Disruptions in the reproductive system of female rats after prenatal lipopolysaccharide-induced immunological stress: role of sex steroids.

Stress signals during fetal or early postnatal periods may disorganize reproductive axis development at different levels. This study was aimed to test the hypothesis that prenatal immunological stress induced by bacterial endotoxin, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), has impact on structure and function of the reproductive system in female offspring. Adult female Wistar rats were divided into two groups, a control group (n = 5) and a LPS group (n = 12). Rats were injected with LPS 50 µg/kg body or 0.9% saline intraperitoneally on the 12th day of pregnancy. After birth the female pups (n = 20 in each group) were divided into four groups: (group 1) 0.9% saline prenatally, sesame oil (vehicle) postnatally; (group 2) LPS prenatally, sesame oil postnatally; (group 3) LPS prenatally, fulvestrant postnatally; (group 4) LPS prenatally, flutamide postnatally. Pups were injected subcutaneously into the neck with fulvestrant (estrogen receptor antagonist), 1.5 mg/kg in sesame oil, from postnatal day (PND) 5 to PND14; or flutamide (androgen receptor antagonist), 20 mg/kg in sesame oil, from PND14 to PND30. Rats of the control group were injected with sesame oil during the same time period. Parameters were evaluated by ELISA (serum estradiol and testosterone) and ovarian histology. The main findings were: (1) prenatal stress during the critical period resulted in delayed vaginal opening, decreased body weight and serum concentrations of sex steroids, and significant disorders in ovarian development; (2) postnatal estradiol and testosterone antagonist treatments decreased follicular atresia through increasing the number of healthy follicles and restored endogenous steroid production. Lay summaryImmunological stress, caused by simulating infection through exposure to a bacterial toxin (LPS), during a critical period of fetal development in laboratory rats results in delayed reproductive maturity, decreased body weight and decreased secretion of sex steroids in female offspring, and abnormalities in the ovaries like those in polycystic ovarian syndrome. These prenatally toxin-induced sexual disorders in females could be corrected by estradiol/testosterone antagonists during the postnatal period.

[The experimental evaluation of the protective effect of the extract of the cyclodextrin-containing phytotherapeutic composition on the development of osteoporosis].

OBJECTIVE: The relevance of the problem considered in the present communication arises to-day from the widespread prevalence of osteoporosis (OP), the rather low effectiveness of the methods currently available for the treatment of this condition, and iatrogenic effects of its medication therapy. The great diversity of phytotherapeutic modalities of traditional medicine are is only poorly supported by the results of the scientific studies results; moreover, most of them are coming from the foreign literature publications. AIM:  The objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of the phytotherapeutic preparation (Phytocost) having cyclodextrin in its composition on the restoration of the cartilaginous and bony tissues based on the experimental research with the use of the OP experimental model. MATERIAL AND METHODS:  The experimental studies were performed on 5 month-old Balb/c mice used as the prednisolone-induced osteoporosis model. The animals were divided into four study groups according to the daily doses administered to them: 0.005; 0.05; 0.5 and 5.0 mg/mouse during 30 days and 3 control groups: intact, 14 and 30 days after prednisolone administration, naïve mice. RESULTS:  The study has demonstrated the dose-dependent protective effect of cyclodextrin-containing Phytocost. The most pronounced effect in the form of reduction of osteoblast number and the increase in the number of osteocytes was obtained at a Phytocost dose of 0.5 mg/mouse. No undesirable adverse reactions were documented during the study. CONCLUSION:  The domestically produced Phytocost composition differs from its foreign analogues in that it contains a significantly greater number of constituent components because the ultimate goal of the study was to create a medication acting on all currently known mechanisms of OP pathogenesis, whereas our Chinese colleagues proceed from the ancient knowledge gained by traditional medicine that it is sometimes difficult to understand and explain in the light of the modern concepts. All the plants used as raw materials for Phytocost production grow at the territory of the Russian Federation which provides the possibilities for the efficient import substitution of the components necessary for the manufacture of the preparation in question.

[New phytotherapeutic composition for restoring bone and cartilage. Experimental study].

Presents a new import-substituting the composition of the powder mixture 60 medicinal plants and dead bees. In prednisolonbuy models of osteoporosis have shown dose-dependent regenerative effects bone and cartilage of the hip joints of mice. Unwanted side effects when taking composition was observed. It is assumed the possibility of effective application of the composition as a complementary treatment for osteoporosis.