Expression of antioxidant defense and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 in rat developing Sertoli cells.

Sertoli cells play an essential role in the development of a functional testis. ROS (reactive oxygen species) are normally produced by the developing testicular cells and may be dangerous to spermatogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the developmental expression of genes involved in antioxidant defense as well as in the DNA damage response in rat Sertoli cells.

A rapid method for detecting DNA strand breaks in Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam. induced by genotoxic xenobiotic chemicals.

1. In this study, DNA from haemolymph cells of Mytilus galloprovincialis Lam., as well as from L1210 (murine leukemia) mouse cells was investigated utilizing the technique of the alkaline unwinding of the double stranded DNA molecule.

Biochemical characterization of the DNA polymerase activity present in isolated nuclei from mussel tissues: a possible system for the evaluation of the rate of DNA repair.

1. The nuclear DNA polymerase activity in mussel digestive glands was characterized regarding Mg++ requirement (2 mM), ATP concentration (4 mM), pH (8.4), and ionic strength (50 mM).

Mechanism of action of a new prostaglandin antihypertensive, viprostol [CL 115 347; (dl)-15-deoxy-16-hydroxy-16(alpha/beta)-vinyl-prostaglandin E2 methyl ester]: (I). Vasodilation.

Viprostol [(dl)-15-deoxy-16-hydroxy-16(alpha/beta)-vinyl-prostaglandin E2 methyl ester; CL 115 347], injected directly into coronary, renal, mesenteric, femoral and carotid arteries of the anaesthetized beagle dogs at doses which did not lower the systemic arterial blood pressure, increased blood flow of the vascular beds being studied. Viprostol was as potent as I-prostaglandin E2 (I-PGE2) in the renal bed, but less potent in the other vascular beds. Viprostol was as potent as I-PGE2 in relaxing smooth muscle of the perfused isolated central ear artery of the rabbit.

Mechanism of action of a new prostaglandin antihypertensive, viprostol [CL 115 347; (dl)-15-deoxy-16-hydroxy-16(alpha/beta)-vinyl-prostaglandin E2 methyl ester]: (II). Effects on the adrenergic nervous system.

Viprostol [(dl)-15-deoxy-16-hydroxy-16(alpha/beta)-vinyl-prostaglandin E2 methyl ester; CL 115 347] is a new orally and transdermally active antihypertensive agent that exerts its major antihypertensive action by vasodilation. The present studies were conducted to examine its effects on the adrenergic nervous system. In cats, viprostol did not inhibit renal sympathetic nerve discharge (RSND) monitored at the postganglionic region, indicating that nerve transmission or conduction was not blocked at the ganglion or the pre- or postganglionic fibres.