FSH modulatory effect on human granulosa cells: a gene-protein candidate for gonadotrophin surge-attenuating factor.

Previous evidence indicates a homology of gonadotrophin surge-attenuating factor (GnSAF) to the carboxyl terminal of human serum albumin (HSA) and the ability of human granulosa cells to produce mRNA transcripts corresponding to this fragment, but the underlying mechanism is still unknown. This study investigated the role of FSH in vitro in the expression of the carboxyl terminal of HSA by human luteinized granulosa cells. Cells were cultured on poly-l-lysine-coated microscope slides in the absence or presence of 10 ng/ml FSH, followed by in-situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry. In the presence of FSH, mRNA transcripts corresponding to the carboxyl terminal of the HSA gene and corresponding protein could be detected in comparable intensity to that seen by hepatic HepG2 cells (positive control). Significantly lower expression was detected in granulosa cells cultured without FSH addition (P<0.01), but no expression was detected in HeLa cells. These results demonstrate for the first time that FSH stimulates the expression of the carboxyl terminal fragment of the HSA gene and corresponding protein in human luteinized granulosa cells. Therefore, the carboxyl terminal of HSA has a functional role in the ovary and this further supports the notion that this HSA fragment is a GnSAF-bioactive entity.

Evaluation of a topical steroid antibiotic combination (halcinonide-neomycin-amphotericin) in the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis and inflammatory dermatoses.

Halcinonide-neomycin-amphotericin (HNA) cream was evaluated in the treatment of cutaneous candidiasis and inflammatory dermatoses. The anti-candidal properties of HNA were assessed in a parallel comparison with iodochlorhydroxyquin-hydrocortisone (I-HC) as the control drug. The overall therapeutic response with HNA was excellent in 38 (95%) of 40 patients as compared to 17 (43%) of 40 treated with I-HC. In 50 patients treated for psoriasis, eczematous dermatitis, or neurodermatitis, HNA was evaluated in a paired comparison with hydrocortisone (HC). The overall therapeutic response with HNA was excellent in 36 (72%) patients as compared to 18 (36%) with HC. There were no adverse reactions with HNA or the control drugs.

Double blind trial in the treatment of herpes simplex and herpes zoster with adenine arabinoside and idoxuridine.

In a double blind trial adenine arabinoside (Vidarabine) and Idoxuridine (IDU) were tested in herpes simplex and herpes zoster infections. Adenine arabinoside covered 19 patients with HSV and 6 with HZ while IDU 19 with HSV and 6 with HZ. From the statistical analysis it was found that Vidarabine acts shorter than IDU in HSV P less than 0.01, while in HZ no significant difference P less than 0.5 was found, possibly due to the small number of patients tested.