Extragonadal function of follicle-stimulating hormone: Evidence for a role in endothelial physiology and dysfunction.

Aims: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) plays a fundamental role in reproduction stimulating ovarian folliculogenesis, Sertoli cells function and spermatogenesis. However, the recent identification of FSH receptor (FSHR) also in extra-gonadal tissues has suggested that FSH activity may not be limited only to fertility regulation, with conflicting results on the possible role of FSH in endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to investigate FSH role on endothelial function in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs).

Measuring Connexin Hemichannel Opening in Response to an InsP3-Mediated Cytosolic Ca Increase.

The opening of connexin hemichannels (HCs) expressed at the plasma membrane of mammalian cells is regulated by a number of physiological parameters, including extracellular and intracellular Ca ions. Submicromolar variations of the cytosolic Ca concentration ([Ca]) are per se sufficient to trigger extracellular bursts of messenger molecules through connexin HCs, thus mediating paracrine signaling. In this chapter, we present a quantitative method to measure the opening dynamics of connexin HCs expressed in a single HeLa cell upon stimulation by a canonical InsP3-mediated [Ca] transient.

Structures of wild-type and selected CMT1X mutant connexin 32 gap junction channels and hemichannels.

In myelinating Schwann cells, connection between myelin layers is mediated by gap junction channels (GJCs) formed by docked connexin 32 (Cx32) hemichannels (HCs). Mutations in Cx32 cause the X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT1X), a degenerative neuropathy without a cure. A molecular link between Cx32 dysfunction and CMT1X pathogenesis is still missing.

Structure of the connexin-43 gap junction channel in a putative closed state.

Gap junction channels (GJCs) mediate intercellular communication by connecting two neighbouring cells and enabling direct exchange of ions and small molecules. Cell coupling via connexin-43 (Cx43) GJCs is important in a wide range of cellular processes in health and disease (Churko and Laird, 2013; Liang et al., 2020; Poelzing and Rosenbaum, 2004), yet the structural basis of Cx43 function and regulation has not been determined until now.

In vitro effects of eslicarbazepine (S-licarbazepine) as a potential precision therapy on SCN8A variants causing neuropsychiatric disorders.

Background And Purpose: Variants in SCN8A, the Na 1.6 channel's coding gene, are characterized by a variety of symptoms, including intractable epileptic seizures, psychomotor delay, progressive cognitive decline, autistic features, ataxia or dystonia. Standard anticonvulsant treatment has a limited impact on the course of disease.

High-fructose corn syrup consumption in adolescent rats causes bipolar-like behavioural phenotype with hyperexcitability in hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapses.

Background And Purpose: Children and adolescents are the top consumers of high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) sweetened beverages. Even though the cardiometabolic consequences of HFCS consumption in adolescents are well known, the neuropsychiatric consequences have yet to be determined.

Experimental Approach: Adolescent rats were fed for a month with 11% weight/volume carbohydrate containing HFCS solution, which is similar to the sugar-sweetened beverages of human consumption.

Vitamin B12 protects against DNA damage induced by hydrochlorothiazide.

DNA damage induced by hydrochlorothiazide was previously reported in cultured human lymphocytes. In this study, we aimed to investigate the harmful effects of hydrochlorothiazide on DNA by measuring the spontaneous frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in cultured human lymphocytes. We also aimed to investigate the possible protection of that damage by vitamin B12.