Dexamethasone-induced changes in sympathetic innervation of porcine ovaries and in their steroidogenic activity.

The aim of the present study was to determine changes in the density of sympathetic nerves in porcine ovaries with dexamethasone (DXM)-induced cysts and the alterations in steroidogenic activity and amounts of catecholamines in the affected gonads. Cystic ovaries were supplied by numerous sympathetic nerve fibers. The amount of noradrenaline in the cysts (fluid, wall) was significantly higher than in the large follicles of the control group. After DXM injections, the amounts of noradrenaline and adrenaline significantly increased in the walls of small and medium-sized follicles. In the cysts (fluid, wall) the levels of androgens and estrogens were significantly lower, whereas progesterone was higher in the cystic wall. DXM administration led to a significant increase in the estrone content in the fluid of small follicles. Moreover, a decrease in the amounts of progesterone and androgens was found in the follicular fluid and walls of medium-sized follicles. DXM injections resulted in a significant increase in the immunoexpression of P450(scc) and 3beta-HSD in the cysts, a significant increase of P450(scc) in the follicles, and a decrease of 3beta-HSD and P450(arom). The present study shows that the DXM treatment leads to an increase in the density of intraovarian sympathetic nerves, paralleled by the amount of catecholamines, and that it is capable of changing the steroidogenic activity of porcine ovary bearing cysts. Thus, it appears possible that these events may be, at least partly, involved in the pathogenesis of this disorder.

Denervation of the porcine ovaries performed during the early luteal phase influenced morphology and function of the gonad.

We studied both morphology and steroidogenic activity of ovaries in gilts after bilateral surgical denervation performed on day 3 of the estrous cycle. Blood samples were collected from day 4 of the first estrous cycle to day 11 of the subsequent cycle. Denervation resulted in a dramatic reduction in the number or in the disappearance of tyrosine hydroxylase/dopamine-beta-hydroxylase- and/or neuropeptide Y-immunoreactive nerve fibres. On day 11 of the second cycle, the number of follicles (3-6 mm in diameter) was lower (p<0.001) in the denervated ovaries, while corpora lutea were not present. Neurectomy also led to a decrease in the concentrations of progesterone, androstendione and 17beta-estradiol in the follicular fluid originated from small (1-3 mm in diameter) as well as medium-sized follicles (3-6 mm in diameter). Similar to follicular fluid, concentration of androstendione in the follicular wall of medium-sized follicles decreased in experimental gilts in comparison to that of control animals. In addition, plasma concentrations of LH and steroid hormones were lower in the control than in the experimental group. Our results show that denervation of ovaries during the early luteal phase of the estrous cycle in gilts resulted in the changes in both morphology and steroidogenic activity. These results confirm the important role of the peripheral nerves in the function of ovaries.

Recursive partitioning analysis classifications I and II: applicability evaluated in a randomized trial for resected single brain metastases.

PURPOSE: Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) prognostic classes I and II for patients with brain metastases is derived from a database made up primarily of patients with unresected and multiple metastases. An analysis of a previously published randomized trial was performed to determine the applicability of these RPA prognostic classes in the setting of resection of single metastases to the brain. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ninety-five patients with single metastases to the brain that were treated with complete surgical resection entered this study. Patients were randomly assigned to treatment with postoperative whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) (n = 49 patients) or no further brain treatment (n = 46 patients). All patients entered on this study had a Karnofsky performance status of > or =70. Therefore, although the RTOG RPA has 3 classes, only patients with RPA classes I (n = 26) or II (n = 69) were eligible for this study analysis. RESULTS: For RPA class I, the median survival was 10.9 months versus 9.8 months for class II patients (P = 0.45). Multivariate analysis showed that only postoperative WBRT, independent of RPA class I or II, lessened the risk of brain tumor recurrence (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This analysis of a randomized trial evaluating postoperative WBRT in the treatment of single metastases to the brain showed no difference in survival between RPA class I or II patients. In addition, the use of postoperative WBRT after complete surgical resection of single brain metastases results in substantially better control of disease in the brain independent of RPA classes I or II.