Extracellular matrix proteins in healthy and retained placentas, comparing hemochorial and synepitheliochorial placentas.

The placenta expresses structural and biologically active proteins. Their synthesis is mainly regulated by genomic or nongenomic signals and modulated by hormones. These protein profiles are altered during different stages of pregnancy. The biological properties of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins were defined and described in a number of tissues including placenta. These properties enable them to be the main players in the processes of attachment or invasion into the endometrium during initial placenta formation and its timely separation after delivery and detachment. In this review, we focused on the role of ECM proteins during attachment of the placenta to the uterine wall, its timely separation, and the implications of this process on retained or pathologically attached placenta. Although the amount of published information in this area is relatively scant, some of the key proteins and processes are well defined. We focused on the available data detailing the ECM protein profiles of human (histologically thin; hemochorial) and bovine (histologically thick; epitheliochorial) placentas and compared the shared and unique ECM proteins that are relevant to placental attachment and separation.

[Glutathione peroxidase concentration in the peritoneal fluid from infertile women]. / Stezenie peroksydazy glutationowej w plynie otrzewnowym nieplodnych kobiet.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the concentration of Plasma Glutathione Peroxidase (plGPx) in the peritoneal fluid (PF) of patients with unexplained infertility and infertile women with minimal and mild endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 33 women were studied, including 8 infertile women with minimal or mild endometriosis, 15 patients with unexplained infertility and 10 patients with tubal occlusion (a reference group). Concentration of plGPx was measured in the PF using a commercially available ELISA kit (Oxis Inc.). RESULTS: The plGPx concentration was significantly (p = 0.04) lower in PF from women with unexplained infertility (846 +/- 177 ng/ml) compared to the reference group (1023 +/- 238 ng/ml), but did not differ significantly (p = 0.25) between women with endometriosis (918 +/- 81 ng/ml) and patients with tubal infertility. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that low peritoneal plGPx concentration may play a role in the pathogenesis of infertility.

Synthesis and pharmacological screening of pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridazine derivatives.

Ethyl 3-chloro-6-(4-chlorophenyl)-pyridazine-4-carboxylate [VII] was cyclized with some nucleophilic reagents (hydrazine hydrate or N-monosubstituted hydrazines) to the new derivatives of pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridazine [IXa-d]. The structures of the novel compounds were confirmed by elemental and spectral analyses. The effect of several synthesized derivatives on the central nervous system was studied.

Central action of glucagon.

The central action of the peptide of intestinal tract, glucagon, was studied in Albino Swiss mice (20-25 g) and Wistar rats (200-220 g). Glucagon was injected intracerebroventricularly (icv) at the dose of 0.25, 0.5 and 1 microgram in 1 microliter of distilled water per mouse or 5 micrograms in 5 microliters per rat. It was found that glucagon administered icv increased glucose content in the peripheral blood serum. Behavioral studies have shown that glucagon diminished spontaneous locomotor activity in rats and mice, impaired exploratory activity and reduced amphetamine-induced hyperactivity. The results were not dependent on hyperglycaemia because the administration of 20% glucose solution po did not cause above effects. In addition, glucagon potentiated cataleptogenic effects of haloperidol. Icv injection of glucagon did not change the pain sensitivity or seizure susceptibility. The substance did not show the anxiolytic properties and did not affect the duration of hexobarbital-induced sleep. In biochemical studies it was found that glucagon injected icv induced the decrease in GABA content while the DA content was increased. The utilization of DA was not changed. The obtained results indicated, that glucagon injected icv exerted the central action, which was manifested by the central regulation of glucose level in the periphery. Moreover, glucagon inhibited the locomotor and exploratory activity as well as the amphetamine-induced hyperactivity and enhanced haloperidol-induced catalepsy. These effect could be connected with the inhibition of the central dopaminergic structures by glucagon.

Central action of insect neuropeptide, periplanetin CC-1, in mice.

The central action of periplanetin CC-1 (Pea-HrTH) (Glp-Val-Asn-Phe-Ser-Pro-Asn-TrpNH2), octapeptide of the insect adipokinetic hormone family (AKH-family), isolated from American cockroach-Periplaneta americana, was studied in Albino Swiss mice (20-25 g). CC-1 was injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) in the volume of 5 microliters at the dose of 50 ng/mouse. It was found that CC-1 showed strong analgesic activity in "writhing syndrome" test and in "hot plate" test. In addition, periplanetin CC-1 decreased the threshold for tonic seizures and increased mortality in pentetrazole-induced seizures, having no influence on the electric convulsions. CC-1 is known to be a glucagon-like AKH in insects. However, administered i.c.v. to mice, it did not increase the peripheral blood glucose level. The obtained results indicate that periplanetin CC-1 shows a biological action in vertebrates, but its metabolic effects are different than in insects.