Modulatory effect of three antibiotics on uterus bovine contractility in vitro and likely therapeutic approaches in reproduction

In Situ Uterine Artery Prostaglandin E2 and Nitric Oxide in Open-Cervix Pyometra and Medically Treated Bitches

Uterine vascular alterations take place in pyometra bitches speculatively influenced by prostaglandin and nitric oxide pathways. However, no causative effect of nitric oxide on endometrial vascularization was proved elsewhere for medically treated pyometra bitches. This study aimed to identify the main in situ uterine artery vasodilation pathway in pyometra bitches medically treated with antigestagen solely or coupled with prostaglandin. Pyometra bitches were enrolled into groups: Ovariohysterectomy at diagnosis (Control-OHE; n = 7), Antigestagen (10 mg/kg aglepristone on Days 1, 2, and 8 after diagnosis; n = 5), and Antigestagen + luteolytic (aglepristone plus 1 μg/kg of cloprostenol from Days 1-7; n = 5). Treated bitches were ovariohysterectomized after 8 days of treatment. Uterine artery fragments from all bitches were collected for tissue nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 assays. Control-OHE group had lower uterine artery concentration of nitric oxide compared to treated bitches (Antigestagen and Antigestagen + luteolytic groups). No significant difference was verified between the medical treated groups. Uterine artery concentration of prostaglandin E2 was not different between control and treated bitches, as well as between both treated groups. In conclusion, nitric oxide and prostaglandin E2 are not directly involved in vascular modulation of the uterine artery, albeit pyometra medical treatment influences nitric oxide concentration in the uterine artery.

Pulmonary Toxicities Associated With the Use of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: An Update From the Immuno-Oncology Subgroup of the Neutropenia, Infection & Myelosuppression Study Group of the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer

The development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized cancer treatment, with agents such as nivolumab, pembrolizumab, and cemiplimab targeting programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) and durvalumab, avelumab, and atezolizumab targeting PD-ligand 1 (PD-L1). Ipilimumab targets cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA-4). These inhibitors have shown remarkable efficacy in melanoma, lung cancer, urothelial cancer, and a variety of solid tumors, either as single agents or in combination with other anticancer modalities. Additional indications are continuing to evolve. Checkpoint inhibitors are associated with less toxicity when compared to chemotherapy. These agents enhance the antitumor immune response and produce side- effects known as immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Although the incidence of immune checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (ICI-Pneumonitis) is relatively low, this complication is likely to cause the delay or cessation of immunotherapy and, in severe cases, may be associated with treatment-related mortality. The primary mechanism of ICI-Pneumonitis remains unclear, but it is believed to be associated with the immune dysregulation caused by ICIs. The development of irAEs may be related to increased T cell activity against cross-antigens expressed in tumor and normal tissues. Treatment with ICIs is associated with an increased number of activated alveolar T cells and reduced activity of the anti-inflammatory Treg phenotype, leading to dysregulation of T cell activity. This review discusses the pathogenesis of alveolar pneumonitis and the incidence, diagnosis, and clinical management of pulmonary toxicity, as well as the pulmonary complications of ICIs, either as monotherapy or in combination with other anticancer modalities, such as thoracic radiotherapy.

Scopolamine butylbromide decreases the xylazine-mediated contractility in bovine pregnant uteri

The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate and compare the effects of scopolamine butylbromide (Spasmolax^®) on xylazine-sensitized bovine pregnant uterine strips, at different stages of pregnancy. The procedures were carried out in isolated organ bath. Uterine motility, expressed with amplitude, frequency of contractions as well as the area under the curve, was recorded in different stages of pregnancy and data were collected at 5-min intervals starting 5 min before treatment until 10 min after treatment (5-min after xylazine administration and 5-min after scopolamine butylbromide addition). The results suggest that scopolamine butylbromide might decrease the tonic effect induced by xylazine on bovine pregnant uteri from 0-30 days to 240-270 days.

Contractile effect of rifaximin on bovine uterus in the presence of steroid hormone antagonists

This in vitro study investigated the modulatory effect of rifaximin on bovine uterus contractility, in both phases of the oestrous cycle, with and without the steroid hormones that are predominant in the respective phases: oestrogen in the follicular phase and progesterone in the luteal phase. The procedures were conducted in an isolated organ bath by using rifaximin alone (10^-4 M) and in association with the steroid hormone antagonists (10^-5 M) tamoxifen (oestrogen antagonist) in the follicular phase and mifepristone (progesterone antagonist) in the luteal phase. The results indicated that rifaximin can stimulate uterine contractility. Indeed, the administration of rifaximin in the presence of tamoxifen or mifepristone increased the tonic activity of the uterus in both phases of the cycle. This result is clinically significant because rifaximin might also enable, in vivo, a simultaneous increase in uterine cleaning and the antimicrobial action against bacteria during the first 14 days postpartum, during the development of acute metritis.

Effect of neostigmine on contractility of equine pre-ovulatory follicles: An in vitro study

In this study, the Authors investigated the modulatory effect of three single doses (10^-6, 10^-5, and 10^-4 M) of neostigmine on the spontaneous contractility of equine pre-ovulatory follicles in an isolated organ bath, to establish the relationship between this acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and ovulation, in the mare. The results indicate that neostigmine increases pre-ovulatory contractility in equine follicles at each dose, but in a different manner. Indeed, the rise in contractility induced by neostigmine at 10^-6 M and 10^-4 M was phasic, while at 10^-5 M it was tonic. The data obtained indicate possible implications of these drugs in the pharmacological modulation of equine ovulation.