To assess the effects of a single supraphysiological postnatal administration of a progestogen on uterine glands in dogs, 10 females were randomly assigned to a medroxyprogesterone acetate 35 mg (MPA; n = 6) or placebo (n = 4) group within the first 24 h of birth. The safety of the treatment was also evaluated. A transient mild clitoris enlargement appeared in MPA-treated females. Microscopic postpubertal uterine assessment revealed the presence of uterine glands in all cases without significant differences in the area occupied by the glands per µm2 of endometrium nor in the height of the uterine epithelium.
Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Clitoris/drug effects ; Dogs ; Epithelium/*drug effects ; Female ; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate/*pharmacology ; Organ Size/drug effects ; Random Allocation ; Sexual Maturation/drug effects ; Uterus/*drug effects

BACKGROUNDSilicon gel is unfavourable for cell attachment and growth. This study was to study if pretreating the surface of silicon gel with chemical agents affects the proliferation of epithelial cells.

METHODSSilicon gel was made and treated with either mixed acid solution (containing 232 g/dm(3) of H(2)SO(4) and 8 g/dm(3) of K(2)Cr(2)O(7)) or 300 cm(3)/dm(3) peroxide for 5, 10, and 15 minutes or 10, 15, and 20 minutes, respectively. The cultured corneal epithelial cells were seeded onto those silicon gels and kept for 13 days. Immunohistochemical investigations were then carried out for integrin (alpha 6 or beta 4) and actin.

RESULTSGrowth of the epithelial cells in silicon gels treated with mixed acid solution for 10 minutes and 15 minutes was much significant than that in the untreated gels. After a 12-hour culture, a small number of corneal epithelial cells were proliferated on the surface of the silicon gels that had been treated with peroxide for 15 minutes. After a 3-day culture, those cells were further proliferated and fused together. The corneal epithelial cells did not grow well in the silicon gels treated with peroxide for 10 or 20 minutes. Immunostaining revealed the expression of actin and integrin alpha 6 or beta 4 on the silicon gels that were treated with mixed acid solution for 10 minutes or peroxide for 15 minutes.

CONCLUSIONSilicon gels treated either with mixed acid solution for 10 or 15 minutes or with peroxide for 15 minutes improves cell proliferation.

Animals ; Cell Adhesion ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Epithelium, Corneal ; drug effects ; Gels ; Histocompatibility ; drug effects ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Silicon ; pharmacology

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of brimonidine, an alpha-2-adrenergic agonist, on barrier function in ARPE-19 cells by measuring transepithelial resistance (TER). METHODS: ARPE-19 cells were cultured into a confluent monolayer on a microporous filter. Brimonidine was added to the apical medium, and the barrier function of the cells was evaluated by measuring TER. A subset of cells was treated under hypoxic conditions, and the TER changes observed upon administration of brimonidine were compared to those observed in cells in normoxic conditions. RESULTS: The ARPE cell membrane reached a peak resistance of 29.1+/-7.97 Omega cm2 after four weeks of culture. The TER of the cells treated under normoxic conditions increased with brimonidine treatment; however, the TER of the cells treated under hypoxic conditions did not change following the administration of brimonidine. CONCLUSIONS: Barrier function in ARPE-19 cells increased with brimonidine treatment. Understanding the exact mechanism of this barrier function change requires further investigation.
Adrenergic alpha-Agonists/*pharmacology ; Cell Hypoxia/drug effects/physiology ; Cell Line ; Electric Impedance ; Humans ; Quinoxalines/*pharmacology ; Receptors, Adrenergic, alpha-2/*drug effects ; Retinal Pigment Epithelium/*drug effects/*physiology

OBJECTIVESWound healing in the skin is a multifarious orchestration of cellular processes and cigarette smoking may be a cause for delayed wound healing. The aim of this study was to investigate the plausible association between exposures of cigarette total particulate matter (TPM) and wound healing.

METHODSAn in vivo wound healing model of mice was established for determination of assorted events of wound healing, dermal matrix regeneration, re-epithelialization, and neovascularization. A total of 72 adult mice, separated in eight groups, were exposed to TPM for 12 days.

RESULTSA highly considerable diminution in wound closure (P < 0.001) was pragmatic among all TPM-treated mice from day 6 to day 8 post-wounding. Histological investigations unveiled a noteworthy impede in the outcome of re-epithelialization, dermal matrix regeneration and maturation of collagen bundles among all TPM-exposed wounds. Delayed commencement of neovascularization was pragmatic among all TPM-treated mice, on day 12 post wounding. Abbot curve, angular spectrum, and other different parameters of 3D surface behavior of wounds revealed a very highly significant reduction (P < 0.001) in angiogenesis on days 6 and 8 post-wounding, which points that application of TPM instigates extensive delay in trigging the progression of angiogenesis, resulting in delayed onset of wound healing.

CONCLUSIONOur annotations validate the damaging effects of TPM on wound healing and excessive use of TPM may lead to the production of chronic wounds and oral ulcers.

Animals ; Dermis ; blood supply ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Epithelium ; drug effects ; pathology ; Extracellular Matrix ; drug effects ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Particulate Matter ; pharmacology ; Regeneration ; drug effects ; Wound Healing ; drug effects

BACKGROUNDManganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) for visual pathway imaging via topical administration requires further research. This study investigated the permeability of the corneal epithelium and corneal toxicity after topical administration of Mn2+ to understand the applicability of MEMRI.

METHODSForty New Zealand rabbits were divided into 0.05 mol/L, 0.10 mol/L, and 0.20 mol/L groups as well as a control group (n = 10 in each group). Each group was further subdivided into epithelium-removed and epithelium-intact subgroups (n = 5 in each subgroup). Rabbits were given 8 drops of MnCl2in 5 min intervals. The Mn2+ concentrations in the aqueous and vitreous humors were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry at different time points. MEMRI scanning was carried out to image the visual pathway after 24 h. The corneal toxicity of Mn2+ was evaluated with corneal imaging and pathology slices.

RESULTSBetween the aqueous and vitreous humors, there was a 10 h lag for the peak Mn2+ concentration times. The intraocular Mn2+ concentration increased with the concentration gradients of Mn2+ and was higher in the epithelium-removed subgroup than that in the epithelium-intact subgroup. The enhancement of the visual pathway was achieved in the 0.10 mol/L and 0.20 mol/L epithelium-removed subgroups. The corresponding peak concentrations of Mn2+ were 5087 ± 666 ng/ml, 22920 ± 1188 ng/ml in the aqueous humor and 884 ± 78 ng/ml, 2556 ± 492 ng/ml in the vitreous body, respectively. Corneal injury was evident in the epithelium-removed and 0.20 mol/L epithelium-intact subgroups.

CONCLUSIONSThe corneal epithelium is a barrier to Mn2+, and the iris and lens septum might be another intraocular barrier to the permeation of Mn2+. An elevated Mn2+ concentration contributes to the increased permeation of Mn2+, higher MEMRI signal, and corneal toxicity. The enhancement of the visual pathway requires an effective Mn2+ concentration in the vitreous body.

Administration, Topical ; Animals ; Aqueous Humor ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cornea ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Epithelium, Corneal ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Manganese ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Rabbits ; Visual Pathways ; drug effects ; Vitreous Body ; drug effects ; metabolism

In order to investigate the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) on the proliferation of rabbit corneal endothelial cells and epithelial cells, the in vitro cultured rabbit corneal endothelial cells and epithelial cells were treated with different concentrations of NGF. MTT assay was used to examine the clonal growth and proliferation of the cells by determining the absorbency values at 570 nm. The results showed that NGF with three concentrations ranging from 5 U/mL to 500 U/mL enhanced the proliferation of rabbit corneal endothelial cells in a concentration-dependent manner. 50 U/mL and 500 U/mL NGF got more increase of proliferation than that of 5 U/mL NGF did. Meanwhile, 50 U/mL and 500 U/mL NGF could promote the proliferation of the rabbit corneal epithelial cells significantly in a concentration-dependent manner. However, 5 U/mL NGF did not enhance the proliferation of epithelial cells. It was suggested that exogenous NGF can stimulate the proliferation of both rabbit corneal endothelial and epithelial cells, but the extent of modulation is different.
Cell Proliferation/*drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Endothelium, Corneal/*cytology ; Epithelium, Corneal/*cytology ; Nerve Growth Factor/*pharmacology

To clarify the effects of zinc on the proliferation and apoptosis of cultured human retinal pigment epithelia (RPE) and the expression of caspase-3 in RPE cells. The effect of Zinc on the proliferation of RPE were examined with MTT method. TUNEL method was used to detect the apoptosis of RPE cells. Caspase-3 was detected by immunohistochemistry. A concentration of zinc higher than 0.001 microM could inhibit the proliferation of RPE. And the relationship between concentration of zinc higher than 10 microM and growth prohibition rate of RPE cells was dose-dependent. All concentrations of zinc including 0.001 microM enhanced the expression of caspase-3 of RPE. But only the concentration of zinc higher than 0.01 microM could induce apoptosis of RPE. It is concluded that zinc could enhance the expression of caspase-3 of RPE cells and induce apoptosis of RPE cells. Caution should be taken when using zinc supplements for the treatment of ARMD patients without deficiency of zinc.
Apoptosis/*drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; Caspases/metabolism ; Cell Division/drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Pigment Epithelium of Eye/*cytology ; Zinc/*pharmacology

To clarify the effects of zinc on the proliferation and apoptosis of cultured human retinal pigment epithelia (RPE) and the expression of caspase-3 in RPE cells. The effect of Zinc on the proliferation of RPE were examined with MTT method. TUNEL method was used to detect the apoptosis of RPE cells. Caspase-3 was detected by immunohistochemistry. A concentration of zinc higher than 0.001 microM could inhibit the proliferation of RPE. And the relationship between concentration of zinc higher than 10 microM and growth prohibition rate of RPE cells was dose-dependent. All concentrations of zinc including 0.001 microM enhanced the expression of caspase-3 of RPE. But only the concentration of zinc higher than 0.01 microM could induce apoptosis of RPE. It is concluded that zinc could enhance the expression of caspase-3 of RPE cells and induce apoptosis of RPE cells. Caution should be taken when using zinc supplements for the treatment of ARMD patients without deficiency of zinc.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Pigment Epithelium of Eye ; cytology ; Zinc ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of dexamethasone on the differentiation and proliferation of type A mouse palatal medial edge epithelial cells when there is type A mouse embryonic palatal mesenchymal cells.

METHODSThe mouse palatal shelves were harvested from a female mouse of gestation day 14 by microsurgical dissection and cultured in vitro. The differentiation was investigated through microscope and transmission electron microscope under condition of the palatal shelves fusion.

RESULTSDexamethasone promoted the palatal medial edge epithelium differentiated into squamause epithelium and affected normal development and obstructed the fusion of mouse palatal shelves.

CONCLUSIONThe results of histological observation indicate that dexamethasone promotes the proliferation of palatal meseuchymal cells and inhibits the normal differentiation of palatal medial edge epithelial cells, which results in cleft palate.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cleft Palate ; chemically induced ; Dexamethasone ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Female ; Glucocorticoids ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Organ Culture Techniques ; Palate, Hard ; drug effects ; embryology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the nasal epithelium toxicity of adjuvants and rHV2 nasal spary(HVS).

METHODCiliary movement were evaluated with in situ toad palate model; The histology assessment of nasal epithelium were carried out after long-lasting and repeated use of HVS.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONAdjuvants included SDS, Brij 35, azone, lecithin, EDTA, menthol, nipagin and thiomersal were able to significantly inhibited the ciliary movement, while tween80, glycyrrhizic acid monoammonium salt, benzalkonium bromide, sodium benzoate and adhensive materials investigated had less influence on it. HVS was able to damaged the nasal epithelium, but this effect recovered soon after stopping administration. It was demonstrated that SDS, Brij 35, azone,lecithin, EDTA, menthol, nipagin and thiomersal. It had significant cilitoxity, while tween80, glycyrrhizic acid monoammonium salt, benzalkonium bromide, sodium benzoate and adhensive materials investigated had no significance; Chitosan co-administration with some adjuvants may make the cillitoxity severer; It is available that rHV2 be administered by nasal spary.

Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Administration, Intranasal ; Animals ; Bufo bufo ; Chitosan ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Cilia ; drug effects ; Epithelium ; drug effects ; Female ; Hirudins ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Male ; Nasal Mucosa ; drug effects ; Palate ; drug effects ; Rabbits ; Recombinant Proteins ; administration & dosage ; toxicity