Assessment of the Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on the Sexual Function of Women, Levels of Oxytocin and Prolactin: A Prospective Cohort Study.

(1) Background: There is a lack of direct evidence on whether SARS-CoV-2 affects women's sexual function through a biological-organic mechanism. Existing studies on the topic are few and have produced contradictory results. This study aims to explore the possible relationship between sex hormones and sexual function in patients who have been infected with SARS-CoV-2. Moreover, we aimed to determine whether these changes are related to the clinical course of COVID-19 and whether they are temporary or long-lasting. (2) Methods: A study was conducted on 104 women, including 64 women infected with COVID-19 and a control group of 40 healthy women, between January 2021 and August 2022. Blood samples were collected to measure prolactin and oxytocin levels, and a clinical assessment was performed 3 and 6 months later. Sexual function self-assessment was captured based on the FSFI scale. (3) Results: Our study found that patients with severe COVID-19 had better sexual satisfaction scores one month after recovery but no discernible difference after six months. High levels of serum prolactin were observed in patients with active COVID-19 but became similar to a control group after one month and remained stable over time. Higher prolactin levels were significantly associated with increased arousal and hydration. Individuals with severe COVID-19 had notably low levels of plasma oxytocin, but there was no correlation between oxytocin levels and sexual satisfaction. (4) Conclusions: The gynecologic symptoms, as well as disturbances in oxytocin and prolactin levels, might be observed in a short time after infection. However, SARS-CoV-2 infection has no lasting effect on sexual function, oxytocin, and prolactin levels among women.

2,4-dinitrophenol enhances cisplatin and etoposide cytotoxic activity on prostate cancer cell line.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Including additional compounds that disturb the energy metabolism of cancer cells in advanced cancer therapy regimens may be an approach to overcome the problem of drug resistance and the therapeutic effectiveness of classic chemotherapeutics. One of the compounds that decouple oxidative phosphorylation, and thus alter the activity of energy-producing pathways, is 2,4-DNP (2,4- dinitrophenol). OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the ability of the 2,4-DNP to sensitize prostate cancer cells to the action of cisplatin and etoposide, or to intensify their action. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research was carried out on three prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, PC-3, DU-145. To assess the effect of cisplatin or etoposide with 2,4-DNP on prostate cancer cells, MTT assay, analysis of the cell cycle and apoptosis detection was performed. Oxidative stress was investigated by CellRox fluorescence staining and expression of genes related to antioxidant defence. In addition, analysis was conducted of the expression of genes related to cell cycle inhibition, transporters associated with multi-drug resistance and DNA repair. RESULTS: The study showed that the simultaneous incubation of 2,4-DNP with cisplatin or etoposide enhances the cytotoxic effect of the chemotherapeutic agent only in LNCaP cells (oxidative phenotype). CONCLUSIONS: The enhanced cytotoxic effect of chemotherapeutics by 2,4-DNP may be the result of disturbed redox balance, reduced ability of cells to repair DNA, and the oxidative metabolic phenotype of prostate cancer cells.

Phytochemical Analysis and Anti-Cancer Properties of Extracts of Centaurea castriferrei Borbás & Waisb Genus of Centaurea L.

The Centaurea L. (Asteraceae) genus includes many plant species with therapeutic properties. Centaurea castriferrei Borbás & Waisb is one of the least known and least described plants of this genus. The aim of the study was the phytochemical analysis of water and methanol-water extracts (7:3 v/v) obtained from the aerial parts of the plant as well as evaluation of their anticancer activity. Quantitative determinations of phenolic compounds and flavonoids were performed, and the antioxidant potential was measured using the CUPRAC method. The RP-HPLC/DAD analysis and HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS mass spectroscopy were performed, to determine the extracts' composition. The antiproliferative activity of the obtained extracts was tested in thirteen cancer cell lines and normal skin fibroblasts using MTT test. Regardless of the extraction method and the extractant used, similar cytotoxicity of the extracts on most cancer cell lines was observed. However, the methanol-water extracts (7:3 v/v) contained significantly more phenolic compounds and flavonoids as well as showing stronger antioxidant properties in comparison to water extracts. Centaurea castriferrei Borbás & Waisb is a rich source of apigenin and its derivatives. In all tested extracts, chlorogenic acid and centaurein were also identified. In vitro research revealed that this plant may be a potential source of compounds with anticancer activity.