Counteractive Effects of Copper Nanoparticles and Betacellulin on Ovarian Cells.

Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) are known to affect many ovarian cell functions. CuNPs, prepared using a chemical reduction method, were fully characterized by different means (TEM, DLS, XRD, Z potential, XPS, and AES). The resulting colloidal suspension contained needle-like CuNPs aggregates made of a core of metallic copper and an oxidized surface of CuO and CuO.

The Toxic Effect of Toluene on Ovarian Cells Can Be Prevented by the MicroRNA miR-152.

The potential of microRNAs to protect the female reproductive system from the toxic influence of oil-related environmental contaminants has not yet been examined. The aim of the present study was to examine the ability of the microRNA miR-152 to prevent the toxic effects of toluene on ovarian cells. Porcine ovarian granulosa cells transfected or not transfected with miR-152 mimics were cultured with or without toluene (0, 10 and 100 ng/ml).

Interplay Between the MicroRNA miR-152 and Quercetin in the Control of Ovarian Granulosa Cell Functions.

In the present study, we examined the functional interrelationships between microRNAs and plant polyphenols in the regulation of ovarian cell functions. For this purpose, we compared the basic functions of porcine ovarian granulosa cells with or without transfection with miR-152 mimics that were cultured with or without quercetin. The expression levels of miR-152, cell viability, cell proliferation (accumulation of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, PCNA), apoptosis (accumulation of Bax) and the release of progesterone, estradiol, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) were analyzed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‒qPCR), the Trypan blue exclusion test, quantitative immunocytochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).

Apigenin as a Promising Agent for Enhancing Female Reproductive Function and Treating Associated Disorders.

Apigenin is an organic flavonoid abundant in some plants such as parsley, chamomile, or celery. Recently, it has been investigated for several of its pharmacological characteristics, such as its ability to act as an antioxidant, reduce inflammation, and inhibit the growth of cancer cells. The purpose of this review is to provide a summary of the existing knowledge regarding the effects of apigenin on female reproductive systems and its dysfunctions.

The novel stimulators of feline ovarian granulosa cell functions: Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether adipokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) can affect the functions of ovarian cells in cats. The addition of either MCP-1 or PAI-1 increased viability; promoted the accumulation of proliferation markers and progesterone and estradiol release; and decreased the accumulation of apoptosis markers in cultured feline granulosa cells. The present observations suggest that MCP-1 or PAI-1 can be physiological stimulators of ovarian granulosa cell functions.

The adipokines progranulin and omentin can directly regulate feline ovarian granulosa cell functions.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of the adipokines progranulin and omentin on the basic functions of feline ovarian cells. For this purpose, we investigated the effects of the addition of progranulin and omentin (0, 0.1, 1, or 10 ng/ml) on the proliferation (accumulation of PCNA and cyclin B1), apoptosis (accumulation of Bax and caspase 3) and progesterone release of cultured feline ovarian granulosa cells by quantitative immunocytochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs).

The growth factors amphiregulin and epiregulin are novel stimulators of feline ovarian granulosa cell functions.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of the epidermal growth factor receptor ligands amphiregulin (AREG) and epiregulin (EREG) on the fundamental functions of feline ovarian granulosa cells. Granulosa cells isolated from feline ovaries were incubated with AREG and EREG (0, 0.1, 1 or 10 ng/mL).

The microRNA miR-152 can mitigate and prevent the toxic effect of benzene on porcine ovarian cells.

Epigenetic methods to prevent the reproductive toxicity of oil-related environmental contaminants are currently unavailable. The present study aimed to examine the ability of the microRNA miR-152 to mitigate the effects of benzene on ovarian cells. Porcine ovarian granulosa cells transfected or not transfected with miR-152 mimics were cultured with or without benzene (0, 10 and 100 ng/ml).

The basic functions of rabbit ovarian granulosa cell are regulated by adipokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1.

The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) on ovarian cell functions. Rabbit ovarian granulosa cells were cultured with or without MCP-1 or PAI-1 (at 0, 0.1, 1, or 10 ng/ml).

Involvement of circular RNAs in the control of porcine ovarian cell functions: Upregulation by ciR-00596 and downregulation by ciR-00646.

The current understanding of the role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in regulating ovarian functions is inadequate. To assess the impact of ciR-00596 and ciR-00646 on the regulation of basic porcine ovarian granulosa cell functions, we conducted upregulation (utilizing overexpressing vectors) and downregulation (utilizing shRNA vectors) of these circRNAs. The relative expression of both circRNAs, cell viability and proliferation (accumulation of PCNA, cyclin B1, and XTT-positive cells), cytoplasmic (accumulation of bax and caspase-3) and nuclear (DNA fragmentation) apoptosis, and the release of progesterone, testosterone, estradiol, IGF-I, and oxytocin were evaluated.

Does the miR-105-1-Kisspeptin Axis Promote Ovarian Cell Functions?

The objective of this study was to elucidate the intricate interplay among miR-105-1, kisspeptin, and their synergistic influence on basic ovarian granulosa cell functions. The effects of miR-105-1 mimics or miR-105-1 inhibitor, kisspeptin (0, 1, and 10 ng/ml), and its combinations with miR-105-1 mimics on porcine granulosa cells were assessed. The expression levels of miR-105-1, viability, proliferation (accumulation of PCNA, cyclin B1, XTT-, and BrdU-positive cells), apoptosis (accumulation of bcl-2, bax, caspase 3, p53, TUNEL-positive cells), proportion of kisspeptin-positive cells, and the release of steroid hormones and IGF-I were analyzed.

The adipokines progranulin and omentin - novel regulators of basic ovarian cell functions.

The present study aimed to examine the effects of progranulin and omentin on basic ovarian cell functions. For this purpose, we investigated the effects of the addition of progranulin and omentin (0, 0.1, 1, or 10 ng/ml) on the viability, proliferation, apoptosis and steroidogenesis of cultured rabbit ovarian granulosa cells.

Positive effects of rutin on female reproduction.

This article reviews the source and properties of rutin (vitamin P), its general physiological and medicinal effects and their mechanisms, but the main subject of it is the currently available knowledge concerning the character and mechanisms of action of rutin on female reproductive processes. The available data demonstrate the stimulatory action of rutin on female reproductive processes: it can promote ovarian follicles development and ovulation, ovarian cyclicity, and viability of ovarian cells. On the other hand, it can suppress ovarian cancer cell and tumour development by inhibition of cell proliferation and growth and activation of their apoptosis and death.

Сopper nanoparticles supported on charcoal and betacellulin - Two novel stimulators of ovarian granulosa cell functions and their functional interrelationships.

The present experiments are aimed to examine the effect of copper nanoparticles supported on charcoal (CuNPs/C), growth factor betacellulin (BTC) and their interrelationships in the control of ovarian cell functions. Porcine ovarian granulosa cells were cultured in the presence of CuNPs/C (0, 1, 10 or 100 ng/ml), BTC (100 ng/ml) and the combination of both, CuNPs/C + BTC. Markers of cell proliferation (BrDU incorporation), of the S-phase (PCNA) and G-phase (cyclin B1) of the cell cycle, markers of extrinsic (nuclear DNA fragmentation) and cytoplasmic/mitochondrial apoptosis (bax and caspase 3), and the release of progesterone and estradiol were assessed by BrDU test, TUNEL, quantitative immunocytochemistry and ELISA.

Inhibition of vinculin activity has an adverse effect on porcine ovarian cells.

The existing knowledge of the involvement of vinculin (VCL) in the control of ovarian cell functions is insufficient. To understand the role of VCL in the control of basic porcine ovarian granulosa cell functions, we decreased VCL activity by small interfering RNA (VCL siRNA). The expression of VCL, accumulation of VCL protein, cell viability, proliferation (accumulation of PCNA and cyclin B1), proportion of proliferative active cells, apoptosis (accumulation of bax, caspase 3, p53, antiapoptotic marker bcl2, and bax/bcl-2 ratio), DNA fragmentation, and release of steroid hormones and IGF-I were analyzed by RT‒qPCR, Trypan blue exclusion test, quantitative immunocytochemistry, XTT assay, TUNEL assay, and ELISA.

Association between blood hormones and fecundity in rabbit does.

The aim of the present study was to examine the association between blood hormone level and fecundity in rabbit does. The ovulation of nulliparous New Zealand White rabbits was induced by administration of PMSG and LH-RH analogue. Next day, the does were inseminated, blood was collected and the plasma levels of IGFI, leptin, progesterone and estradiol were measured by radioimmunoassay.

The multiple actions of grape and its polyphenols on female reproductive processes with an emphasis on cell signalling.

Grapes are an economically important fruit crop, and their polyphenols (mainly phenolic acids, flavanols, flavonols, anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, and stilbenes) can exert a wide range of health benefits as an interesting and valuable dietary supplement for natural complementary therapy. However, their potential physiological and therapeutic actions on reproductive processes have not been sufficiently elucidated. This evidence-based study presents current knowledge of grape extracts and polyphenols, as well as their properties and therapeutical actions in relation to female reproduction in a nutshell.

Sea buckthorn, its bioactive constituents, and mechanism of action: potential application in female reproduction.

Sea buckthorn ( L.) is a flowering shrub, and its berries have been utilized for decades as a raw ingredient in cuisines and herbal remedies. This evidence-based study focuses on its key bioactive constituents, and mechanism of protective effects with a focus on female reproductive processes.

Prospective multicenter online testing of the carotid endarterectomy risk stratification calculator carotidscore.ru.

Aim: To evaluate the incidence of complications, including fatal outcomes, ischemic strokes, and transient ischemic attacks, associated with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients categorized as low-, medium-, and high-risk based on their CarotidSCORE (carotidscore.ru).

Material And Methods: This prospective, multicenter study was conducted from January 1, 2022, to December 20, 2022, and enrolled 5,496 patients with stenosis of the internal carotid artery (ICA), who were categorized into four groups according to their risk level.

Hormonal indexes as predictors of porcine reproductive traits.

The aim of the present study was to examine the applicability of several hormonal indexes for early prediction of puberty and reproductive state in pigs. For this purpose, we have compared the level of hormones leptin, estradiol, progesterone, and IGF-I in the blood of gilts at 150 days of age and their indexes of puberty and ovarian state at the age of 200 days. The association between blood leptin, estradiol, progesterone, and IGF-I and indexes of future reproductive state has been demonstrated.

Can some food/medicinal plants directly affect porcine ovarian granulosa cells and mitigate the toxic effect of toluene?

The action of buckwheat, rooibos and vitex on healthy female reproductive systems, as well as their ability to mitigate the reproductive toxicity of environmental contaminant toluene have not yet been examined. We analysed the influence of toluene (0, 10, 100 or 1000 ng/mL) with and without these plant extracts (10 μg/mL) on cultured porcine ovarian granulosa cells. Cell viability, proliferation (PCNA accumulation), apoptosis (accumulation of bax) and release of progesterone (P) and oestradiol (E) were measured.

Quercetin action on health and female reproduction in mammals.

This paper reviews the current information concerning availability, metabolism of quercetin, its effects on physiological processes and illnesses with focus on the effects, mechanisms of action and areas of possible application of quercetin in control of female reproductive processes, prevention and treatment of their disorders in mammals.The available information demonstrated the ability of quercetin and its analogues to inhibit proliferation and to promote apoptosis, to activate regenerative processes, to treat immune, inflammatory, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, gastric and metabolic disorders and cancer, to suppress microorganisms, to protect bones and liver, to relieve pain, to improve physical and mental performance, and to prolong life span.The positive influences of quercetin on mammalian female reproductive processes are well documented.

Fennel affects porcine ovarian cell functions: The interrelationships with the environmental contaminant benzene.

The objective of this study was to examine the direct effects of the medicinal plant fennel on basic functions of ovarian cells, including proliferation, apoptosis, and release of progesterone and insulin-like growth factor I (IGFI), as well as to prevent the influence of the environmental contaminant benzene on these cells. Porcine ovarian granulosa cells were cultured with or without fennel extract alone or in combination with benzene. The expression of the proliferation marker PCNA and the apoptosis marker bax was analyzed by quantitative immunocytochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Ghrelin and obestatin can promote human ovarian granulosa cell functions and FSH effects.

The aim of the present in-vitro experiments was to examine the direct influence of ghrelin and obestatin on viability, proliferation and progesterone release by human ovarian granulosa cells and their response to FSH administration. Human granulosa cells were cultured in presence of ghrelin or obestatin (both at 0, 1, 10 or 100 ng/ml) alone or in the presence of FSH (10 ng/ml). Cell viability, accumulation of proliferation markers PCNA and cyclin B1 and release of progesterone were analyzed by Trypan blue extrusion test, quantitative immunocytochemistry and ELISA.

The Effect of Dietary Oat Consumption and Its Constituents on Fat Storage and Obesity.

This review is to summarize and analyze the currently available knowledge concerning the action of oat (Avena sativa L.) consumption on obesity, as well as possible constituents and extra- and intracellular mediators responsible for its anti-obesity effect. The oat constituents could reduce fat storage via several mediatory mechanisms - brain centers regulating appetite, gastrointestinal functions, gut bacteria, fat synthesis and metabolism and maybe via changes in oxidative processes, steroid hormones receptors and adipose tissue vascularization.