甲苯咪唑杀广州管圆线虫成虫的效果观察

目的观察甲苯咪唑对广州管圆线虫成虫的杀灭效果。方法用广州管圆线虫感染大鼠70d后，将其分为3组：1）甲苯咪唑组：用灌胃的方法给予甲苯咪唑50mg／kg，1次／d，连续2d；2）吡喹酮＋甲苯咪唑组：第1d灌服吡喹酮1次，剂量为300mg／kg；第4d和第5d灌服甲苯咪唑，给药剂量和次数同甲苯咪唑组；3）对照组：灌胃生理盐水。给药结束后第6d分别剖杀实验大鼠，分离、记数、观察广州管圃线虫成虫。结果甲苯咪唑组的减虫率为28．32％，虫荷数与对照组比较差异有显著性（P=0．0445）；吡喹酮＋甲苯咪唑组与甲苯咪唑组比较，减虫率差异无显著性（P=0．999）。结论甲苯咪唑对广州管圆线虫成虫有效，但杀灭效果较差。吡喹酮和甲苯咪唑联用对广州管圆线虫成虫无明显协同杀灭效应。     

老年患者不同剂量右美托咪啶对丙泊酚靶控效应的影响

目的探讨老年患者使用不同剂量右美托咪啶对丙泊酚靶控效应的影响。方法选择择期全麻患者60例,随机分为4组（n=15）,生理盐水对照组（C组）,右美托咪啶0．2μg／kg组（D1组）、0．4μg/kg组（D2组）、0．6μg/kg组（D3组）。于麻醉诱导前10min静脉泵注,以2．0μg/ml初始血浆靶控浓度开始丙泊酚诱导,待效应室浓度稳定后每隔0．5min增加0．2μg/ml,记录脑电双频指数（BIS）值降至45时的丙泊酚用量和所需时间,记录入室用药前,泵注右美托咪啶后即麻醉诱导前（T1）、麻醉诱导后5min（T2）、10min（T3）、15min（T4）、20min（T5）时的心率（HR）、平均动脉压（MAP）值。结果在HR、MAP变化方面,在T1～T5各时间点,D1、D2组与C组相比差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;D3组均较C组低（P〈0．05）。在BIS降至45时丙泊酚效应室浓度、BIS降至45时所需时间、丙泊酚使用量方面,D1组与C组比较差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）;D2、D3组与C组比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论在老年患者麻醉诱导前单次静脉注射右美托咪啶的适宜剂量是0．4μg／kg。     

丙磺舒含量测定方法的改进

目的建立高效液相色谱法测定丙磺舒含量的方法。方法色谱柱为Agilent Eclipse XDB-C8柱（4．6mm×250mm,5μm）,流动相为甲醇-水（75：25）,流速1．0mL／min,检测波长245nm,进量样20μL,柱温为室温。结果丙磺舒在10．0-400．0μg,／mL浓度范围内,线性关系良好（r=0．9999）,平均回收率98．9％,RSD为1．4％。绪论本法简便、准确、重现性好,可用于丙磺舒的质量控制。     

白细胞介素1β和干扰素γ对小鼠胰岛素瘤βTC-6细胞胰岛素分泌功能的影响

目的探讨炎性细胞因子白细胞介素1β（IL-1β）、干扰素γ（IFN-γ）对小鼠胰岛β细胞株βTC-6胰岛素分泌功能的影响。方法将βTC-6细胞培养于高糖DMEM培养基,48h后换用无糖KRBH缓冲液培养30min,分别于含0、1．38、5．50和11．10mmol／L葡萄糖的KRBH缓冲液中孵育60min,放射免疫法检测细胞上清液中胰岛素水平（GSIS）。在BTC-6细胞中分别加入不同浓度的IL-1β（0．15、1．50μg／L）和（或）IFN-γ（10、100U／m1）,24h后换用无糖KRBH缓冲液培养30min,在含1．38mmol／L葡萄糖的KRBH缓冲液中孵育60min,放射免疫法检测细胞上清液中胰岛素水平。多组间数据比较采用单因素方差分析,两组间数据比较采用t检验。结果βTC-6细胞在1．38mmol／L葡萄糖刺激时胰岛素分泌达高峰,与无葡萄糖刺激时相比差异有统计学意义[（151±14）对（120±4）mU／L,t=-4．215,P=0．006];5．50、11．10mmol／L葡萄糖刺激时胰岛素分泌较1．38mmol／L葡萄糖刺激时明显下降（均P〈0．05）。与单纯1．38mmol／L葡萄糖刺激组相比,IL-1β（0．15μg／L）组[（85．53±5．06）mU／L对（103．11±0．27）mU／L,t=4．897,P=0．039]、IL-1β（1．50μg／L）组[（62．62±0．64）mU／L对（103．11±0．27）mU／L,t=212．66,P〈0．001]葡萄糖刺激下胰岛素分泌水平显著下降,下降程度与IL-1β的剂量呈正相关;与单纯葡萄糖刺激组相比,IFN-γ（100U／m1）组葡萄糖刺激下胰岛素分泌显著下降[（73．2±1．6）对（105．2±1．8）mU／L,t=19．52,P：0．003];与IL-1β（0．15μg／L）组及IFN-γ（100U／m1）组相比,IL-1β联合IFN-γ组葡萄糖刺激下胰岛素分泌显著下降（F=77．38,P〈0．001）。结论IL-1β和IFN-γ对13TC-6细胞的胰岛素分泌功能有抑制作用,且两者间具有协同效应。     

血液学指标对复发脑梗死的诊疗价值

目的探讨血液学指标对预测脑梗死复发的价值,为缺血性脑血管病的二级预防开辟新的思路。方法将200例急性脑梗死患者根据头颅MRI结果分为首发性脑梗死组（FIS）109例,复发性脑梗死组（RIS）91例。记录其复发的危险因素,如年龄、吸烟、高血压、糖尿病、高脂血症等,同时于发病72h内测定d-二聚体、蛋白S、蛋白C、抗凝血酶Ⅲ、血栓调节蛋白（TM）、组织型纤溶酶原激活物（t—PA）、组织型纤溶酶原激活物抑制物、同型半胱氨酸（Hcy）以及抗心磷脂抗体等9项血液学指标。结果①RIS组患者平均年龄为（59±9）岁,FIS组患者为（56±10）岁;RIS组患者合并高血压的比率（83．5％）明显高于FIS组（71．6％）。②与FIS组患者相比,RIS组患者血液学指标紊乱严重,9项中有6项表现出明显的差异：蛋白s在RIS和FIS组分别为（23±7）μg/ml、（25±6）μg/ml,P=0．002;蛋白C在RIS和FIS组分别为（4．5±1．5）μg/ml、（4．9±1．7）μg/ml,P=0．05,显示蛋白S和蛋白C在RIS组降低。RIS组TM增高[（30±13）μg/L、（26±7）μg/L,P=0．01];RIS组t—PA较FIS组增多[（7．6±3．0）斗μg/L、（6．7±2．6）μg/L,P=0．025]。RIS组患者血浆Hcy浓度[（23±10）μmol／L]较FIS组[（17±6）μmol／L]升高,P〈0．01。RIS组患者抗心磷脂抗体IgG（ACAIgG）阳性的比例比FIS组高（18．7％、5．5％,P=0．004）。③多因素Logistic回归分析显示,高血压（OR=2．050;95％CI：1．53～6．53）、高龄（OR=1．025;95％CI：1．00～1．05）、蛋白C降低（OR=0．692;95％CI=0．54～0．88）、高同型半胱氨酸血症（OR=1．074;95％CI：1．03～1．12）以及抗心磷脂抗体IgG阳性（OR=3．426;95％CI：1．19～9．84）是预测脑梗死复发的独立危险因素。结论血液学指标失衡可增加脑梗死复发风险,定期检测血液学相关指标有助于早期预测脑梗死的复发。     

双心房输注在并发肺动脉高压的复杂性先天性心脏病患儿手术中的应用评价

目的：评估双心房输注对并发肺动脉高压的复杂性先天性心脏病患儿（复杂先心病）术后血流动力学的影响。方法：择期行复杂先心病矫治术的患儿46例,年龄6月一5岁,体质量5～19kg,心功能分级Ⅱ或Ⅲ级,随机分为两组（每组n=23）：双心房输注组（经左房泵入具有血管收缩作用的正性肌力药,从右房或肺动脉泵入血管扩张药物）和右心房输注组（直接经右房泵入具有血管收缩作用的正性肌力药和血管扩张药物）。腔静脉开放后常规给予血管活性药物,双心房输注组经中心静脉输注米力农0．5～0．75μg／（kg·min）,经左心房输注多巴胺5～lOμg/（kg·min）、肾上腺素0．03～0．1μg／（kg·min）。右心房输注组经中心静脉输注米力农0．5-0．75μg／（kg·rain）、多巴胺5-10μg/（kg·min）、肾上腺素0．03～0．1μg／（kg·min）。分别于给药前5min（TO）、给药后5min（T1）、10min（T2）、30rain（耶）和60min（T4）时记录平均动脉压（MAP）、HR、平均肺动脉压（MPAP）、左心房压（LAP）、中心静脉压（CVP）和心排出量（CO）,计算肺血管阻力指数（PVRI）、体循环血管阻力指数（SVRI）和心指数（cI）。结果：与11D时比较,双心房输注组T1一T4时MAP、CI和SVRI升高,HR、MPAP、T｜AP、CVP和PVRI降低（均P〈0．05）;右心房输注组T1～T4时MAP、MPAP、LAP和PVRI降低,cI升高（均P〈0．05）,HR、CVP和SVRI差异无统计学意义。与右心房输注组比较,双心房输注组MAP、CI和SVRI升高,HR、MPAP、LAP、PVRI和CVP降低（均P〈0．05）。结论：双心房输注可改善复杂先心病患者矫治术后左心排血功能,降低肺动脉压和肺循环血管阻力。     

积雪草酸对糖尿病大鼠肾脏氧化应激及细胞凋亡的影响

目的探讨积雪草酸对链脲佐菌素诱导的糖尿病大鼠肾脏氧化应激及细胞凋亡的影响。方法29只清洁级健康雄性sD大鼠（体质量170～210g,2～3月龄）腹腔注射65μg／g链脲佐菌素,建模成功后将存活的24只大鼠按数字表法随机分至糖尿病组（n=6）、10μg·g^-1·d^-1。积雪草酸组（n=6）、20μg·g^-1·d^-1积雪草酸组（n=6）、40μg·g^-1·d^-1积雪草酸组（n=6）。另以6只健康SD大鼠为正常对照组。干预8周后观察各组大鼠尿白蛋白排泄率、血糖、血尿素氮、血肌酐变化;检测。肾皮质中超氧化物歧化酶、丙二醛水平;采用原位末端标记法检测肾脏细胞凋亡情况,免疫组织化学法检测肾脏聚ADP-核糖多聚酶表达水平,Westernblot法检测半胱氨酸蛋白酶3表达水平。应用单因素方差分析和LSD法进行数据统计。结果与正常对照组相比,糖尿病组大鼠尿白蛋白排泄率、血糖、血尿素氮、血肌酐显著升高,肾皮质超氧化物歧化酶活性显著下降,丙二醛含量显著升高,肾脏细胞凋亡率、聚ADP-核糖多聚酶表达和半胱氨酸蛋白酶3蛋白表达水平显著升高（分别为31．0％±5．5％VS5．0％±1．2％、3．9±0．5VS1．7±0．6、1．7±0．4vs0．4±0．3,t值分别为0．84、7．45、6．14,均P〈0．01）。与糖尿病组相比,3个积雪草酸干预组尿白蛋白排泄率、血尿素氮、血肌酐明显降低,超氧化物歧化酶活性明显上升,丙二醛含量明显下降,。肾脏细胞凋亡率明显减少（糖尿病组为31．0％±5．5％,10μg·g^-1·d^-1积雪草酸组为20．6％±4．7％,20μg·g^-1·d^-1积雪草酸组为15．8％±2．6％,40μg·g^-1·d^-1积雪草酸组为10．3％±3．3％）,聚ADP-核糖多聚酶表达明显下调（糖尿病组为3．9±0．5,10μg·g^-1·d^-1积雪草酸组为3．0±0．2,20μg·g^-1·d^-1积雪草酸组为2．6±0．4,40μg·g^-1·d^-1积雪草酸组为2．0±0．3）,半胱氨酸蛋白酶3蛋白表达下调（糖尿病组为1．7±0．3,10μg·g^-1·d^-1积雪草酸组为1．0±0．2,20μg·g^-1·d^-1积雪草酸组为0．7±0．2,40μg·g^-1·d^-1积雪草酸组为0．5±0．3）。结论积雪草酸对链脲佐菌素诱导的糖尿病大鼠肾脏病变有一定保护作用,其机制可能与氧化应激反应和细胞凋亡被抑制有关。     

冠心病患者颈动脉斑块与碱性成纤维细胞生长因子的关系

目的：探讨老年冠心病患者颈动脉粥样硬化斑块与碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（bFGF）的关系和临床意义。方法：bFGF测定采用酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）法。结果：bFGF含量：正常对照组（30例）为（247．82士9．45）μg／ml。硬斑组（89例）为（280．74土12．70）μg／ml，较正常对照组显著增加（P〈0．05）；软斑组（39例）为（317．16±13．42）μg／ml，混合斑块组（25例）为（340．84±11.76μg／m1），较正常对照组均显著增加（P〈0．05）；颈动脉粥样硬化斑块I型（38例）为（250．31±11．60）μg／ml。Ⅱ型（80例）为（270．11±13．12）μg／ml，Ⅲ型（10例）为（350．12±14．30）μg／ml，Ⅱ、Ⅲ型的bFGF水平较正常对照组非常显著增加（P均〈0．01）。结论：bFGF水平反映老年冠心病的颈动脉粥样硬化程度，有一定参考价值。     

氯吡格雷抑制急性冠状动脉综合征患者血小板释放可溶性CD40配体

目的探讨在非ST段抬高急性冠状动脉综合征（non—ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes，NSTEACS）患者短期应用氯吡格雷是否有抑制ADP诱导血小板释放可溶性CD40配体（sCD40L）的作用。方法NSTEACS42例，患者服用氯吡格雷6—8d，治疗前后采静脉血。提取富含血小板血浆（platelet rich plasma，PRP）并用二磷腺苷诱导血小板聚集和释放sCD40L，在不同时间点终止反应，用酶联免疫法测量sCD40L浓度，进行自身前后对照。结果治疗前后血浆sCD40L分别为（0．20±0．16）μg／L和（0．19±0．18）μg/L（P〉0．05）；治疗前后PRP受ADP诱导后20min释放的sCD40L浓度分别为（4．3±2．5）μg／L和（2.8±1．9）μg／L（P〈0．001），诱导后40min释放的sCD40L浓度分别为（5．3±3．1）μg／L和（2．9±1．6）μg／L（P〈0．001）。结论短期应用氯吡格雷可能对非sT段抬高急性冠状动脉综合征患者血小板炎症因子sCD40L释放具有抑制作用，提示氯吡格雷很可能具有抗炎效应．     

BACTEC系统对依赖利福平结核分支杆菌生长与耐药性的分析

目的：探讨依赖利福平结构分支杆菌（依R菌）在BACTEC系统中的生长特征，以便用该系统鉴定依R菌。方法：选取L－J法初步鉴定的依R菌，制成菌液（10^-4mg/ml）分别以0．1ml接种于含不同利福平（R）浓度（1－384μg/ml）的7H－12液体培养基中培养，用BACTEC法测定不同实验瓶生长指数（GJ），判断耐药性，并对培养物称重及进行形态（抗酸染色）观察。结果：（1）耐药性，依R菌在R1－96μg/ml10个浓度中均耐药，R192μg/ml临界，384μg/ml敏感。（2）菌体重量，R6、8、10、12、24μg/ml各瓶细菌重量（分别为87、125、116、104、65mg）明显高于对照瓶（35mg），重量比为1．9－3．6，平均2．9，其余各耐药瓶与对照瓶无明显差别。（3）培养物涂片抗酸染色，可见各R瓶内结核分支杆菌菌体比对照瓶粗大、染色质深、染色颗粒明显，以R8μg/ml瓶最为典型。结论：依R菌在含R（6－24μg/ml)环境中生长旺感，在无R环境中生长不良。     

Three layer functional model and energy exchange concept of aging process

Relying on a certain degree of abstraction, we can propose that no particular distinction exists between animate or living matter and inanimate matter. While focusing attention on some specifics, the dividing line between the two can be drawn. The most apparent distinction is in the level of structural and functional organization with the dissimilar streams of ‘energy flow’ between the observed entity and the surrounding environment. In essence, living matter is created from inanimate matter which is organized to contain internal intense energy processes and maintain lower intensity energy exchange processes with the environment. Taking internal and external energy processes into account, we contend in this paper that living matter can be referred to as matter of dissipative structure, with this structure assumed to be a common quality of all living creatures and living matter in general. Interruption of internal energy conversion processes and terminating the controlled energy exchange with the environment leads to degeneration of dissipative structure and reduction of the same to inanimate matter, (gas, liquid and/or solid inanimate substances), and ultimately what can be called ‘death.’ This concept of what we call dissipative nature can be extended from living organisms to social groups of animals, to mankind. An analogy based on the organization of matter provides a basis for a functional model of living entities. The models relies on the parallels among the three central structures of any cell (nucleus, cytoplasm and outer membrane) and the human body (central organs, body fluids along with the connective tissues, and external skin integument). This three-part structural organization may be observed almost universally in nature. It can be observed from the atomic structure to the planetary and intergalactic organizations. This similarity is corroborated by the membrane theory applied to living organisms. According to the energy nature of living matter and the proposed functional model, the decreased integrity of a human body's external envelope membrane is a first cause of the structural degradation and aging of the entire organism. The aging process than progresses externally to internally, as in single cell organisms, suggesting that much of the efforts towards the restoration and maintenance of the mechanisms responsible for structural development should be focused accordingly, on the membrane, i.e., the skin. Numerous reports indicate that all parts of the human body, like: bones, blood with blood vessels, muscles, skin, and so on, have some ability for restoration. Therefore, actual revival of not only aging tissue of the human body's membrane, but the entire human body enclosed within, with all internal organs, might be expected. We assess several aging theories within the context of our model and provide suggestions on how to activate the body's own anti-aging mechanisms and increase longevity. This paper presents some analogies and some distinctions that exist between the living dissipative structure matter and inanimate matter, discusses the aging process and proposes certain aging reversal solutions.     

Unusual responses of nocturnal pineal melatonin synthesis and secretion to swimming: Attempts to define mechanisms

Abstract: The effect of swimming at night on rat pineal melatonin synthesis was compared with that of light exposure at night. Rats were forced to swim at 0030 hr (lights out at 2000 hr) and sacrificed by decapitation 15 and 30 min later, immediately after swimming. Other groups of animals were exposed to white light (650μW/cm²) for 15 and 30 min at same time. Swimming caused a rapid and highly significant drop in the melatonin content in the pineal gland; however, the activity of N-acetyltransferase (NAT), the supposed rate limiting enzyme in the melatonin production, was not changed. Despite the drop in pineal melatonin levels, serum concentrations of the indole remained elevated in the rats that swam. In contrast, melatonin levels in the pineal and serum of light exposed rats fell precipitously, accompanied by a significant suppression of NAT activity. Since we anticipated that the strenuous exercise associated with swimming may induce release of artrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) from the heart, which in turn could cause the release of pineal melatonin, in a second study we injected physiological saline intravenously to stretch the cardiac muscle and release ANP. Three milliliters of normal saline was injected during the day into the jugular vein of anesthetized rats that were pretreated with isoproterenol to stimulate pineal melatonin production. Animals were killed 15 min after the saline injection, and pineal NAT activity and pineal melatonin levels were measured. The saline injections caused no alteration in the elevated levels of either NAT or melatonin. These data suggest that the disparity in pineal NAT activity (which was high) and pineal melatonin (which was low), in animals swum at night, may not be caused by ANP which is released during strenuous exercise such as swimming.     

Melatonin and photoperiodic time measurement: Seasonal breeding in the sheep

Abstract: Well-established circadian physiology supports the view that photoperiodic time measurement utilizes the coincidence between the presence of light and a photosensitive phase of a 'biological clock' to alter reproductive status—the so-called external coincidence model of seasonal breeding. In this review, we examine the mechanism whereby photoperiod interacts with presumed suprachiasmatic nuclei activity to allow endogenous melatonin to normally synchronize reproductive activity to the optimal time of year. The Romney Marsh sheep is particularly explored as an experimental model. It is suggested that the on/off activity of seasonal reproduction may be a robust mechanism able to be predictably manipulated by the judicious use of the light/dark cycle and exogenous melatonin, but firmly based on circadian principles.     

Serological survey of HIV and syphilis in pregnant women in Madagascar

Objectives Peripartal transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Treponema pallidum, the causative agent of syphilis, leads to severe consequences for newborns. Preventive measures require awareness of the maternal infection. Although HIV and syphilis testing in Madagascar could be theoretically carried out within the framework of the national pregnancy follow‐up scheme, the required test kits are rarely available at peripheral health centres. In this study, we screened blood samples of pregnant Madagascan women for HIV and syphilis seroprevalence to estimate the demand for systemic screening in pregnancy. Methods Retrospective anonymous serological analysis for HIV and syphilis was performed in plasma samples from 1232 pregnant women that were taken between May and July 2010 in Ambositra, Ifanadiana, Manakara, Mananjary, Moramanga and Tsiroanomandidy (Madagascar) during pregnancy follow‐up. Screening was based on Treponema pallidum haemagglutination tests for syphilis and rapid tests for HIV, with confirmation of positive screening results on line assays. Results Out of 1232 pregnant women, none were seropositive for HIV and 37 (3%) were seropositive for Treponema pallidum. Conclusions Our findings are in line with previous studies that describe considerable syphilis prevalence in the rural Madagascan population. The results suggest a need for screening to prevent peripartal Treponema pallidum transmission, while HIV is still rare. If they are known, Treponema pallidum infections can be easily, safely and inexpensively treated even in pregnancy to reduce the risk of transmission.     

Variabilité des concentrations plasmatiques de l’angiotensinogène et risque d’hypertension artérielle chez le rat transgénique

Aim

Genetic polymorphisms of the human angiotensinogen gene are frequent and may induce up to 30% increase of plasma angiotensinogen concentrations with a blood pressure increase of up to 5 mmHg. Their role for the pathogenesis of human arterial hypertension remains unclear. High plasma angiotensinogen levels could increase the sensitivity to other blood pressure stressors.

Methods

Male transgenic rats with a 9-fold increase of plasma angiotensinogen concentrations and male non-transgenic rats aged 10 weeks were treated or not with NG-Nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester for 3 weeks in their drinking water (n = 3/group). Systolic blood pressure and body weight were measured at baseline and at the end of the study when left ventricular weight and ventricular expression of angiotensin I-converting enzyme and procollagen Iα1 were determined (polymerase chain reaction).

Results

At baseline, transgenic rats had +18 mmHg higher bood pressure and –8% lower body weight compared to non-transgenic rats (P < 0.05) without significant changes for the vehicle groups throughout the study (P > 0.05). NG-Nitro-L-arginine-methyl ester increased blood pressure, left ventricular weight and left ventricular weight indexed for body weight by +41%, +17.6% and +18.6% (P < 0.05) in transgenic and +25%, +5.3% and +6.7% (P > 0.05) in non-transgenic rats compared to untreated animals, respectively. Cardiac gene expression showed no differences between groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Increased plasma angiotensinogen levels may sensitize to additional blood pressure stressors. Our preliminary results point towards an independent role of angiotensinogen in the pathogenesis of human hypertension and associated end-organ damage.     

Morphological and immunocytochemical heterogeneity of cultured pinealocytes from one-week-and two-month-old rats: Planimetric and densitometric investigations

Abstract: In vitro preparations of rat pinealocytes are widely used for biochemical analyses of signal transduction processes. This paper deals with morphological and immunocytochemical features of such preparations. Special attention was paid to the problems of whether pinealocytes represent a heterogeneous cell population and how such heterogeneity may develop during ontogeny. The investigations were performed with cells which were obtained from the pineal organ of one-week-and two-month-old rats, attached to synthetic peptide-coated coverslips or tissue culture chamber slides, and maintained under in vitro conditions overnight. The attached cells were then fixed with paraformaldehyde. These preparations yielded monolayers of spherical cells of different sizes; most cells were isolated, but some of them were aggregated and formed small clusters. On the average, the cells from the one-week-old animals were smaller than the cells from the two-month-old animals. Immunocytochemical demonstration of S-antigen, a pinealocyte-specific marker, showed that the majority of the cells from two-month-old animals were intensely or moderately labelled. Pinealocytes from one-week-old animals were less S-antigen immunoreactive. Only very few cells (less than 1% displayed glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunoreactivity. Planimetric investigations of the cell size and semiquantitative densitometric investigations of the intensity of the S-antigen immunoreaction revealed that (i) pinealocytes kept in vitro form a heterogeneous cell population, and that (ii) this heterogeneity increases during postnatal development from one-week-old to two-month-old animals. Two groups of pinealocytes can be distinguished based on their developmental fate: pinealocytes of one group grow dramatically, but show only a moderate increase in S-antigen immunoreactivity, and pinealocytes of the other group retain their size, but display a distinct increment in S-antigen immunoreacti vitv.     

Effects of pinealectomy and melatonin administration on certain indices of ovarian hyperplasia and/or hypertrophy in rats with both ovaries intact or after unilateral ovariectomy

Abstract: In earlier studies from other laboratories it was shown that melatonin decreased ovarian weight in rats and inhibited compensatory hypertrophy of the remaining ovary after unilateral ovariectomy. This study was designed to examine the influence of melatonin on certain indices of ovarian hyperplasia and/or hypertrophy in adult female rats with both ovaries preserved and with either an intact pineal gland or with the pineal gland removed (pinealectomy, PX) or, finally, in sham-PX animals. Similar studies were conducted on rats after unilateral ovariectomy, referring the examined parameters to the remaining intact ovary. The studies included mitotic activity of granulosa layer cells and corpus luteum cells, ovarian weight, ovarian cross-sectional area, cross-sectional area of the granulosa layer of all the Graafian follicles and the cross-sectional areas of the corpora lutea, visible on the ovarian cross-section. On the basis of results, we conclude that: 1) the effect of PX on the processes of ovarian hyperplasia and hypertrophy may vary; analogously, exogenous melatonin administration may influence ovarian hyperplasia and hypertrophy in different ways; 2) PX and exogenous melatonin may, under certain conditions, exert similar biological effects, even synergistic effects; 3) melatonin inhibits ovarian growth processes, while the effects of PX are variable; 4) the results indicate that in experiments performed on rats, with the use of two control groups, i.e., intact and sham-PX, melatonin effects on these two groups may differ.