Ghrelin plasma levels, gastric ghrelin cell density and bone mineral density in women with rheumatoid arthritis

Generalized bone loss can be considered an extra-articular manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that may lead to the occurrence of fractures, resulting in decreased quality of life and increased healthcare costs. The peptide ghrelin has demonstrated to positively affect osteoblasts in vitro and has anti-inflammatory actions, but the studies that correlate ghrelin plasma levels and RA have contradictory results. We aimed to evaluate the correlation between total ghrelin plasma levels, density of ghrelin-immunoreactive cells in the gastric mucosa, and bone mineral density (BMD) in twenty adult women with established RA with 6 months or more of symptoms (mean age of 52.70±11.40 years). Patients with RA presented higher ghrelin-immunoreactive cells density in gastric mucosa (P=0.008) compared with healthy females. There was a positive relationship between femoral neck BMD and gastric ghrelin cell density (P=0.007). However, these same patients presented a negative correlation between plasma ghrelin levels and total femoral BMD (P=0.03). The present results indicate that ghrelin may be involved in bone metabolism of patients with RA. However, the higher density of ghrelin-producing cells in the gastric mucosa of these patients does not seem to induce a corresponding elevation in the plasma levels of this peptide.

The influence of selected pathological states on the somatostatin-like immunoreactive (SOM-LI) endocrine cells in the mucosal layer of the porcine descending colon

This study reports on changes in the number of somatostatin-like immunoreactive (SOM-LI) endocrine cells in the porcine descending colon, caused by chemically driven inflammation, axotomy and proliferative enteropathy (PE). The distribution pattern of SOM-LI endocrine cells has been studied using the routine single-labelling immunofluorescence technique. Semi-quantitative evaluation of the number of the SOM-immunostained endocrine cells within the mucosal layer of the porcine descending colon has been based on counting of all endocrine cells immunoreactive to SOM per unit area (0,1 mm²). Under physiological conditions the number of SOM-LI endocrine cells has been shown to constitute 3,30±0,22. All applied pathological processes resulted in changes in the SOM-like immunoreactivity, which varied in particular processes studied. The number of SOM-LI endocrine cells increased to 6,28±0,31 and 4,43±0,35 during chemically driven inflammation and proliferative enteropathy, respectively, and decreased to 1,17%±0,16 after axotomy. The obtained results suggest that SOM-LI endocrine cells may participate in various pathological states within porcine descending colon and their functions probably depend on the type of pathological factor.(AU)

Ghrelin- and preproghrelin-immunoreactive cells in atrophic body gastritis / Células imunorreativas a grelina e preprogrelina na gastrite atrófica do corpo

INTRODUCTION: Ghrelin is a 28 amino acid peptide mainly secreted by endocrine cells of the gastric mucosa, which is believed to have a modulating effect on cell growth. OBJECTIVE: To assess the presence of ghrelin and its precursor preproghrelin molecule in endocrine hyperplasias associated with atrophic body gastritis (ABG). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Endoscopic biopsies from 54 patients with ABG were processed for immunohistochemistry and specific antibodies against ghrelin, preproghrelin and chromogranin were applied. We assessed the immunoreactive cells in endocrine hyperplasia from the atrophic mucosa and intestinal and pseudo-antral metaplasia areas. RESULTS: There was ghrelin expression in a variable number of hyperplastic endocrine cells from all patients studied. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of hyperplastic nodules with more than 50 percent immunostained cells for chromogranin and ghrelin and for chromogranin and preproghrelin. The mean number of hyperplastic nodules identified by chromogranin was 8.6 per patient. Most nodules were immunoreactive to ghrelin and preproghrelin. The presence of ghrelin and preproghrelin expression was uncommon in glands showing intestinal metaplasia: four (9.5 percent) and nine (21.4 percent) cases, respectively. In contrast, they were relatively frequent in pseudo-antral metaplasia areas: 37 (72.5 percent) and 26 (50.9 percent) cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: Ghrelin- and preproghrelin-immunoreactive cells are frequently present in endocrine hyperplasias associated with ABG. However, further studies are required to determine to what extent these hormones act as modulators of hyperplastic nodular growth and evolution.

INTRODUÇÃO: Grelina é um peptídeo de 28 aminoácidos secretado principalmente pelas células endócrinas da mucosa gástrica, acreditando-se que apresente ação moduladora relacionada com o crescimento celular. OBJETIVO: Estudar a presença de grelina e da molécula precursora preprogrelina na hiperplasia endócrina associada à gastrite atrófica do corpo (GAC). MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Biópsias endoscópicas de 54 pacientes com GAC foram processadas para imuno-histoquímica, e anticorpos específicos contra grelina, preprogrelina e cromogranina foram utilizados. As células imunorreativas foram examinadas na hiperplasia endócrina presente na mucosa atrófica e nas áreas de metaplasia intestinal e pseudoantral. RESULTADOS: Ocorreu expressão de grelina em número variável de células endócrinas hiperplásicas em todos os pacientes estudados. Diferença estatisticamente significativa foi encontrada entre a frequência de nódulos hiperplásicos com mais de 50 por cento de células imunomarcadas por cromogranina e grelina ou por cromogranina e preprogrelina. O número médio de nódulos hiperplásicos por paciente demonstrado pela cromogranina foi de 8,6. A maioria desses nódulos apresentou células imunorreativas para grelina e preprogrelina, respectivamente, 5,1 e 5,6, em média. A presença da expressão imuno-histoquímica de grelina e preprogrelina foi incomum em glândulas exibindo metaplasia intestinal, respectivamente, em quatro (9,5 por cento) e nove (21,4 por cento) casos e foram frequentes nas áreas de metaplasia pseudoantral em, respectivamente, 37 (72,5 por cento) e 26 (50,9 por cento) casos. CONCLUSÃO: Células imunorreativas a grelina e preprogrelina estão presentes na hiperplasia endócrina associada à GAC. Entretanto, mais estudos são necessários para saber até que ponto esses hormônios estão atuando como moduladores do crescimento e a evolução desses nódulos hiperplásicos.

Quantification of argyrophillic, argentaffin and insulin immunoreactive cells in the small intestine in the opossum Didelphis aurita (Wied-Neuwied, 1826) / Quantificação das células argirófilas, argentafins e imunorreativas à insulina nos diferentes segmentos do intestino delgado do gambá Didelphis aurita (Wied-Neuwied, 1826)

The objective of this study was to quantify argyrophillic, argentaffin and insulin immunoreactive endocrine cells in the different segments of the small intestine of Didelphis aurita and measure probable differences in the number of these cells between adult and post-pubertal animals. Biological material consisted of ten male and female opossums specimen, divided in two groups according to weigh. The utilized staining techniques were Grimelius, modified Masson-Fontana and direct immunoperoxidase. Results indicated a predominance of argyrophillic cells in the small intestine of opossums from class 1 and 2, with an average of 52.58 and 56.15 cells mm-2, respectively; of which, the average number of total endocrine cells, argyrophillic and argentaffin cells decreased distally in the intestinal segments of opossums from classes 1 and 2. No significant difference was observed for the insulin immunoreactive cells between the intestinal segments of animals from class 2. A greater number of insulin immunoreactive cells was encountered in the jejunum and ileum of animals from class 2 when compared to the same segment in animals from class 1.

Os objetivos deste trabalho foram quantificar as células endócrinas argirófilas, argentafins e imunorreativas à insulina nos diferentes segmentos do intestino delgado de gambás Didelphis aurita e mensurar prováveis diferenças no número destas células entre animais adultos e pós-púberes. Dez exemplares de gambás D. aurita machos e fêmeas foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com o peso. As técnicas de coloração utilizadas foram Grimelius, Masson-Fontana modificado e Imunoperoxidase direta. Os resultados indicaram um predomínio das células argirófilas no intestino delgado de gambás da classe 1 e 2, com uma média de 52,58 e 56,15 células mm-2, respectivamente. O número médio de células endócrinas totais, células argirófilas e argentafins decresceu distalmente nos segmentos intestinais dos gambás das classes 1 e 2. Nenhuma diferença significativa foi observada para as células imunorreativas à insulina entre os segmentos intestinais dos animais da classe 2. Foi encontrado maior número de células imunorreativas à insulina no jejuno e íleo de animais da classe 2 quando comparado ao mesmo segmento em animais da classe 1.

The esophagus of the crocodilian Caiman latirostris (Reptilia, Crocodylia ): histologia, histochemical, and immunohistochemical study

The purpose of this study was to analyze the esophageal morphology of Caiman latirostris using histochemicaland immunohistochemical techniques. The mucosae layer is composed of a pseudostratified columnarepithelium with goblet cells that occasionally form intra-epithelial glands. The goblet cells showed differentaffinity for the histochemical techniques. The lamina propria is composed of loose connective tissue with bloodvessels. The smooth muscle fibers that compose the muscularis mucosa are thick and form a clear demarcationbetween the mucosa layer and adjacent submucosa. There are no glands in the esophageal submucosa. Themuscle layer is composed a circular internal layer and a longitudinal external one. The adventitia layer iscomposed of loose connective tissue and blood vessels. The serotonin immunoreactive (IR) cells were notpreferentially distributed in any region of the epithelium, ranging from the base of the intra-epithelial gland tothe connection to the lumen. Somatostatina, glucagon and CCK IR cells were not detected.

Efecto de esteroides sexuales sobre la función endocrina adipocitaria e insulinosensibilidad periférica / Effect of sexual steroids over the adipocyte and outlying insulin sensitivity

Es conocido que las hormonas esteroideas sexuales modulan la composición corporal y otras funciones endocrinas. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue estudiar el impacto de la administración de esteroides sexuales sobre la insulinosensibilidad periférica y la función secretora adipocitaria. Grupos de ratas hembra recibieron vehículo (C) o valerato de E2 o propionato de T. Se monitoreó el peso corporal y la ingesta de alimento hasta el día experimental, que fueron sacrificados en condición basal o sometidos a un test de sobrecarga con glucosa. Se evaluaron las concentraciones de leptina, E2, T, glucosa, triglicéridos e insulina (INS). Se ponderó el tejido adiposo parametrial y se aislaron los adipocitos e incubaron con o sin INS. E2 indujo una temprana (p < 0,05) hipofagia, contrariamente, T indujo una moderada (p < 0,05) hiperfagia. Los animales E2 resultaron con menor peso y masa adiposa parametrial que los C (p < 0,05). Los niveles plasmáticos no se modificaron en los animales E2 ni T, salvo el desarrollo de hiperleptinemia en el grupo E2 (p < 0,05). El test de tolerancia a la glucosa mostró (p < 0,05) aumento y disminución en la insulinosensibildad en los animales E2 y T, respectivamente. Finalmente, los adipocitos aislados de animales E2 como los T desarrollaron una disminuida (p < 0,05 vs. C) respuesta a INS. Nuestro estudio pone en evidencia los efectos de E2 y T sobre la sensibilidad a insulina y la función adipocitaria.

Sex hormones are known to modulate body composition and endocrine functions. The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of sexual steroids administration on the outlying insulin-sensibility and adipocyte secretory function. Groups of female rats received either vehicle (C), E2 valerate, or T propionate. Daily food intake and body weight were recorded until sacrifice under basal conditions or after high glucose load test. Plasma concentrations of leptin, E2, T, glucose, triglycerides, and insulin (INS) were evaluated. The parametrial adipose tissue was pondered and adipocytes were isolated and then incubated with or without INS. E2 induced early hypophagia (p< 0,05); contrarily, T induced moderate hyperphagia (p<0,05). Weight and fatty parametrial mass values were lower for E2- than C-treated animals (p<0,05). Plasma levels remained unmodified either for E2 or T groups, though E2 animals developed hyperleptinemia (p<0.05). The high glucose load test showed increased and decreased insulin-sensitivity (p<0.05) in E2 and T groups, respectively. Finally, E2 and T isolated adipocytes were less sensitive to insulin-induced leptin secretion than C cells (p<0.05 vs. C). Our study reveals that E2 and T hormones affect sensibility to insulin as well as adipocyte functions.