The protective role of prenatal administration of ascorbic acid on autistic-like behavior in a rat model of autism

Background

Autism is a complicated neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by several behavioral impairments. The pathology of autism is complex and not fully known. Several recent studies have shown alterations in the activities of antioxidant enzymes in autism. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that is present in high concentrations in the brain and acts as a neuromodulator. Prefrontal abnormality has been hypothesized to underlie autistic symptoms. The present study investigated the protective effect of prenatally Vitamin C on autistic-like behaviors, oxidative stress status, and histopathological change of prefrontal in valproic acid (VPA) rat model of autism.

Method

The model of autism was induced by subcutaneous administration of Valproic acid (600 mg/kg) to pregnant rats at gestational day 12.5. Vitamin C was administered 600 mg/L in drinking water from the 5th day of gestaion (GD5) up to postnatal day 23 (PND23). Thirty-two rat offspring were divided into four groups: Control, Vitamin C, VPA, and Vitamin C + VPA. The offspring were tested for repetitive behaviors and cognitive ability with a Y-maze task and social interaction with a play behavior task on 31st of Postnatal days. Glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and the histological change in the prefrontal lobe were assessed at the end of the study. The number of neurons from the left prefrontal lobe was counted in duplicate from slides stained with hematoxylin-eosin.

Results

In the Y-maze apparatus, spontaneous alteration significantly decreased in the prenatal VPA treated rats compared to control rats showing autistic-like behavior; pre and postnatal Vitamin C treatment increased the alternation indicated benefit effect of Vitamin C. Prenatal VPA treatment impaired play behavior such as sniffing, grooming and darting. Vitamin C treatment attenuated the problems in male offspring social behavior. Histological examination showed an increase in the number of cells in the prefrontal cortex of valproic acid offspring rats compared to other groups. Moreover, prenatal VPA decreased antioxidant enzyme activities in the cortex (PFC) attenuated by Vitamin C administration.

Conclusion

The present study showed that valproic acid induced oxidative stress and neural changes in the prefrontal lobe when administered prenatally which in turn may cause the development of some autistic-like behaviors, and vitamin C may reduce this symptom with its antioxidant effects.

Improvement of autistic-like behaviors in adult rats prenatally exposed to valproic acid through early suppression of orexin receptor

Introduction

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a disabling psychiatric disease characterized by impairments in communication and social skills. The pathophysiology of autism is complex and not fully known. Considering the incidence of sleep disorders in individuals with ASD and the important role of orexin in sleep, it is possible to hypothesize that an alteration of the orexinergic system could be implicated in the pathogenesis of autism symptoms. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of suvorexant [dual orexin receptor antagonists (DORAs)] on autism-like behavior in prenatally valproic acid (VPA)-exposed rats].

Methods

Wistar female rats were administered VPA [600 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)] or normal saline (10 ml/kg, i.p.; vehicle control) on gestational day 12.5. Thirty-two male offspring were divided into four groups: Control, VPA, Suvorexant+VPA, and VPA+Risperidone. The pups were given suvorexant [20 ml/kg, by mouth/orally (p.o.)] or risperidone (1 ml/kg, p.o.) daily from postnatal day (PND) (40-54). The offspring were tested for repetitive behaviors and cognitive ability with a Y-maze task on PND 55, and social interaction was assessed by play behavior in the open field on PND 56. And anxiety with using the three-chamber social assay on PND 56.

Results

In the Y-maze apparatus, spontaneous alteration significantly decreased in the prenatal VPA-treated rats compared to control rats showing autistic-like behavior, and 2-week suvorexant increased the alternation, indicating the beneficial effect of suvorexant. Prenatal treatment with VPA, impaired play behavior (sniffing, grooming, and darting), and increased anxiety-related behavior. Suvorexant treatment attenuated the problems in male offspring's social behavior.

Conclusion

Our results showed that suvorexant improved ASD-associated behaviors in the VPA-treated rats, and the orexinergic system may be associated with the pathogenesis of autism symptoms.

Neuroprotective Effect of Thiazolidine-2,4-dione Derivatives on Memory Deficits and Neuropathological Symptoms of Dementia on a Scopolamine-Induced Alzheimer's Model in Adult Male Wistar Rats

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with a decline in memory deficits and neuropathological diagnosis with loss of cholinergic neurons in the brains of older adults. Based on these facts and an increasing number of involved people worldwide, this investigation aimed to study the improvement of memory and cognitive impairments via an anticholinergic approach of thiazolidine-2,4-diones (TZDs) in the scopolamine-induced model of Alzheimer type in adult male Wistar rats (n = 40). The results indicated data analysis obtained from in vivo and in vitro tests for (E)-5-(3-hydroxybenzylidene)-3-(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl)thiazolidine-2,4-dione (TZ3O) (2 and 4 mg/kg) with the meta-hydroxy group and (E)-5-(4-methoxybenzylidene)-3-(2-oxo-2-phenylethyl)thiazolidine-2,4-dione (TZ4M) (2 and 3 mg/kg) with the para-methoxy group showed a neuroprotective effect. TZ3O and TZ4M alleviated the scopolamine-induced cognitive decline of the Alzheimer model in adult male Wistar rats. These initial and noteworthy results could be assumed as a starting point for the evolution of new anti-Alzheimer agents.

The effect of simvastatin on gene expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor, sterol regulatory element-binding proteins, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 mRNA in rat hepatic tissues

The study aimed to assess the effect of simvastatin on gene expression of LDLR, SREBPs, and SCD1 in rat hepatic tissues fed with high-fat diets (HFD) and its association with some biochemical parameters. Thirty-two male Wister albino rats were divided into four equal groups (three test and one control groups). The biochemical parameters were determined by using spectrophotometer techniques and the Elisa method. Low-density lipoprotein receptor, sterol regulatory element-binding proteins, stearoyl-CoA desaturase1, Beta-actin were analysed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. At the end of study, the livers of the rats were separated and changes of hepatic tissue were determined. LDLR, SREBP2, and SCD1 expression increased significantly when compared G1 versus G4 and G2 versus G4. The expression of LDLR, SREBP2, and SCD1 also increased significantly when compared G2 versus G3, G1versus G3 and G1 versus G3 and G2 versus G3. The serum level of cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, LDL, and HDL increased significantly when compared G1 versus G3. LDL showed significantly decreased when compared G1 versus G2. Cholesterol, glucose and HDL and triglyceride levels were increased significantly when compared G1 versus G4 and G2. Treatment of rats with HFD and simvastatin 20 mg/kg, triglyceride and LDL were almost the same as a control group and LDLR expression increased 98% in liver tissue. Gene expressions may be up-regulated in liver tissue and they showed different effects on biochemical parameters.

Effects of Goldblatt hypertension on rats’ hippocampal cholinergic system

Background

The classical renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has an important role in the cardiovascular system and water homeostasis in the body. Recently, the existence of RAS with all of its components has been shown in the mammalian brain. RAS participates in many brain activities, including memory acquisition and consolidation. Since the cholinergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus is crucial for these functions, this study aims to evaluate the hippocampal angiotensin receptors (ATs) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA in the renovascular hypertensive rats in captopril- and losartan-treated hypertensive rats.

Methods

The rats were randomly divided into four groups of eight animals; sham, Goldblatt two kidney one clip (2K1C) hypertensive rats and Goldblatt 2K1C hypertensive rats received 5 mg/kg captopril and Goldblatt 2K1C hypertensive rats received 10 mg/kg losartan. After 8 days of treatment, the rats were sacrificed and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), ChAT, AT1, and AT2 receptor mRNAs in the hippocampus of rats were assessed by real-time PCR. The Morris water maze test was applied to measure the cognitive functioning of the rats.

Results

Hypertensive rats showed impaired acquisition and memory function in the Morris water maze test. Treatment with ACE inhibitor (captopril) and AT1 receptor antagonist (losartan) reversed the observed acquisition and memory deficit in hypertensive rats. Overexpression of AChE, AT1, and AT2 and low expression of ChAT were noted in the hippocampus of rats with Goldblatt hypertension compared with that of the sham group. Treatment with captopril significantly reversed these changes, while treatment with losartan slightly reduced the mentioned effects.

Conclusion

The memory-enhancing effect of captopril in renovascular hypertensive rats might lead to increased hippocampal ChAT expression.

Silver nanoparticles modify hypothalamic-pituitary-interrenal axis and block cortisol response to an acute stress in zebrafish, Danio rerio

The present study aimed at assessing the effects of exposure to silver nanoparticle (AgNP) and a subsequent acute stress on the expression of various genes involved in the hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal (HPI) axis in zebrafish, Danio rerio. The fish were exposed to 0 (Control), 0.1 (LC), 0.4 (MC), and 1.2 (HC) mg Ag/L (as AgNP) over a 2-week period, followed by an acute air exposure stress. The whole body cortisol and the expression of selected genes in the fish brain and kidney were analyzed, before and after the acute stress. The results showed that AgNP increased basal cortisol levels and the expression of corticotropin releasing factor, prohormone convertase 1, pro-opiomelanocortin, and melanocortin 2 receptor; however, it suppressed/inhibited whole body cortisol, brain corticotropin releasing factor responses, pro-opiomelanocortin, and the kidney melanocortin 2 receptor responses to the acute stress. AgNP down-regulated the expression of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, but it intensified the gene expression in response to the acute stress. Before the acute stress, LC treatment exhibited an up-regulation in Cytochrome P450-11A-1 expression, but MC and HC treatments induced down-regulation. After the acute stress, the AgNP-exposed fish exhibited decreased Cytochrome P450-11A-1 expressions, compared with the Control. Exposure to AgNP significantly increased Cytochrome P450-11B expression. However, after the acute stress, LC treatment exhibited an up-regulation, but MC and HC treatments exhibited down-regulation in the Cytochrome P450-11B gene expression. In conclusion, AgNP suppressed cortisol response to stress, which appears to be a consequence of alterations in the HPI axis at the transcriptomic levels.

Effect of Bitter Melon on Spatial Memory of Rats Receiving a High-Fat Diet

INTRODUCTION

Momordica charantia or bitter melon is a tropical vine of the family Cucurbitaceous widely grown in India. Its fruits have potent anti-oxidant properties due to the presence of tannins, vitamin C and flavonoids. There is much evidence it protects cognitive function and cholesterol level. In addition, there are reports of the effect of a high-fat diet (HFD)on memory. In this study, the effect of bitter melon on spatial memory in rats, following an HFD, in a water maze was examined.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In this study, 28 male Wistar rats aged 10 weeks and weighing between 180 and 250 grams were divided into four groups (N=7). Control, High-fat, High-fat + bitter melon, and bitter melon. The control group was fed a standard rat diet, whereas the high-fat groups were fed the same standard diet containing 5% cholesterol for eight weeks, and the treated group received, in addition, 1 g/kg bitter melon fruit powder in their diet, Learning and spatial memory were evaluated by using a Morris Water Maze (MWM) for a six-day period, including five days of training, the last day was the test day (probe day).

RESULTS

The high-fat group was fed a high-fat diet for two months, this resulted in reduced learning ability;, this group took longer and travelled a longer distance compared to the control group. However, the administration of bitter melon improved memory function only in the high-fat group.

CONCLUSION

The administration of bitter melon improves spatial-memory performance in rats receiving an HFD.

Design and production of methyl jasmonate nanoemulsions using experimental design technique and evaluation of its anti-cancer efficacy

Methyl jasmonate (MJ), a plant-derived stress hormone, has been shown to be a promising anti-cancer agent with high selectivity toward cancerous cells. The aim of the present study was to design a MJ loaded nanoemulsion (NE) to overcome the low MJ water solubility and also improve its anti-cancer efficiency. Box-Behnken design (BBD) was employed to optimize the composition effect of three independent manufacturing variables on two responses including average droplet size and poly dispersity index (PDI). ANOVA analysis indicated that both of the studied responses were well fitted by resultant quadratic models with the coefficient of determinations (R2) 0.994 and 0.975, respectively. The actual average droplet size 75.06 nm and PDI 0.017 obtained for the optimum MJNE was in good agreement with those values predicted with numerical optimization. Physicochemical characterization indicated that the optimum MJNE was transparent, isotropic, spherical and sterically stabilized. MTT assay indicated that MJNE was more efficacious in killing cancer cells than MJ solution. Cell cycle analysis revealed that MJNE induced a stronger sub-G1 arrest than MJ solution. A considerable absence of toxicity was achieved for MJNE and blank NE in HUVEC normal cells. These results may provide strong support to develop a NE delivery system as a promising carrier for improving the safety and anti-cancer efficacy of MJ.

Amphotericin B potentiates the anticancer activity of doxorubicin on the MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Despite the improvements in cancer treatment, breast cancer still remains the second most common cause of death from cancer in women. Doxorubicin (DOXO) is widely used for cancer treatment. However, drug resistance limits the treatment outcome. Here, we investigated the toxicity of DOXO in combination with an antifungal agent amphotericin B (AmB) against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line. The cell viability was measured using MTT assay. The apoptosis was studied by caspase-8 and caspase-9 activity measurements and DNA fragmentation was investigated by TUNEL assay. The combination of two drugs significantly increased the apoptotic index and the caspase-8 and caspase-9 activities in comparison to DOXO-treated cells. Our finding showed that pre-treatment of MCF-7 cells with AmB synergistically exerted the anticancer effect of DOXO through the caspase-dependent apoptosis manner.

Gonadectomy reduces the density of androgen receptor-immunoreactive neurons in male rat's hippocampus: testosterone replacement compensates it

BACKGROUND

In the present study, the role of gonadectomy on memory impairment and the density of androgen receptor-immunoreactive neurons in rats' hippocampus as well as the ability of testosterone to compensate of memory and the density of androgen receptors in the hippocampus was evaluated.

METHODS

Adult male rats (except intact-no testosterone group) were bilaterally castrated, and behavioral tests performed 2 weeks later. Animals bilaterally cannulated into lateral ventricles and then received testosterone (10, 40 and 120 µg/0.5 µl DMSO) or vehicle (DMSO; 0.5 µl) for gonadectomized-vehicle group, 30 min before training in water maze test. The androgen receptor-immunoreactive neurons were detected by immunohistochemical technique in the hippocampal areas.

RESULTS

In the gonadectomized male rats, a memory deficit was found in Morris water maze test on test day (5th day) after DMSO administration. Gonadectomy decreased density of androgen receptor-immunoreactive neurons in the rats' hippocampus. The treatment with testosterone daily for 5 days attenuated memory deficits induced by gonadectomy. Testosterone also significantly increased the density of androgen receptor-immunoreactive neurons in the hippocampal areas. The intermediate dose of this hormone (40 µg) appeared to have a significant effect on spatial memory and the density of androgen receptor-immunoreactive neurons in gonadectomized rats' hippocampus.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggests that testosterone can compensate memory failure in gonadectomized rats. Also testosterone replacement can compensate the reduction of androgen receptor-immunoreactive neurons density in the rats' hippocampus after gonadectomy.

Modulation of the hepatocyte rough endoplasmic reticulum single chloride channel by nucleotide-Mg2+ interaction

The effect of nucleotides on single chloride channels derived from rat hepatocyte rough endoplasmic reticulum vesicles incorporated into bilayer lipid membrane was investigated. The single chloride channel currents were measured in 200/50 mmol/l KCl cis/trans solutions. Adding 2.5 mM adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP) did not influence channel activity. However, MgATP addition inhibited the chloride channels by decreasing the channel open probability (Po) and current amplitude, whereas mixture of Mg(2+) and ADP activated the chloride channel by increasing the Po and unitary current amplitude. According to the results, there is a novel regulation mechanism for rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) Cl(-) channel activity by intracellular MgATP and mixture of Mg(2+) and ADP that would result in significant inhibition by MgATP and activation by mixture of Mg(2+) and ADP. These modulatory effects of nucleotide-Mg(2+) complexes on chloride channels may be dependent on their chemical structure configuration. It seems that Mg-nucleotide-ion channel interactions are involved to produce a regulatory response for RER chloride channels.

Effects of salinity on survival, growth, reproductive and life span characteristics of Artemia populations from Urmia Lake and neighboring lagoons

This study deals with effects of different salinities on the survival, growth, reproductive and lifespan characteristics of three Artemia populations from Urmia Lake and small lagoons at the vicinity of the lake under laboratory conditions. Experimental salinities ranged from 75 to 175 g L(-1). Salinity was proved to have significant impact on the majority of the characters studied in this survey. Growth and survival in bisexual A. urmiana and parthenogenetic Artemia from Lake Urmia were significantly higher with respect to the parthenogenetic Artemia from lagoons at most of the salinities tested. Reproductive characteristics such as total number of broods, total offspring number of offspring in each brood and number of offspring at each day of reproductive period reduced with increasing salinity. Moreover higher salinity prolonged the prereproductive period but shortened the total reproductive period. Higher salinities also affected the percentage of encystment and post-reproductive period, showing significantly higher values in parthenogenetic populations in comparison to bisexual A. urmiana.

Effect of mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) on resumption of meiosis, in vitro maturation and embryo development of immature mouse oocytes

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of MEHP on in vitro maturation of mouse oocytes and resulting embryo development. Denuded oocytes (DO) were cultured in maturation medium supplemented with 0, 50, 100, 200 and 400 microM levels of MEHP for 24 h. The matured oocytes then were fertilized and cultured for 4 days. The percentage of Germinal Vesicle (GV) stage oocytes were significantly higher in 200 and 400 microM MEHP treatment comparing to the control (P < 0.05). The proportion of oocytes that progressed to the metaphase II (MII) stage was significantly decreased by adding of MEHP in a dose related pattern. The 2-cell embryo formation was significantly decreased with 400 microM treatments than the control. Moreover with further culture in experimental groups none of the embryos comparing to that of the control group were developed to morulla stage (P < 0.05). These results indicate that MEHP could negatively modulate mouse oocyte meiotic maturation in vitro and embryo development, suggesting possible risks for human and other mammalians reproductive health.

ATP regulation of a large conductance voltage-gated cation channel in rough endoplasmic reticulum of rat hepatocytes

ATP-sensitive K+ channels play an important role in regulating membrane potential during metabolic stress. In this work we report the effect of ATP and ADP-Mg on a K+ channel present in the membrane of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) from rat hepatocytes incorporated into lipid bilayers. Channel activity was found to decrease in presence of ATP 100 microM on the cytoplasmic side and was totally inhibited at ATP concentrations greater than 0.25mM. The effect appeared voltage dependent, suggesting that the ATP binding site was becoming available upon channel opening. Channel activity was suppressed by the nonhydrolyzable ATP analog (ATPgammaS), ruling out a phosphorylation-based mechanism. Notably addition of 2.5mM ADP-Mg to the cytosolic side increased the channel open probability at negative potentials. We conclude that the large conductance voltage-gated cation channel in RER of rat hepatocytes is an ATP and ADP sensitive channel likely to be involved in cellular processes such as Ca(2+) signaling or control of membrane potential across the endoplasmic reticulum membrane.

Evidence for a large conductance voltage gated cationic channel in rough endoplasmic reticulum of rat hepatocytes

In this work, we report the single channel characterization of a voltage gated cationic channel from rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) membranes of rat hepatocytes incorporated into a planar lipid bilayer. The channel was found to be cation selective with a main conductance of 598+/-20 pS in 200 mM KCl cis/50 mM KCl trans. The channel open probability appeared voltage dependent with a voltage for half activation (V(1/2)) of 38 mV and an effective gating charge z of -6.66. Adding either 4-AP (5 mM) or ATP (2.5 mM) to the side corresponding to the cell internal medium caused a strong inhibition of the channel activity. This channel is likely to be involved in maintaining proper cation homeostasis in the RER of hepatocytes.

Involvement of nucleus accumbens in L-arginine-induced conditioned place preference in rats

In the present study, the effects of intraperitoneal, intra-accumbal and intra-ventral tegmental area administration of L-arginine and N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl-ester (L-NAME) on conditioned place preference behavior were studied. Intraperitoneal (i.p.; 0.5, 1 and 5 mg/kg) and intra-accumbal (intra-NAc; 0.3, 1 and 3 microg/rat), but not intra-ventral tegmental area (intra-VTA; 0.3, 1 and 3 microg/rat) administrations of L-arginine produced a significant place conditioning. Similar injections of L-NAME did not produce any response. However, intraperitoneal pretreatment of the animals with L-NAME (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg), 30 min before L-arginine administration, significantly abolished the acquisition of place conditioning induced by either intraperitoneal or intra-accumbal injection of L-arginine. Moreover, injection of L-NAME (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg) on the test day did not alter the L-arginine response. The results may indicate that L-arginine induces conditioned place preference via an increase in nitric oxide (NO) in the nucleus accumbens.

[Chromosomal studies of male infertility]

Prometaphase and metaphase chromosome analyses performed on 70 consecutive men with primary infertility (for a period of at least 2 years) revealed 8 (11.42%) men with some kind of chromosomal abnormality. The highest frequency of abnormal karyotypes (10%) was found among patients with azpospennia and the most frequent anomaly was 47, XXY chromosomal constitution, found in 6 (8.57%) patients. All the chromosomal aberrations found in this study was sex chromosomal type and we did not find any autosomal aberration. All patients with numerical chromosomal anomalies had azoospermia. The incidence of structural aberration in our study was 1.42%. Fifteen patients had different chromosomal variants (21.38%). We suggest that men with azoospermia should be considered for cytogenetic investigation and we report that "variants of the Y chromosome" have no influence on the sperm count (million/ml) and fertility of men.

Synthesis and calcium channel antagonist activity of nifedipine analogues with methylthioimidazole substituent

Various diester analogues of nifedipine, in which the orthonitrophenyl group at position 4 is replaced by 1-methyl-2-methylthio-5-imidazolyl substituent, were synthesized and evaluated as calcium channel antagonists on guinea-pig ileal smooth muscle. Nifedipine was used as standard. Comparison of the activities of symmetrical esters (3a-e) indicate that increasing the length of alkyl chain in C3 and C5 ester substituents increases the antagonist activity and the n-propyl ester being preferred (IC50= 2.66 x 10(-9) M). In asymmetrical series (6a-g), compound 6g having ethyl and n-butyl ester at C3 and C5 positions of basic dihydropyridine structure was found to be the most active (IC50= 1.32 x 10(-9) M).

Chromosomal studies in infertile men

Prometaphase and metaphase chromosome analyses performed on 70 consecutive men with primary infertility (for a period of at least 2 years) revealed 8 (11.42%) men with some kind of chromosomal abnormality. The highest frequency of abnormal karyotypes (10%) was found among patients with azoospermia and the most frequent anomaly was 47, XXY chromosomal constitution, found in 6 (8.57%) patients. All the chromosomal aberrations found in this study, was sex chromosomal type and we did not find any autosomal aberration. All patients with numerical chromosomal anomalies had azoospermia. The incidence of structural aberration in our study was 1.42%. 15 patients had different chromosomal variants (21.38%). We suggest that men with azoospermia should be considered for cytogenetic investigation and we report that "variants of the Y chromosome" have no influence on the sperm count (Million/ml) and fertility of men.

Quantification of C3 and C4 in infertile men with antisperm antibody in their seminal plasma

PROBLEM

Previous studies showed that some infertilities are caused by antisperm antibodies (ASAs). It was shown that some major complement (C) components are present in seminal fluid. Due to the role of C in the pathogenesis of ASAs, the existence and amount of two key C components (C3 and C4) were investigated in seminal plasma (SP).

METHOD OF STUDY

Single radial immunodiffusion assay and a sandwich-type enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used for C3 and/or C4 quantification, respectively, in serum and SP, and the tray agglutination test was used for ASA detection in 12 fertile and 53 infertile men (18 ASA-positive [ASA+] and 35 ASA-negative [ASA-] men).

RESULTS

Of the 18 ASA + infertile men, 61.11% had positive C3, whereas 27.77% showed positive C4 levels. ASA + infertile men showed significant differences in seminal plasma C3 mean values compared with ASA- infertile (P < 0.01) and fertile (P < 0.05) men, but the seminal plasma C4 values only showed differences compared with ASA- infertile men (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in serum C3 and/or C4 levels of ASA+ infertile men compared with other groups. No significant correlation was found between ASA titer and C3 and C4 levels in SP. A significant correlation existed between SP and serum C3 levels of ASA+ (r = 0.522, P < 0.01) and ASA- (r = 0.451, P < 0.01) infertile men, but no correlation was observed between C4 levels.

CONCLUSIONS

In the presence of ASAs, the C system has no definitive activity in blood serum or outside the male genital tract. In SP, and in association with ASAs, C has no lytic activity by the classical pathway. The excess of C3 in SP of ASA+ infertile men may participate in other C-mediated activities in the male reproductive tract.

Oral administration of pectin-rich plant extract enhances C3 and C4 complement concentration in woman colostrum

C3 and C4 components of the complement are normally present in human colostrum. These compounds are natural antibacterial agents. Pectin-rich plant extracts have been shown to induce prolactin release and milk synthesis when administered by the oral route in rat. In the present work, extract from a plant rich in pectin, Gossypium herbaceum was given orally to women 2 days after parturition. The extract enhanced concentration of C3 and C4 in colostrum but did not modify the total hemolytic complement activity (TCH50). No change in the concentration of the three compounds was observed in serum of the treated women. Control experiments showed that a treatment by placebo had no effect on colostrum composition. These data suggest that pectin-rich plant extracts favour transfer of C3 and C4 from blood to colostrum by an unknown mechanism. This observation suggests that some plant extracts might be used to reinforce the antibacterial activity of human colostrum.

Beta-glucan and pectin derivatives stimulate prolactin secretion from hypophysis in vitro

Previous work has shown that various plant extracts administered to animals stimulate milk protein synthesis through the secretion of prolactin. It has also been shown that beta-glucan and pectin are the active molecules capable of stimulating prolactin release in vivo after intravenous injections. In this work, it is shown that beta-glucan and several pectin derivatives are able to stimulate prolactin secretion from hypophysis fragments incubated for 2 hr in a synthetic medium.

[The effect of pregnant mare's serum on the level of K+ ions in the immature rat ovary]

Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin enhanced potassium level in immature rat ovaries in comparison with controls, three hours after intravenous injection. In vivo 42K uptake was also 36% higher (p less than or equal to 0,01) in PMSG primed rat ovaries. This response was specific to the ovary. Experiments are carried out to determine correlation between K+ level and macromolecule biosynthesis.