myeloma (MM) patients and correlates with disease progression and patient survival. Myeloma cells secrete the main endothelial growth factor VEGF. In mouse models VEGF secretion as well as the angiogenic properties of MM cells correlate with the lack of CD45 expression by MM cells. However, recent data indicate that VEGF plasma cell expression is similar between MGUS and MM patients suggesting that other molecules could be involved. In line with this hypothesis we have recently demonstrated that myeloma cells may also produce factors with angiogenic properties as angiopoietin-1 (ANG-1) and osteopontin (OPN) that are involved in myeloma induced angiogenesis in vitro. In order to identify which factors correlate with BM angiogenesis in MM patients, we have investigated in a cohort of 121 newly diagnosed MM patients (stage I–III) the expression of the angiogenic molecules VEGF, ANG-1 and OPN and their correlation with bone marrow (BM) angiogenesis and CD45 expression by MM cells. We found that 90% of CD138+ MM cells tested were positive for VEGF mRNA. On the other hand we found that 50% and 40 % of MM patients were positive for ANG-1 and OPN mRNA respectively. Using the previously published cut off for CD45 expression we found that 61 out of 121 MM patients were positive for CD45 and 60 out of 121 were negative for CD45 expression. Any correlation was not observed between VEGF expression and BM angiogenesis in MM patients (p=0.5), whereas the number of microvessels X field was higher in Ang-1 positive patients in comparison with Ang-1 negative ones (mean±SE: 6.23±0.2 vs. 2.94±0.1, median: 6.21 vs. 2.79; p=0.001,) and the microvascular density (MVD) was significantly increased (32.98±1.7 vs. 14.55±1.3, median: 34.69 vs. 13.04; p<0.01; capillaries: 26.73±1.3 vs. 10.42±0.8, median: 24.06 vs. 9.04; p<0.01, small venules: 9.56 ±0.5 vs. 4.14±0.5, median: 10.60 vs. 3.65; p<0.01). Furthermore a significantly positive correlation between Ang-1 expression and MVD was found (Pearson Chi-square: p=0.036, Cochran’s Linear Trend: p=0.01). A significantly higher MVD was also observed in the group of patients positive for OPN, (mean±SE: 29.1±0.7 vs. 17.55±0.37; p<0.01) and similarly, the number of microvessels per field was higher in OPN positive patients in comparison with OPN negative ones (mean±SE: 6.7±0.15 vs. 4.28±0.04; p=0.05). On the other hand, any significant difference was not observed between CD45 positive and CD45 negative patients for the expression of VEGF (p=0.4), ANG-1 (p=0.3) and OPN (p=0.09). Consistently we did not find any significant difference in both MVD and number of vessels X field between CD45 positive patients as compared with CD45 negative ones (p=0.5 and p=0.4, respectively). Finally, a multivariate analysis confirmed that VEGF and CD45 did not correlate with the BM angiogenesis showing that ANG-1 expression by MM cells was more tightly correlated with MVD and the number of vessels X field as compared to OPN. Our data indicate that ANG-1 and in part OPN rather than VEGF and CD45 expression by MM cells are the critical determinants correlated with the increase of BM angiogenesis that occurs in MM patients at the diagnosis.

Difference of Treatment Outcomes in AL Amyloidosis and Multiple Myeloma with / without Translocation (11;14)

Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 4224-4224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenshi Suzuki ◽  
Miho Kasuga ◽  
Kanji Miyazaki ◽  
Sohsuke Meshitsuka ◽  
Yu ABE ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Chromosome Aberration ◽  
The Other ◽  
Cardiac Response ◽  
Al Amyloidosis ◽  
Positive Group ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Organ Response

Abstract Introduction AL amyloidosis (AL) is characterized by the deposition of immunoglobulin light chains as amyloid fibrils accumulated in different organs. Translocation (11;14) (t(11;14)) is seen in about half of AL patients, but the clinical significance is still unknown. So our study has focused on the chromosome aberration of t(11;14). We report the relationship between the chromosome aberration and the organ response, the organ involvement which greatly influence prognosis of AL patients. Furthermore, we examined the prognosis and treatment response to compare t(11;14) influences of AL with t(11;14) influences of multiple myeloma (MM). Patients and Methods We analyzed in AL and symptomatic MM patients have t(11;14) using fluorescence in situ hybridization from January 2010 to December 2014 in Japanese Red Cross Medical Center. We examined the overall survival and the therapy response rate. In addition, we compared t(11;14)-positive and negative in AL and MM respectively. Besides, we investigated the involved organ parts and the organ response with melphalan and dexamethasone (MD) therapy in AL. Outcome was assessed based on remission after three months and one year. Remissions were determined according to consensus criteria in 2011 for AL and IMWG uniform criteria for MM. Survival distribution of OS was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Data between t(11;14)-positive and negative were compared with the Mann-Whitney U test or X2 test. The statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS statistics ver.23. Results Among 27 patients with AL, 9 cases were t(11;14)-positive patients (age median, 64yr; range, 37-80), and 13 out of 46 were positive in MM (age median, 64yr; range, 34-86). (excluded complication of both AL and MM cases) In AL cases, the t(11;14)-positive group tended to shorter overall survival (OS) than negative cases. On the other hand, in the patients with MM, positive group tended to superior OS to negative (AL: P=0.442(Fig.1A), MM: P=0.327(Fig.1B)). Compared with t(11;14)-negative AL group, t(11;14) positive group was tended to have much organ involved numbers of amyloid protein (67% v 34%; P=0.109) and much cardiac involvement patients (67% v 39%; P=0.171). On the other hand, there were little cardiac and renal response in both t(11;14)-positive and negative with MD therapy after 3 months (heartF17% v 0% P=0.462/renalF0% v 0%). In MM patients, ORR after 3 months were 67% and 79% in t(11;14)-positive and negative cases respectively (P=0.386). That after 1 year were 78% and 74% respectively (P=0.889). Conclusion t(11;14) is important prognostic factor and showed conflict prognosis between AL and MM. From this investigation, the importance of connecting the chromosome abnormality every disease was shown. In addition, our investigation recognized tendencies that the amyloid involvement rate to the heart was high, and the cardiac response with MD therapy were low in AL t(11;14)-positive group. As these results, we thought that t(11;14)-positive AL patients' OS were shortened. The significant difference did not appear in this examination while these tendencies were clearly accepted in little number of patient cases. Further investigation using rather number of patient samples is needed. In conclusion, the cardiac amyloid involvement is high in the AL t(11;14)-positive group, and the cardiac response by MD therapy is low. We should have doubt eyes of the amyloid involvement to the heart in AL t(11;14)-positive patients, and have the posture that can support cardiac amyloidosis immediately. In addition, breakthrough new treatments are expected urgently for AL patients. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Production of Inga vera Willd and Eugenia involucrata DC. seedlings fertigated with whey

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita De Cássia Da Silva ◽  
Lilian Vilela Andrade Pinto
Keyword(s):  
Plant Height ◽  
Water Availability ◽  
Aerial Part ◽  
Dairy Industry ◽  
The Other ◽  
Root Weight ◽  
Clean Water ◽  
Collar Diameter ◽  
Ecological Behavior

Residuary effluents from dairy industry contaminate hydric resources, so researches aiming sustainable methods to revert this situation must be stimulated. The objective of this study was to determine if whey can be used as fertigation and to define the proportion of whey that shall be fertigated for species Inga vera and Eugenia involucrata. This research consisted in two experiments, one with Inga vera and the other with Eugenia involucrata, since the species have distinct ecological behavior, being pioneer and late secondary, respectively. Both experiments were designed in completely randomized blocks and four fertigations were evaluated: T1: 100% water; T2: 25% whey and 75% water; T3: 50% whey and 50% water; and T4: 100% whey. The indicators evaluated were: plant height, collar diameter, aerial part weight, root weight, and development quality rate. Fresh whey promoted different responses in the development of Eugenia involucrata and Inga vera seedlings and the use of whey as fertigation for the species Eugenia involucrata is not recommended. Studies of irrigation using whey at the concentration of 100% is recommended for the production of Inga vera seedlings, daily or in alternate days, minimizing pressure on clean water availability.

scholarly journals Adrenarche Results from Development of a 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase-Deficient Adrenal Reticularis1

1998 ◽  
Vol 83 (10) ◽  
pp. 3695-3701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer S. Gell ◽  
Bruce R. Carr ◽  
Hironobu Sasano ◽  
Baron Atkins ◽  
Linda Margraf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adrenal Glands ◽  
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate ◽  
Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase ◽  
Immunohistochemical Localization ◽  
The Other ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Steroid Precursor

Adrenarche is the increased adrenal production of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) that occurs during the prepubertal period. To date, the exact mechanism initiating adrenarche is unknown, although many factors have been postulated. In the present study, we examined the hypothesis that alterations in intra-adrenal expression of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD) or 21-hydroxylase (CYP21) within the inner reticularis zone leads to the increased production of 19-carbon (C19) steroids. After conversion of cholesterol to pregnenolone, 17α-hydroxylase/17,20-lyase (CYP17) can metabolize pregnenolone through to DHEA. The enzyme 3βHSD competes for substrate with CYP17 and effectively removes steroid precursor from the pathway leading to DHEA. On the other hand, deficiency in CYP21 expression is known to cause excessive production of adrenal C19 steroids, suggesting that CYP21 could play a role in adrenarche. Thus, a decrease in 3βHSD or CYP21 expression would allow substrate to flow toward the synthesis of DHEA. To determine whether adrenarche results from a decreased expression of 3βHSD or CYP21 in the reticularis, immunohistochemical localization of 3βHSD and CYP21 was performed, and staining intensities compared using adrenal glands from children ages 4 months to 4 yr (n = 12), ages 5–7 yr (n = 9), ages 8–13 yr (n = 9), and adults ages 25–56 yr (n = 8). There were no differences in the zonal expression of CYP21. No difference in 3βHSD staining was observed between the glomerulosa and fasciculata from any age group. However, children age 8 yr and older show a significant decrease in 3βHSD expression in reticularis as compared with the fasciculata. No significant difference was noted for 3βHSD levels between the fasciculata and reticularis for children age 7 yr or younger. The level of 3βHSD expression in the reticularis continued to decrease in the adult adrenals examined. These findings suggest that as children mature there is a decreased level of 3βHSD in the adrenal reticularis that may contribute to the increased production of DHEA and DHEAS seen during adrenarche.

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