Modulation of allergic contact dermatitis via gut microbiota modified by diet, vitamins, probiotics, prebiotics, and antibiotics.

Allergic contact dermatitis is one of the most common recorded occupational diseases. There are many different substances that the skin comes into contact with on a daily basis and that can cause ACD, e.g., preservatives, surfactants, and antimicrobial agents. The development of a mouse model of ACD has provided insight into the immune mechanisms involved. Drugs used in the treatment of skin diseases have many side effects. Therefore, alternative methods of suppressing the immune response to reduce the symptoms of skin diseases are being sought. In recent years, high hopes have been placed on dietary modulation and supplementation to affect the intestinal microbial composition and promote anti-inflammatory responses. In addition, other studies have shown the crucial role of intestinal microbiota in many immune-mediated diseases. Recognition and characterization of pro- and anti-inflammatory nutrients and supplements may be crucial to support the treatment of diseases such as atopic dermatitis, acne vulgaris, psoriasis, and allergic contact dermatitis.

Can Lactobacillus spp. Be a Factor Reducing the Risk of Miscarriage?

Pregnancy loss is a common obstetric problem. Significant causes of miscarriage include genetic and epigenetic disorders of the embryo, immunological and endocrine factors, uterine malformations, improper embryo selection, and lifestyle. Perhaps a hitherto underappreciated cause of miscarriage may be an abnormal microbiota composition of the female reproductive system. Lactobacillus spp. is the most common bacteria within the reproductive tract. However, the protective role of Lactobacilli in the vagina has been well described in the literature, while it is still unknown what function Lactobacilli may have in the uterus. Moreover, new research shows that Lactobacillus spp. can have a role in miscarriage. However, both molecular and immunological mechanisms of host-Lactobacillus spp. interactions are not fully understood. Understanding these relationships will help address the importance and extent of the protective role of Lactobacillus spp. in miscarriage.

[Epigenetics in the placenta, the current knowledge and future clinical perspectives]. / Zjawisko epigenezy w lozysku, aktualny stan wiedzy i perspektywy zastosowania w praktyce klinicznej.

The proper placenta's structure and function are essential conditions to correct pregnancy's and labour's course. Nowadays the role of epigenetics in this organ is more carefully investigated. Some of epigenetics' modifications as DNA methylation, non-coding RNA action or histone modification are able to change the genes' expression without the change of DNA sequence. This phenomenon is particularly intensified in the placenta. Epigenetics placenta's irregularities can be responsible for many pregnancy pathologies, for example spontaneous miscarriage, pre-eclampsia or intrauterine growth retardation, and for many postnatal diseases, such as cancer or mental problems. In the future the monitoring of epigenetics placenta's modifications enables the estimation of pregnancy complications and postnatal diseases risk. Moreover, it will be possible to understand the role of epigenetics in functions the different kinds of cells, including cancer cells.

Lack of TCRalphabeta+ CD8+ and TCRgammadelta+ lymphocytes ameliorates LPS induced orchitis in mice--preliminary histological observations.

The inflammation of the reproductive system can affect reproduction causing partial or complete infertility. It is well known that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) triggers an inflammatory response in the whole organism, including immunologically privileged organs, e.g. the testicles. Adult male TCRalpha-/-, TCRdelta-/-, CD1d-/- and beta2m-/- on B10.PL (H-2(u)) and B10.PL control mice were intraperitonealy (i.p.) injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The animals were killed 24h and 10 days post LPS treatment and their gonads were prepared for microscopic examination. Histological changes in the testes after LPS injection were found only in control B10PL and CD1d-/- mice. The experiments revealed disturbances in Leydig's glands structure, blood vessel dilatation in the interstitial tissue as well as degeneration of seminal tubule epithelium, disruption ofspermatogenesis and subsequent decrease of sperm cell number in the tubule lumen. These changes were noticed mainly 10 days after LPS treatment. Lack of either TCRalphabeta+ CD8+ or TCRgammadelta+ lymphocytes diminishes the response of testicular macrophages to LPS whereas the absence of CD1d-dependent NKT cells does not affect macrophage reactivity.

[The parameters of ovarian reserve and their usefulness to assess the present and future woman's fertility]. / Parametry rezerwy jajnikowej i ich przydatnosc w okreslaniu aktualnej i przyszlej plodnosci kobiety.

It is well-known fact, that recently women decide to have a baby much later than previously. However after reaching 35 years old the woman's fertility reduces considerably. The effect of this phenomenon causes the increase of assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. Using of endocrinological, visual and genetic test combinations should assess the ovarian reserve and success of ART procedure. These tests could be used for estimation of approximate fertility of woman in future and for choice of the optimal time for having a baby.

Carvedilol induces endogenous hydrogen sulfide tissue concentration changes in various mouse organs.

Carvedilol, a third generation non-selective adrenoreceptor blocker, is widely used in cardiology. Its action has been proven to reach beyond adrenergic antagonism and involves multiple biological mechanisms. The interaction between carvedilol and endogenous 'gasotransmitter' hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is unknown. The aim of the study is to assess the influence of carvedilol on the H2S tissue level in mouse brain, liver, heart and kidney. Twenty eight SJL strain female mice were administered intraperitoneal injections of 2.5 mg/kg b.w./d (group D1, n=7), 5 mg/kg b.w./d (group D2, n=7) or 10 mg/kg b.w./d of carvedilol (group D3, n=7). The control group (n=7) received physiological saline in portions of the same volume (0.2 ml). Measurements of the free tissue H2S concentrations were performed according to the modified method of Siegel. A progressive decline in H2S tissue concentration along with an increase in carvedilol dose was observed in the brain (12.5%, 13.7% and 19.6%, respectively). Only the highest carvedilol dose induced a change in H2S tissue level in the heart - an increase by 75.5%. In the liver medium and high doses of carvedilol increased the H2S level by 48.1% and 11.8%, respectively. In the kidney, group D2 showed a significant decrease of H2S tissue level (22.5%), while in the D3 group the H2S concentration increased by 12.9%. Our study has proven that carvedilol affects H2S tissue concentration in different mouse organs.

Histological changes in seminiferous epithelium in testis of male mice induced by injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

LPS induces an inflammatory state which kmitates septic shock and which involves also an organ which is immunologically advantageous, namely testicle. Within an area of a gonad, this manifests itself by histological changes in the structure of germinal epithelium. The blockages of cell divisions lead also to disorders in the proportions of cells in particular stages of spermatogenesis, degeneration of germinal epithelium and the decrease of the number of spermatozoa in the lumen of seminiferous tubules. Maximal changes are observed on the 15th day of inflammatory state and they are reversible with the process of the animals' restoration to health. The number of macrophages rises quickly in Leydig's glands and it remains constant till the 28th day after the administration of LPS.

Lipopolysaccharide aggravates cerebral pathology in B10.PL-derived CD1-/-, beta2m-/-, TCRalpha-/-, and TCRdelta-/- knockout mice.

Adult B10.PL-derived immunological genes knockout mice injected with 100 microg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) showed severe hydrocephalus and meningitis. A consequence of the hydrocephalus is pineal hyperplasia, sponginess of periventricular parenchyma, gliosis and, at the last stage of hydrocephalus formation, disappearance of the ependymal layer and the Gomori-positive subependymal astrocytes. Possible mechanisms for the aggravation of cerebral pathology induced by LPS are discussed.

[Phytoestrogens: are they really safe?]. / Fitoestrogeny: czy aby na pewno bezpieczne?

The aim of this article was to present a simple classification of phytoestrogens, their approximate content in food products as well as their synthesis, biotransformation and activity in human organism. Having various mechanisms of action, phytoestrogens display both beneficial and adverse effects on physiological processes. Several positive health effects have been associated with phytoestrogens, such as a protective role against the development of cancers, proestrogenic effects (particularly with postmenopausal women) and beneficial influence on cardiovascular and osseous systems. Adverse effects of phytoestrogens have been observed in fetuses and young specimens. Limited studies have displayed disorders in morphology and physiology of the male reproductive system. High plasma phytoestrogens level inhibits a cellular activity of some enzymes, e.g. enzymes involved in the synthesis of steroid hormones. Direct contact with exogenous, environmental estrogens depends on human diet and it can be variable in different populations.