MPA increases idarubicin-induced apoptosis in chronic lymphatic leukaemia cells via caspase-3.

The caspase family of protease is speculated to have a crucial role in apoptosis. The effect of treatment with Idarubicin (IDA) and Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), used alone or in combination, on the activation of Caspase-3 in canine Chronic Lymphatic Leukaemia (CLL) cells was investigated, in order to clarify the mechanism of chemo- and hormone-therapy mediated apoptosis. Caspase activity was determined by a quantitative fluorimetric assay.

Hydrocortisone has a protective effect on CyclosporinA-induced cardiotoxicity.

CyclosporinA (CsA) is an immunosuppressive drug which induces severe adverse effects such as cardiotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. In several therapeutic protocols CsA is used in association with corticosteroids to obtain better therapeutic results. Recently, our studies showed that CsA increases blood pressure while inhibit Nitric Oxide (NO) production in vivo.

GnRH and steroids in cancer.

Gonadotropin-releasing-hormone (GnRH) analogues are synthetic compounds derived from decapeptide neurohormones (LHRH; LH/FSH-RH). They have a key role in hormone dependent cancer, particularly breast and prostate cancer. GnRH analogues produce an efficient inhibition of gonadotropins and sex steroid hormones.

Direct effect of a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist on the growth of canine mammary tumour cells.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist exert "in vivo" an inhibitory action on the growth of hormone-dependent canine mammary tumours (Lombardi et al. [1999] J. Vet.