Cytokine profile in cases with premature elevation of progesterone serum concentrations during ovarian stimulation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), leptin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6, in cycles with a premature rise of serum progesterone. 25 intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles with (Group 1) and 25 ICSI cycles without a premature progesterone elevation (Group 2) were included. The cut-off value of serum progesterone on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration was 0.9 ng/ml. The indication for ICSI was male factor infertility exclusively. On the day of hCG injection, serum IL-6, VEGF and bFGF were significantly higher in Group 1 (7.7+/-24.5 pg/ml, 290.2+/-161.4 pg/ml and 15.7+/-8.2 ng/ml respectively) than in Group 2 (1.7+/-0.7 pg/ml, 175.2+/-92.1 pg/ml, and 9+/-1.6 ng/ml respectively). On the day of follicular puncture, serum cytokine concentrations were similar in the two groups. IL-6 intrafollicular concentrations were higher in Group 1 (14.7+/-20.7 pg/ml) than in Group 2 (9+/-9.3 pg/ml, p=0.031). There were no differences regarding the ICSI outcome. Patients with serum progesterone above 0.9 ng/ml, have elevated serum concentrations of IL-6, VEGF, and bFGF, as well as elevated intrafollicular concentrations of IL-6. The outcome of ICSI cycles is not associated with premature elevation of progesterone when the cut-off value is set at 0.9 ng/ml.

Modulatory role of adenosine and its receptors in epilepsy: possible therapeutic approaches.

Adenosine is considered to be the brain's endogenous anticonvulsant as many studies have showed and it is responsible for seizure arrest and postictal refractoriness. Alterations in the adenosinergic system (adenosine and its receptors) have been referred by many previous studies indicating that deficiencies or modifications in the function of this purinergic system may contribute to epileptogenesis. Due to this emerging implication of adenosine in the managing of seizures, a new field of adenosine-based therapies has been introduced including adenosine itself, adenosine receptor agonists and antagonists and adenosine kinase inhibitors. The method with the least side effects (heart rate, blood pressure, temperature or even sedation) is being quested including intracerebral implantation of adenosine releasing cells or devices.

The role of basic-fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) in cyclosporine-induced nephrotoxicity.

BACKGROUND: The effect of the b-fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) on cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced nephrotoxicity in the rat kidney was investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rats were divided into six groups: A (control), B (b-FGF-treated), C, D: (CsA-treated and sacrificed on days 14 or 21), E, F (Cs A- and b-FGF- treated and sacrificed on days 14 or 21). The antibody mouse anti-rat CD31 was used to evaluate the kidney vessels present in histological preparations. RESULTS: The kidney vessels in group B were increased in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). Reduction of kidney vessels in groups C and D (p<0.05) in comparison with the controls was observed, while in groups E and F they were increased when compared to group C (p<0.05) and D (p<0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: The angiogenic role of b-FGF was confirmed in normal rats and a possible "protective" role of b-FGF was shown in rat kidney with CsA-induced nephrotoxicity.

Angiogenic effect of intramuscular administration of basic fibroblast growth factor in atrophied muscles: an experimental study in the rat.

BACKGROUND: Although angiogenic therapy using recombinant growth factors holds much hope for the treatment of ischaemic diseases, there are still many unanswered questions, including its effectiveness on atrophic muscles. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the angiogenic effects of intramuscularly administered basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) on normal gastrocnemius muscles of rats and atrophic gastrocnemius muscles after tenotomy. METHODS: Forty rats were divided into groups as follows: group A, controls; group B, injected with 1 microg b-FGF; group C, tenotomy performed on the right gastrocnemius muscle; group D, tenotomy and 1 microg b-FGF. Mouse anti-rat CD31 antibody was used to evaluate the number of blood vessels present in histological preparations. RESULTS: There was a significant (p<0.01) decrease in the number of blood vessels compared with the controls in the atrophic muscles of group C. This was similar to the decrease in muscle weight in this group. However, there was a significant (p<0.01) increase in the number of blood vessels compared with the controls in groups B and D. Similarly, there was a significant (p<0.01) increase in the number of blood vessels in group D compared with the atrophic muscles in group C. CONCLUSION: Intramuscular administration of b-FGF increases angiogenesis in both normal and atrophic rat gastrocnemius muscles at the injection area.

Angiogenic effect of intramuscular administration of basic and acidic fibroblast growth factor on skeletal muscles and influence of exercise on muscle angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Angiogenic factors which control the angiogenic process represent a promising strategy for restoration of blood flow, but require further evaluation before clinical use. Exercise has also been reported to induce neovascularisation in muscles. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the angiogenic effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF) and acidic fibroblast growth factor (a-FGF) on rat gastrocnemius muscle, when administered intramuscularly, and to compare them with those obtained by daily exercise. METHODS: Forty nine rats were allotted to the following groups: A, controls; B, exercise by swimming; C1 and C2, intramuscular injection of b-FGF and a-FGF respectively; D1 and D2, b-FGF and a-FGF injection in combination with exercise. The antibody mouse anti-rat CD31 was used to evaluate the numbers of blood vessels present in histological preparations of gastrocnemius muscle. RESULTS: Significant increases in the numbers of blood vessels of the right gastrocnemius muscles in groups C1 and D1 were observed compared with controls (p<0.05). There was only a slight increase in angiogenesis in the left gastrocnemius muscle of groups C1 and D1 compared with controls (p>0.05), and there was a decrease in angiogenesis in the gastrocnemius muscle of the swimming group compared with controls. CONCLUSION: The intramuscular administration of b-FGF, but not a-FGF, induced significant local angiogenesis in gastrocnemius muscle at the site of injection.

Unremitting early stage Hodgkin disease: report of 7 cases and bone marrow tissue immunohistochemical marker study

Es infrecuente la implicación de la médula ósea en la enfermedad de Hodgkin temprana. Estudiamos la composicióninmunohistoquímica del tejido de la médula ósea en 7 de 20 casos de enfermedad de Hodgkin temprana,de la variante de celularidad mixta, diagnosticada en la presentación inicial por biopsia de los ganglios linfáticos,que no respondieron a la radioterapia sola, con objeto de examinar la posible afectación de la médulaósea. Se encontró una frecuencia estadísticamente significativa de infiltrados positivos para CD45, CD45RO yCD4 asociados a la falta de remisión de la enfermedad. El predominio de células positivas para CD4 en lacomposición de la médula ósea: 1) podrían corresponder a su compromiso en el proceso, 2) podrían explicar laproducción anormal de citoquinas que llevan a una reducción de la capacidad inmunológica de las células T ya la ineficacia de las respuestas antitumorales, a pesar de que la gran mayoría de las células infiltrantes son célulasinmunológicamente reactivas

Bone marrow is infrequently implicated in early stage Hodgkin’s disease. We studied theimmunohistochemical bone marrow tissue of 7 out of 20 cases with early stage Hodgkin’s disease of the mixedcellularity variant, diagnosed by lymph node biopsy at initial presentation, not responding to radiotherapyalone, in order to examine possible marrow attack. A statistically significant prevalence of CD45, CD45RO,and CD4 positive infiltrates, to the advantage of unremitting hosts, was found. The predominance of CD4-positive cells in the bone marrow space: 1) might be suggestive of involvement in the process, 2) could explainthe abnormal cytokine production leading to reduced T-cell immunity and inefficient antitumor responsedespite the existence of a vast majority of reactive infiltrating immune cells