Effect of cyproterone acetate on alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes in rat vas deferens

Gonadal hormones regulate the expression of alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes in several tissues. The present study was carried out to determine whether or not cyproterone acetate, an anti-androgenic agent, regulates the alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes that mediate contractions of the rat vas deferens in response to noradrenaline. The actions of subtype selective alpha1-antagonists were investigated in vas deferens from control and cyproterone acetate-treated rats (10 mg/day, sc, for 7 days). Prazosin (pA2 ~9.5), phentolamine (pA2 ~8.3) and yohimbine (pA2 ~6.7) presented competitive antagonism consistent with activation of alpha1-adrenoceptors in vas deferens from both control and treated rats. The pA2 values estimated for WB 4101 (~9.5), benoxathian (~9.7), 5-methylurapidil (~8.5), indoramin (~8.7) and BMY 7378 (~6.8) indicate that alpha1A-adrenoceptors are involved in the contractions of the vas deferens from control and cyproterone acetate-treated rats. Treatment of the vas deferens from control rats with the alpha1B/alpha1D-adrenoceptor alkylating agent chloroethylclonidine had no effect on noradrenaline contractions, supporting the involvement of the alpha1A-subtype. However, this agent partially inhibited the contractions of vas deferens from cyproterone acetate-treated rats, suggesting involvement of multiple receptor subtypes. To further investigate this, the actions of WB 4101 and chloroethylclonidine were reevaluated in the vas deferens from rats treated with cyproterone acetate for 14 days. In these organs WB 4101 presented complex antagonism characterized by a Schild plot with a slope different from unity (0.65 ± 0.05). After treatment with chloroethylclonidine, the complex antagonism presented by WB 4101 was converted into classical competitive antagonism, consistent with participation of alpha1A-adrenoceptors as well as alpha1B-adrenoceptors. These results suggest that cyproterone acetate induces plasticity in the alpha1-adrenoceptor subtypes involved in the contractions of the vas deferens.

Clinical assessment of ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate in menstrual irregularities of hyper-androgenic origin

We report on the results of a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial comparing two preparations of ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate in the treatment of women of reproductive age presenting menstrual irregularities of hyper-androgenic origin. After obtaining informed consent, subjects were randomized to a 4-month treatment period consisting of one daily dose of 0.035mg ethinylestradiol + 2mg cyproterone acetate. The treatment regimen cycle consisted of one pill, once daily for 21 days, followed by a 7-day pill-free period. We compared the efficacy of two presentations of the drug combination after each treatment cycle (Visits 2, 3, 4, and 5) in establishment and maintenance of menstrual regulation, intensity of menstrual flow, and dysmenorrhea, as well as a comparison of the two presentations in terms of Global Satisfaction and Drug Satisfaction assessments performed by the patients and the investigating physician. At each study visit, drug compliance and use of concomitant medications, as well as incidence, severity and duration of adverse events were recorded. A total of 86 subjects were randomized to treatment, with 43 subjects in each treatment group. At Visit 2 and each subsequent visit, all patients in both treatment groups reported an episode of withdrawal bleeding during the 7-day hormone-free period. We observed a statistically significant (p<0.0001) decrease in the incidence of dysmenorrhea at each study visit in relation to the pretreatment assessment. There was a significant reduction (p<0.0001) in the number of subjects reporting intermenstrual bleeding at each study visit in both treatment groups. Global Satisfaction scores by the patient and physician increased significantly at each successive study visit in both treatment groups. There were no clinically significant changes in vital signs, weight, and body mass index throughout the study period in either group. The number of subjects reporting adverse events at each visit did not vary between treatment groups. The combined oral contraceptive pill containing ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate was found to be both effective and safe in the menstrual irregularities of hyper-androgenic origin (amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and intermenstrual bleeding) assessed in this study. © Copyright Moreira Jr. Editora. Todos os direitos reservados.

Cellular and extracellular behavior in the gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) ventral prostate following different types of castration and the consequences of testosterone replacement

Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) were grouped into two experimental groups: GEx.01 suffered orchiectomy and after 30 days received doses of testosterone cipionate (T), while GEx.02 received weekly and alternated doses of the anti-androgens cyproterone acetate and flutamide for 30 days, and the animals were then euthanized. Structural evaluation reveals a more intense reduction in epithelial height in GEx.02. Smooth muscle cells (SMC) presented a star-shaped aspect after 30 days of hormonal ablation and basal membrane was shown to be more intensely grooved in GEx.01. In both groups, after hormonal replacement, recovery in epithelial height could be noted and the SMC presented its phenotypes, but an increase in RER was seen, characterizing a modulation from its contractile to secreting phenotype. In conclusion, the prostate presented involution capacity after androgen ablation and the ability to reorganize after hormonal replacement, but events resulting from orchiectomy and subsequent T replacement were shown to be more aggressive to the prostate. (c) 2006 International Federation for Cell Biology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Single testicular metastasis mimicking primary testicular neoplasm: A rare manifestation of prostate cancer

The incidence of secondary testicular tumors ranges from 0.02 to 2.5% among autopsies in general. With the exception of leukemias and lymphomas, prostate cancer is the most common primary site. It is diagnosed in autopsies or incidentally, following therapeutic orchiectomies in more advanced stages of the disease. In the present report, we show a case of testicular metastasis derived from prostate neoplasm whose clinical presentation as a single metastasis was similar to a primary testicular neoplasm. The diagnosis was evidenced after orchiectomy by histological examination and immunohistochemical tests.

Síndrome do climatério

The climateric is characterized by progressive hipoestrogenism and by tissue and functional alterations that leads the women to aging. The diagnosis approach needs to consider the symptoms originated by estrogenic deficiency and by the more prevalent chronic diseases in this lifetime, for instance, among others, the cardiovascular and osteoporosis diseases, witch need a systematic screening. The therapeutic management must consider the proposition of healthy life habits and, when indicated, pharmacological treatment for estrogenic deficiency or for anothers comorbidities existent. The estroprogestative hormonal therapeutic is a valuable tool to provide health and better quality of life, once obeyed the individualized criterion of the cases, doses, hormonal composition and mainly of the opportunity of intervention. There are nonhormonal alternatives to treat the menopausal symptoms, as the antidepressives and phytoestrogens. It's also advised to combine with regular physical activities and adequate calcium intake. © Copyright Moreira Jr. Editora. Todos os direitos reservados.

Development and validation of HPLC method for analysis of dexamethasone acetate in microemulsions

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Ethyl (E)-2-methoxyimino-2-(4-nitrobenzoyl)acetate

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Training on synthetic ethylene-vinyl acetate bench model allows novice medical students to acquire suture skills

PURPOSE: To assess the acquisition of suture skills by training on ethylene-vinyl acetate bench model in novice medical students.METHODS: Sixteen medical students without previous surgery experience (novices) were randomly divided into two groups. During one hour group A trained sutures on ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) bench model with feedback of instructors, while group B (control) received a faculty-directed training based on books and instructional videos. All students underwent a both pre-and post-tests to perform two-and three-dimensional sutures on ox tongue. All recorded performances were evaluated by two blinded evaluators, using the Global Rating Scale.RESULTS: Although both groups have had a better performance (p<0.05) in the post-test when compared with the pre-test, the analysis of post-test showed that group A (EVA) had a better performance (p<0.05) when compared with group B (control).CONCLUSION: The ethylene vinyl acetate bench model allowed the novice students to acquire suture skills faster when compared to the traditional model of teaching.

Development of estrous synchronization protocols using melengestrol acetate in Bos indicus cattle

Five experiments were conducted on commercial farms in Brazil designed to develop the basis for an estrus synchronization protocol using melengestrol acetate (MGA) in Bos indicus cattle. These studies resulted in the development of the following protocol: 0.5 mg.d(-1) of MGA between d -14 and -1; 2.0 mg i.m. injection of estradiol cypionate on d -9; 48 h temporary weaning between d 0 and 2; and natural service beginning on d 0. The basis of this protocol was to induce estrous cyclicity before postpartum loss of body condition, prevent premature luteolysis, eliminate the need for labor required to detect estrus, and consequently increase the likelihood of pregnancy early during the postpartum period. This treatment effectively induced estrous cyclicity among anestrous cows, synchronized estrus activity, and prevented premature luteolysis with no negative effect on pregnancy.

Induction of double ovulation in mares using deslorelin acetate

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Ovarian activity reversibility after the use of deslorelin acetate as a short-term contraceptive in domestic queens

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effects of prenatal hydrocortisone acetate exposure on fertility and sexual behavior in male rats

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of hydrocortisone during the prenatal period and its later repercussions on the fertility and sexual behavior of male rats. Pregnant rats were treated (s.c.) with hydrocortisone acetate, at 1.5 mg/day on the 17th, 18th, and 19th days of gestation. Decreased body weight and no alteration in anogenital distance were observed in male offspring. Adulthood, presented reductions of body weight, plasma testosterone levels, and seminal-vesicle wet weight without secretion as well as no alteration in the wet weights of the testes, epididymis, and seminal vesicle with secretion in the treated group. Males exposed to hydrocortisone during the prenatal period were able to mate with normal females, which became pregnant but exhibited an increased number of post-implantation losses. In spite of this, these treated males exhibited decreased male sexual behavior and the appearance of female sexual behavior after these male rats were castrated and pretreated with exogenous estrogen. These results indicate that exposure to hydrocortisone in the later stages of pregnancy may have a long-term effect on the fertility and sexual behavior of mate rats, suggesting an incomplete masculinization and defeminization of the central nervous system. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. (USA). All rights reserved.

Thermal behavior of cellulose acetate produced from homogeneous acetylation of bacterial cellulose

Cellulose acetate (CA) is one of the most important cellulose derivatives and its main applications are its use in membranes, films, fibers, plastics and filters. CAs are produced from cellulose sources such as: cotton, sugar cane bagasse, wood and others. One promissory source of cellulose is bacterial cellulose (BC). In this work, CA was produced from the homogeneous acetylation reaction of bacterial cellulose. Degree of substitution (DS) values can be controlled by the acetylation time. The characterization of CA samples showed the formation of a heterogeneous structure for CA samples submitted to a short acetylation time. A more homogeneous structure was produced for samples prepared with a long acetylation time. This fact changes the thermal behavior of the CA samples. Thermal characterization revealed that samples submitted to longer acetylation times display higher crystallinity and thermal stability than samples submitted to a short acetylation time. The observation of these characteristics is important for the production of cellulose acetate from this alternative source. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Alchornea glandulosa Ethyl Acetate Fraction Exhibits Antiangiogenic Activity: Preliminary Findings from In Vitro Assays Using Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)