The Influence of Plant Isoflavones Daidzein and Equol on Female Reproductive Processes.

In this review, we explore the current literature on the influence of the plant isoflavone daidzein and its metabolite equol on animal and human physiological processes, with an emphasis on female reproduction including ovarian functions (the ovarian cycle; follicullo- and oogenesis), fundamental ovarian-cell functions (viability, proliferation, and apoptosis), the pituitary and ovarian endocrine regulators of these functions, and the possible intracellular mechanisms of daidzein action. Furthermore, we discuss the applicability of daidzein for the control of animal and human female reproductive processes, and how to make this application more efficient. The existing literature demonstrates the influence of daidzein and its metabolite equol on various nonreproductive and reproductive processes and their disorders.

Neuropeptide Y directly affects ovarian cell proliferation and apoptosis.

The effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY; 0, 10, 100 and 1000 ng/mL) on the expression of PCNA, bax and p53 were examined by immunocytochemistry in porcine luteinized granulosa cells. NPY inhibited proliferation as well as promoted apoptosis and accumulation of p53 in the cells. This is the first report to demonstrate the direct action of NPY on ovarian cell proliferation and apoptosis.

Interrelationships between sirtuin 1 and transcription factors p53 and NF-κB (p50/p65) in the control of ovarian cell apoptosis and proliferation.

The roles of the mTOR system enzyme sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), the transcription factor p53 and the nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) and their interrelationships in the control of ovarian function have not been well studied. We examine, in vitro, the involvement of SIRT1, p53 and the p65 and p50 subunits of NFκB and their interrelationships in the control of the apoptosis and proliferation of porcine ovarian granulosa cells. Monolayers of primary granulosa cells were transfected with cDNA constructs encoding SIRT1, p53, p65 or p50 alone or were co-transfected with gene constructs for SIRT1 together with p53, p65 or p50.

The involvement of SIRT1 and transcription factor NF-κB (p50/p65) in regulation of porcine ovarian cell function.

The role of either mTOR system/enzyme sirtuin1 (SIRT1) or transcription factor NF-κB in the direct control of ovarian function has not been estabished. The aim of our in vitro experiments was to examine the involvement of SIRT1 and the p65 and p50 subunits of NFκB in control of porcine ovarian granulosa cell functions and the interrelationships between SIRT1, NFκB (p65, p50) 30 and FSH in the ovary. Monolayers of primary granulosa cells were transfected with gene constructs encoding either SIRT1 or p65 and p50, and thereafter cultured with, or without, addition of FSH.

Evaluation of cytotoxic, oxidative stress, proinflammatory and genotoxic effect of silver nanoparticles in human lung epithelial cells.

Silver nanoparticles are increasingly used in various products, due to their antibacterial properties. Despite its wide spread use, only little information on possible adverse health effects exists. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the toxic potential of silver nanoparticles (<100 nm) in human lung epithelial (A549) cells and the underlying mechanism of its cellular toxicity.