RESUMO
Pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) expression has been described in many organs as showing neurotrophic, anti-angiogenic, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and pro-cell survival properties. However, references to its activity in the male reproductive system are scarce. We aimed to characterize the expression of PEDF in the male reproductive tract of Wistar rats by using RT-PCR, western blot and immunostaining and also evaluate the effect of flutamide in PEDF expression. We found that PEDF is expressed in the epididymis, prostate and seminal vesicles in Wistar rats, but notably not in the testes. Under the effect of flutamide PEDF expression decreased, recovering by suppressing the antiandrogen. The epididymis is an essential organ in sperm maturation-storages. The role of PEDF in this physiological process has not been fully elucidated yet, but considering that in other systems PEDF has anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidants and pro-cell survival properties, its expression along the epididymis could play a role in the protection of spermatozoa while they are stored.
Assuntos
Epididimo/metabolismo , Proteínas do Olho/metabolismo , Flutamida/farmacologia , Fatores de Crescimento Neural/metabolismo , Serpinas/metabolismo , Testículo/metabolismo , Animais , Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Apoptose , Sobrevivência Celular , Epididimo/efeitos dos fármacos , Masculino , Próstata/metabolismo , Ratos , Ratos Wistar , Glândulas Seminais/metabolismo , Testículo/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Here, we prove that dehydroleucodine, a sesquiterpene lactone, at low concentrations (25-100 microM) slowed down the Allium cepa L root growth by 22-70 respectively neither affecting cell viability nor cell size. Removal of the drug after 24 h incubation restored the normal growth rate of the roots. Higher concentrations (200 microM) of dehydroleucodine were deleterious for the roots. As cell size did not change, it is most likely that dehydroleucodine affected some event of cell division cycle making it longer. Thus, dehydroleucodine could be a useful tool to slow down cell proliferation.
Assuntos
Lactonas , Cebolas , Raízes de Plantas/efeitos dos fármacos , Sesquiterpenos , Tamanho Celular , Cebolas , Raízes de Plantas/citologia , Raízes de Plantas/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
Here, we prove that dehydroleucodine, a sesquiterpene lactone, at low concentrations (25-100 microM) slowed down the Allium cepa L root growth by 22-70 respectively neither affecting cell viability nor cell size. Removal of the drug after 24 h incubation restored the normal growth rate of the roots. Higher concentrations (200 microM) of dehydroleucodine were deleterious for the roots. As cell size did not change, it is most likely that dehydroleucodine affected some event of cell division cycle making it longer. Thus, dehydroleucodine could be a useful tool to slow down cell proliferation.(AU)
