role of arginine-phenylalanine-amide-related peptides in mammalian reproduction

Until 2000 it was believed that gonadotropin-releasing hormone [GnRH] was the sole regulator of hypophyseal gonadotropes. In 2000, the discovery of a gonado-tropin inhibitory hormone [GnlH] initiated a revolution in the field of reproductive physiology. Identification of GnlH homologues in mammals, the arginine-pheny-lalanine-amide [RFamide]-related peptides [RFRPs], indicated a similar function. Subsequently, further works conducted in various laboratories worldwide have shown that these neuropeptides inhibit the hypothalamic-hypophyseal axis. This review discusses the role of RFRPs in mammalian reproductive processes

Hypothalamic expression of KiSS1 and RFamide-related peptide-3 mRNAs during the estrous cycle of rats

Kisspeptin and RFamide-related peptide-3 [RFRP-3] are known to affect GnRH/luteinizing hormone [LH] in several species, including the rat. It has been hypothesized that GnRH/LH changes during the rat estrous cycle may result from changes in the expression of KiSS1 and RFRP-3 genes. Therefore, the present study investigates KiSS1 and RFRP-3 gene expression at the transcriptional level in the rat hypothalamus during the estrous cycle. In the present experimental study, 36 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats [3-4 months old] were used to study the expression of KiSS1 and RFRP-3 mRNA in the hypothalamus during the estrous cycle. Four rats were ovariectomized, whereas the remainder were allotted to four different phases of the estrous cycle [n=8 per estrus phase]. Rats were decapitated, and the hypothalami were immediately dissected and frozen in liquid nitrogen. Expressions of KiSS1 and RFRP-3 mRNAs were analyzed by real-time PCR. The expression of KiSS1 mRNA during estrus was lower than other phases of the cycle [p<0.01]. Expression of KiSS1 mRNA during the metestrus phase was lower than the proestrus phase [p<0.01]. The expression of RFRP-3 mRNA during proestrus was lower than the diestrus phase [p<0.01]. Results of the present study showed the role of coordinated expression of KiSS1 and RFRP-3 mRNA in the hypothalamus in the control of the rat estrous cycle

Assessment of balance in osteoporotic postmenopausal women: effect of spinal proprioceptive extension program

To assess the balance in osteoporotic patients with kyphosis and the effect of intervention with a spinal proprioceptive extension exercise on the risk of fall in these patients. This study included 20 postmenopausal osteoporotic women with kyphosis and ten controls. Patients had to be physically active, and older than 60 years. Clinical assessment was performed by physical activity score fall efficacy scale and pain scale. Balance assessment was done by computerized dynamic posturography [CDP]. Each patient underwent a program of back extension exercise using one kg of weight suspended between T10 to L4 through fitted harness. Patients were instructed to use this harness two hours twice daily for 4 weeks. Then they were reassessed clinically and by CDP. There was a significantly decreased balance score in osteoporotic kyphotic women compared to controls. There was a significant inverse correlation between balance score and the fall efficacy scale [r=-0.53] and positive correlation between balance score and the physical activity score [r=0.55]. In clinical reassessment, patients showed a significant increase in the physical activity score [5.55 +/- 0.75] compared to pre-intervention values [4.4 +/- 0.68]. Also they had a significant decrease in the fall efficacy scale and pain scale compared to their baseline data. In balance reassessment, patients showed a significant increase in the balance score [75.5 +/- 8.50] compared to their baseline data [63.7 +/- 9.72] [p<0.001]] Osteoporotic postmenopausal women with kyphosis had significantly greater balance abnormalities which plays an important role in increasing their risk of falls. This study suggests that proprioceptive back extension exercise could reduce the risk of fall and improve the pain and physical activity in these patients

Anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in systemic sclerosis

To measure the serum levels of anti CCP antibodies in patients with systemic sclerosis and to correlate these levels with joint involvement extent of skin sclerosis and pulmonary involvement. 22 SSc patients were grouped into [group II] included 10 patients had limited cutaneous SSc and [group III] included 12 patients had diffuse SSc in addition to 10 healthy subjects as a control group [group I]. All patients and controls were subjected to full history taking, thorough clinical examination, routine blood investigations, chest and hand-x-ray, pulmonary function tests, capillary microscope. Measurement of anti-CCP antibodies using ELISA technique. Anti-CCP antibodies serum level was significantly higher in SSc patients than the control [p<0.05]. Also anti-CCP antibodies serum level was significantly higher in patients with arthritis and pulmonary affection than those without arthritis or pulmonary affection. There was a significant association between anti-CCP antibodies positivity and capillaroscopic abnormalities. Our results suggest that anti-CCP antibodies might be linked to disease severity

Plasma osteopontin concentration in lupus nephritis

To measure plasma concentration of osteopontin and to correlate these levels with clinical, laboratory, disease activity and histopathological parameters in SLE patients. This study was performed on 20 SLE patients and 10 normal control subjects. Plasma osteopontin concentrations were measured by ELISA technique for both patients and control groups. All patients underwent renal biopsies within 3 months of onset of proteinuria or hematuria. There was a highly significant difference between patients and control groups as regards plasma osteopontin concentration [p<0.001]. There was a significant positive correlation between osteopontin and SLEDAI [p<0.001] and activity index of renal biopsies [p<0.05]. Also there was a highly significant differences as regard osteopontin plasma concentration between patients with and without renal affection [p<0.001]. Osteopontin has been shown at least partly to account for SLE nephritis probably through predominance of Th[1]-type response in both peripheral and renal tissue. Further investigation of this mechanism in lupus nephritis may allow the design of new therapeutic strategies of lupus nephritis such as manipulation of Th[1]/Th[2] and down-regulation of Th[1]-response

Mechanism of the dysfunction of the bull spermatozoa treated with cadmium / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd) are widely distributed in the environment as industrial pollutants and characterized by their ability to affect the male reproductive system. The objective of the present study was to test the effect of Cd in the concentration range from 10 to 1000 micromol/L, in vitro, on the membrane and DNA integrity, motility, and ability of sperm to undergo acrosomal exocytosis in Holstein bull spermatozoa.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Bull semen samples were processed for sperm analyses using semen-diluting fluid, PBS. Membrane integrity of the processed bull sperm was evaluated by lipoperoxidation (LPO) test. Gelatin digestion test was performed to determine the ability of bull spermatozoa to undergo acrosomal exocytosis. Single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay was performed to detect the DNA strand breaks and alkali labile damages in the individual cell.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We found a significant increase in the lipoperoxidation (LPO) indicating the deleterious effect of Cd on the sperm membrane integrity. This effect was prominent at the concentration of 1000 micromol/L Cd. There was a negative correlation between LPO rate and the percentage of motile spermatozoa (r = -0.94, P < 0.001). The gelatin digestion test indicated that Cd caused a decline in the percentage of acrosomal exocytosis of bull spermatozoa. A reverse correlation was also found between LPO rate and the percentage of halos (r = -0.97, P < 0.001). Data obtained from the comet assay revealed that Cd was capable of inducing DNA breaks in the sperm nuclei. Almost 93% of DNA damages were double-stranded breaks. The correlation between LPO rate and the percentage of DNA breaks was found to be 0.95 (P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Collectively, Cd induced membrane impairments, lowered motility, DNA breaks and a decreased rate in the acrosome reaction of bull spermatozoa, leading to sperm dysfunction. Entering Cd in the male gonads and seminal plasma may exert deleterious effects on the animal sperm cells.</p>