Open Access
ARTICLE
S. NICOVANI , M.I. RUDOLPH
BIOCELL, Vol.26, No.1, pp. 15-24, 2002, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2002.26.015
Abstract We examined the presence of estrogen receptors (ER) in vascular mast cells and a possible genomic effect of estrogens on the expression of mast cell (MC) mediators such as chymase, TNFα, NOS and IL-10, which are known to affect the course of atherosclerosis. Immunocytochemical detection of mast cell tryptase and the co-localization of ERs in MCs from abdominal aortic vessels from 10 fertile woman, 10 postmenopausal women and 15 men was performed. The genomic expression of IL-10, TNFα, and NOS was analyzed by RT-PCR and chymase activity by spectrophotometry after 24 h incubation with 17-β estradiol (0.2-0.5 ng/mL) in rat… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
L.A. CARO1, P.A. POLCI1 , L.I. LINDSTRÖM1 , C.V. ECHENIQUE1,2, L.F. HERNÁNDEZ1,3
BIOCELL, Vol.26, No.1, pp. 25-33, 2002, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2002.26.025
Abstract Prosopis chilensis (Mol.) Stuntz (Algarrobo de Chile) is an important native tree species that can be grown in arid and semiarid regions for wood and forage production and environmental protection. Developing a simple and reliable in vitro protocol for cloning it would enable to improve it genetically. Explants of P.chilensis were taken from 4 months-old plants grown in the greenhouse or from adult trees grown in a natural environment. Nodal segments 1 – 2 cm long containing an axillary bud were selected from elongating shoots. These cuttings were aseptically cultured on two agar-solid basal media, MS or BTMm, and treated… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
PAOLA GAUFFIN CANO1 , GRACIELA AGÜERO3, GABRIELA PERDIGON1,2
BIOCELL, Vol.26, No.1, pp. 35-48, 2002, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2002.26.035
Abstract Nutritional deficiencies are associated with impaired immune response, affecting the body’s defence mechanisms. It is also known that Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) and fermented products such us yogurt have immunopotentiator activity and nutritional properties, and could thus be used as a valuable supplement in a renutrition diet. The aim of this study was to determine, in a non-severe malnutrition model, the effective dose of Lactobacillus casei (L.casei), which when is used as an adjuvant in a renutrition diet, would modulate the mucosal immune system and induce recovery of the integrity of the intestinal barrier. The experiments were performed on groups… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
ANA LUCÍA DE PAUL*, MÓNICA BONATERRA*, CLAUDIA GABRIELA PELLIZAS**, AGUSTÍN AOKI*, ALICIA INÉS TORRES*
BIOCELL, Vol.26, No.1, pp. 49-60, 2002, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2002.26.049
Abstract In the present study the in vivo and in vitro effects of GHRP-5 on the PRL-releasing activity in correlation with the morphological changes of lactotroph cells and their transcriptional activity were evaluated. The in vitro treatment (12 µg/100g BW/day for 3 days) of male rats with GHRP-5 does not induce any significant changes in serum PRL levels. In contrast, the addition of GHRP-5 to pituitary cell cultures increased significantly the release of PRL. This effect is enhanced in cell cultures of enriched lactotrophs, increasing significantly the secretion of PRL, the concentrations of which were 50% higher than that of untreated… More >
Open Access
ARTICLE
M. Cruzado, C. Castro, N. Risler, R. Miatello
BIOCELL, Vol.26, No.1, pp. 61-67, 2002, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2002.26.061
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) generation by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), may play a role in blood vessel tone regulation. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced iNOS activity and subsequent nitrite production by cultured aortic VSMC, from SHR with an established chronic blood pressure elevation (adult SHR) or during the period preceding the development of hypertension (young SHR) and from age-matched normotensive Wistar (W) rats were compared. Angiotensin II (Ang II) effect was also evaluated. Both basal LPS-induced iNOS activity and nitrite accumulation were significantly lower in young SHR VSMC compared to young W rat cells. In… More >