Inhibitory effect of central ghrelin on steroid synthesis affecting reproductive health in female mice.

Ghrelin is a 28-amino acid peptide hormone that regulates ovarian steroid hormone synthesis; however, there is limited evidence regarding the regulation of this pathway by ghrelin in mice ovary. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether central ghrelin action plays a role in murine reproductive health by inhibiting steroid synthesis. Further, we sought to examine the mechanism of central ghrelin action in ovarian steroid hormone synthesis. After the administration of intracerebroventricular ghrelin (1 nmol), we found reduced serum concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone and reduced secretion of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone. Although ghrelin reduced 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase mRNA and protein levels in the hypothalamus, it did not affect the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and cytochrome P450 17A1. In the ovary, central ghrelin regulation indirectly inhibited the mRNA and protein levels of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cytochrome P450 17A1, and 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Moreover, no changes were observed in the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase. We hypothesised that central ghrelin regulation suppressed serum oestradiol and progesterone levels by indirectly inhibiting the expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cytochrome P450 17A1, and 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in the ovary. In this regulation, the suppressed secretion of the follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinising hormone in the pituitary by ghrelin could be involved. Furthermore, hypothalamic 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase expression is reduced by ghrelin injection.

Effect of homeopathic bidirectional-traction reduction device and traction table in surgical treatment of femoral intertrochanteric fractures in the elderly / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To compare the outcomes of homeopathic bidirectional-traction reduction device and traction table in surgical treatment of femoral intertrochanteric fractures.Methods A retrospective case control study was made on 94 cases of femoral intertrochanteric fractures treated from July 2015 to December 2015.There were 26 males and 68 females,aged 60-75 years.According to the Evans classification,the fractures were type Ⅱ in 24 cases,type Ⅲ in 32 and type Ⅳ in 38.Fifty-seven cases sustained chronic diseases.According to the random number table,the subjects were assigned to receive homeopathic bidirectional-traction reduction (homeopathic reduction group,48 cases) and traction table reduction (control group,46 cases).All fractures were fixed with proximal femoral nail antirotation.Operation time,reduction time,tluoroscopy time,blood loss and rate of closed reduced cases were recorded.Fracture union and rotation of the affected femur to the tibia were detected after operation.Functional outcome was evaluated using the Harris score at the final follow-up.Results All fractures were reduced closely in homeopathic reduction group,while 15 fractures in control group were reduced via a small-incision anterior approach.Operation time,reduction time and fluoroscopy time in homeopathic reduction group were (62.9 ± 12.1) min,(6.8 ± 1.5) min and (11.3 ± 5.6) s respectively,significantly less than the corresponding data in control group (all P ＜ 0.05).One month after operation,rotation of the affected femur to the tibia was (2.8 ± 1.2) ° in homeopathic reduction group,significantly less than that in control group [(11.5 ± 4.7) °] (P ＜ 0.05).Bone union was observed in all cases.At the final follow-up,Harris hip score was (92.6 ± 7.6)points in homeopathic reduction group,significantly higher than that in control group [(87.3 ± 6.5) points] (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion For the elderly patients with intertrochanteric fractures,homeopathic bidirectional-traction device has advantages of high rate of closed reduction,shorter operation time,less radiological exposure and satisfactory function recovery of the affected hip joint.