Maternal aerobic running during mid or late gestation improves the quality of oogenesis and folliculogenesis in the ovary of neonatal rats: An experimental study

Background: Regular maternal exercise in pregnancy enhances the physiological, metabolic, and psychological health of mother and fetus. Objective: To determine the effect of maternal aerobic running during mid or late gestation on plasma levels of estrogen and progesterone and the histological alterations in the ovary of neonatal rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one female Wistar rats were randomly divided into experimental groups to exercises during the 2nd or 3rd wk of pregnancy (n = 14) and a control group (n = 7). After birth, the neonate’s blood was obtained and the estrogen and progesterone levels were evaluated. The ovaries were then removed and used for histological investigations and apoptic assessment. Results: Higher concentrations of estrogen and progesterone were found in the neonates of the experimental groups (p = 0.001) compared to the control group. The experimental groups had a large ovarian diameter (2nd wk: p = 0.044; 3rd wk: p = 0.005) and angiogenesis (2nd wk: p = 0.003; 3rd wk: p = 0.001). In addition, significant enhancements were seen in the the experimental groups in terms of the number (2nd wk: p = 0.017; p = 0.035) and diameter (2nd wk: p = 0.046; 3rd wk: p = 0.004) of primordial follicles, as well as in the diameter of primary oocytes (2nd wk: p = 0.073; 3rd wk: p = 0.019) compared to the control group. Moreover, rats that exercised had a lower number of apoptotic primordial follicles than the control group (2nd wk: p = 0.001; 3rd wk: p = 0.001). Conclusion: It was shown that maternal aerobic running can lead to increased plasma levels of estrogen and progesterone, also improved histological characteristics of the ovary in neonatal rats. Key words: Apoptosis, Exercise, Neonatal, Oogenesis, Ovary, Rat.

Apoptosis and genes involved in oral cancer - a comprehensive review

Oral cancers needs relentless research due to high mortality and morbidity associated with it. Despite of the comparable ease in accessibility to these sites, more than 2/3rd cases are diagnosed in advanced stages. Molecular/genetic studies augment clinical assessment, classification and prediction of malignant potential of oral lesions, thereby reducing its incidence and increasing the scope for early diagnosis and treatment of oral cancers. Herein we aim to review the role of apoptosis and genes associated with it in oral cancer development in order to aid in early diagnosis, prediction of malignant potential and evaluation of possible treatment targets in oral cancer. An internet-based search was done with key words apoptosis, genes, mutations, targets and analysis to extract 72 articles after considering inclusion and exclusion criteria. The knowledge of genetics and genomics of oral cancer is of utmost need in order to stop the rising prevalence of oral cancer. Translational approach and interventions at the early stage of oral cancer, targeted destruction of cancerous cells by silencing or promoting involved genes should be the ideal intervention.

Influence of normal vaginal microbiota on papillomavirua infection

Objective. To study the influence of normal vaginal microbiota on papillomavirus (HPV) infection. Patients and methods. We examined 160 women with HPV infection. We assessed the state of normal flora, the presence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and the HPV elimination rate. The correlation of living, apoptotic and necrotic epithelial cells depending on the levels of lactobacilli in native and stress-influenced specimens was studied in 140 HPV-positive and 20 HPV-negative patients. Results. We have found a stronger relation between HPV viral load and deficiency of lactobacilli (r = 0.498; р = 0.021) than between the former and the presence of STIs (r = 0.121; р = 0.072). High baseline levels of vaginal lactobacilli increase the likelihood of HPV elimination. Normal levels of lactobacilli enhance the survival of noninfected epithelial cells and reduce the levels of infected ones, which ensures a predominantly apoptotic form of cell death. HPV enhances the survival of infected cells and shifts the cell death structure toward necrosis. Conclusion. Lactobacilli counteract the influence of HPV on the vital conditions of vaginal epithelial cells. This accounts for better outcomes of HPV infection in patients with normal levels of flora. Key words: apoptosis, human papillomavirus, vagina, lactobacilli, cervix, epithelial cells