ABSTRACT
The corpus luteum (CL) is under control of gonadotrophic hormones and produces progesterone, which is necessary for endometrial receptivity. Recent studies have shown that progesterone and its metabolites are involved in cell proliferation and apoptosis of cancer cells. Here weanalyzed the role of progesterone and its meta-bolites on luteinized granulosa cells (LGC) by FACS analysis and quantitative Real-Time PCR. We detected the mRNA of the progesterone metabolizing genes SRD5A1, AKR1C1, and AKR1C2 in LGC. The stimulation of LGC with progesterone or progesterone metabolites did not show any effect on the mRNA expression of these genes. However, a downregulation of Fas expression was found to be accomplished by progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin. Our findings do not support the concept of an effect of progesterone metabolites on LGCs. However, it suggests an antiapoptotic effect of hCG and progesterone during corpus luteum development by downregulation of Fas.
Subject(s)
Granulosa Cells/drug effects , Progesterone/pharmacology , 20-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases/genetics , 3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase/genetics , Apoptosis/drug effects , Cells, Cultured , Chorionic Gonadotropin/pharmacology , Down-Regulation , Female , Gene Expression/drug effects , Granulosa Cells/chemistry , Humans , Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases/genetics , Luteinization , Membrane Proteins/genetics , Progesterone/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/analysis , Receptors, Progesterone/genetics , fas Receptor/geneticsABSTRACT
The aim of the current study was to estimate the prevalence of all primary headaches and cranial neuralgias in the general community. As part of the population-based Bruneck Study, 574 men and women aged 55-94 years underwent extensive neurological and laboratory examinations involving a standardized headache interview. In the Bruneck Study population the lifetime prevalence of all primary headaches combined and of cranial neuralgias was 51.7 and 1.6%, respectively. Tension-type headache (40.9%) and migraine (19.3%) emerged as the most common types of headache. In men and women aged 55-94 years the 1-year prevalence of primary headaches was high at 40.5%. In this age range headaches caused significant impairment of health-related quality of life. The Bruneck Study has confirmed the high lifetime prevalence of primary headaches and cranial neuralgias in the general population and provided first valid prevalence data for all primary headaches based on International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edition criteria.
Subject(s)
Cranial Nerves , Headache Disorders, Primary/epidemiology , Neuralgia/epidemiology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Italy/epidemiology , Logistic Models , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
Lithium dosage was examined in 3 age groups (less than or equal to 45 years, 46-64 years, greater than or equal to 65 years) of 78 inpatients, matched on relevant variables. Although mean steady-state lithium plasma levels showed no essential differences, mean daily lithium doses were significantly lower in the elderly. The ratio of weight-related lithium dose to plasma level showed a 36% decline with age (0.58, 0.46 and 0.37 1/kg, P less than 0.0001, analysis of variance). Comparing different decades this ratio, indicating the dose required for a certain plasma level, displayed a clear-cut decrease at 50 years. This may be caused by age-related changes in apparent volume of distribution and/or in elimination half-life of lithium, the latter being the consequence of age-related decrease of glomerular filtration rate.
Subject(s)
Bipolar Disorder/drug therapy , Lithium/therapeutic use , Psychotic Disorders/drug therapy , Age Factors , Aged , Bipolar Disorder/blood , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Female , Humans , Lithium/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Psychotic Disorders/bloodABSTRACT
We examined the nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of 10 patients under long-term lithium therapy and 10 patients after a 3-month lithium therapy. In accordance with the literature concerning patients and normals under experimental treatment with lithium, we also found reduced NCV values. There were no significant changes in NCV during the first 3 months of lithium treatment. This could be due to the relative low lithium levels as well as to symptoms of manic-depressive Illness and the nerve examined.
Subject(s)
Lithium/pharmacology , Motor Neurons/drug effects , Neural Conduction/drug effects , Bipolar Disorder/physiopathology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Cord blood is regarded as a powerful source for adult stem cells. Cord blood transplants have been used successfully to treat children and adults in autologous and allogeneic settings. Nevertheless, in many cases, the clinically relevant cell number (CD34+ cells and total leukocytes) is a limiting factor. To enable standardized cell banking and future in vitro expansion of adult stem/progenitor cells, elimination of serum, which inevitably differs from lot to lot and donor to donor, is highly desirable. Here, we demonstrate the feasibility of a xeno-free, chemically defined cryopreservation procedure for cord blood-derived cells over a period of 1 year. Cell recoveries with respect to retrieval of clinically relevant CD34+ cells, colony-forming units, and in vitro cultures of erythroid progenitor cells under standardized conditions were analyzed after 1 week or 1 year of cryopreservation and found to be very high and similar to the samples before freezing. The established xeno-free procedure is an important step toward using the full potential of adult stem cells from cord blood, enabling the elimination of serum-derived factors negatively influencing proliferation, differentiation, and survival of hematopoietic stem cells.