Corticosteroid Hormones Research Articles

An optimized whole-body corticosteroid hormones quantification method by LC-MS/MS for assessing stress levels in European glass eels (Anguilla anguilla)

The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) juvenile stage exhibits facultative estuarine migration. The causes of this behavior are yet unknown but it may have an impact on the population's fate by altering the sex ratio of the population. Recent studies have highlighted potential stress-related issues in glass eels settling in estuaries but studying stress response in small organisms requires sensitive, accurate and precise analytical methods. The aims of the present study are (i) to develop a whole-body Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the simultaneous determination of several stress hormones in low-body mass fish; (ii) to apply this method to glass eels to study their responses to acute stress (iii) to test the effect of anxiolytics (diazepam) on these responses. Our results showed that enhanced LC-MS/MS analysis reduced detection limits and improved accuracy and precision for the quantification at the individual level. Following an acute stress, cortisol concentration significantly increased in glass eels and a 15 h diazepam exposure significantly reduced cortisol levels highlighting a marked anxiolytic effect on this species.

The impact of mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptor interaction on corticosteroid transcriptional outcomes

The mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptors (MR and GR, respectively) are members of the steroid receptor subfamily of nuclear receptors. Their main function is to act as ligand-activated transcription factors, transducing the effects of corticosteroid hormones (aldosterone and glucocorticoids) by modulating gene expression. Corticosteroid signaling is essential for homeostasis and adaptation to different forms of stress. GR responds to glucocorticoids by regulating genes involved in development, metabolism, immunomodulation and brain function. MR is best known for mediating the effects of aldosterone, a key hormone controlling electrolyte and water homeostasis. In addition to aldosterone, MR binds glucocorticoids (cortisol and corticosterone) with equally high affinity. This ligand promiscuity has important repercussions to understand MR function, as well as glucocorticoid signaling. MR and GR share significant sequence and structural similarities, regulate overlapping sets of genes and are able to interact forming heteromeric complexes. However, the precise role of these heteromers in regulating corticosteroid-regulated transcriptional outcomes remains an open question. In this review, we examine the evidence supporting MR-GR heteromerization, the molecular determinants of complex formation and their possible role in differential regulation of transcription in different cellular contexts and ligand availability.

The effect of cortisone on female zebrafish (Dania rerio): Reducing reproductive capacity and offspring survival rate

Cortisone is a naturally occurring corticosteroid hormone known for its wide range of anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects, and it is commonly found in various aquatic environments. Previous reports have shown that cortisone can have significant negative impacts on fish; however, its specific effects on fish reproduction have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, female adult zebrafish were exposed to 0.0 (control), 3.9, 40.2, and 377.9 ng/L of cortisone for 60 days, and multiple endpoints were evaluated. The results showed that as the concentration of cortisone increased, there was an increase in the percentage of perinuclear oocytes and a decrease in the proportion of late-stage oocytes, indicating a stagnation in oocyte development. Additionally, female zebrafish exposed to cortisone exhibited decreased attraction to males and reduced mating intimacy. Furthermore, exposure to cortisone resulted in changes in the development and behavior of zebrafish embryos. At cortisone concentrations of 3.9 and 40.2 ng/L, fewer eggs were laid and the survival rate of fertilized eggs decreased. These observed effects are associated with abnormal transcription levels of genes (Star, Cyp11a1, Cyp17, Cyp19a, Cyp11b, Hsd11β2, Hsd17β3) related to the HPG axis. These findings provided new insights into understanding potential environmental risks associated with corticosteroids.

Metformin modulates corticosteroids hormones in adrenals cells promoting Mycobacterium tuberculosis elimination in human macrophages

Research suggests that both tuberculosis (TB) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have an immuno-endocrine imbalance characterized by dysregulated proinflammatory molecules and hormone levels (high cortisol/DHEA ratio), impeding an effective immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) driven by cytokines, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and androgens like DHEA. Insulin, sulfonylurea derivatives, and metformin are commonly used glucose-lowering drugs in patients suffering from TB and T2DM. For this comorbidity, metformin is an attractive target to restore the immunoendocrine mechanisms dysregulated against Mtb. This study aimed to assess whether metformin influences cortisol and DHEA synthesis in adrenal cells and if these hormones influence the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and AMPs in Mtb-infected macrophages. Our results suggest that metformin may enhance DHEA synthesis while maintaining cortisol homeostasis. In addition, supernatants from metformin-treated adrenal cells decreased mycobacterial loads in macrophages, which related to rising proinflammatory cytokines and AMP expression (HBD-2 and 3). Intriguingly, we find that HBD-3 and LL-37 can modulate steroid synthesis in adrenal cells with diminished levels of cortisol and DHEA, highlighting the importance of crosstalk communication between adrenal hormones and these effectors of innate immunity. We suggest that metformin's effects can promote innate immunity against Mtb straight or through modulation of corticosteroid hormones.

Staining pattern of specific and cross-reacting Melan-A antibodies: A comparative study on 15,840 samples from 133 human tumor types.

The Melan-A (melanocyte antigen) protein, also termed 'melanoma antigen recognized by Tcells 1' (MART-1) is a protein with unknown function whose expression is specific for the melanocyte lineage. Antibodies against Melan-A are thus used for identifying melanocytic tumors, but some Melan-A antibodies show an additional - diagnostically useful - cross-reactivity against an unspecified protein involved in corticosteroid hormone synthesis. To comprehensively compare the staining patterns of a specific and a cross-reactive Melan-A antibody in normal and neoplastic tissues, tissue microarrays containing 15,840 samples from 133 different tumor types and subtypes as well as 608 samples of 76 different normal tissue types were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. For the Melan-A-specific antibody 'Melan-A specific' (MSVA-900M), Melan-A positivity was seen in 96.0% of 25 benign nevi, 93.0% of 40 primary and 86.7% of 75 metastatic melanomas, 82.4% of 85 renal angiomyolipomas as well as 96.4% of 84 neurofibromas, 2.2% of 46 granular cell tumors, 1.0% of 104 schwannomas, and 1.1% of 87 leiomyosarcomas. The cross-reactive antibody 'Melan-A+' (MSVA-901M+) stained 98.1% of the tumors stained by 'Melan-A specific'. In addition, high positivity rates were seen in sex-cord-stroma tumors of the ovary (35.3%-100%) and the testis (86.7%) as well as for adrenocortical neoplasms (76.3%-83.0%). Only nine further tumor groups showed Melan-A+ staining, including five different categories of urothelial carcinomas. Our data provide a comprehensive overview on the staining patterns of specific and cross-reactive Melan-A antibodies. The data demonstrate that both antibodies are highly useful for their specific purpose. It is important for pathologists to distinguish these two Melan-A antibody subtypes for their daily work.

Electrochemical sensing of cortisol by gold nanoparticle incorporated carboxylated graphene oxide based molecularly imprinted polymer

In this work, we report a simple electrochemical biosensor for cortisol (Cor) detection using a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP). MIP was prepared by graft copolymerization method on allylated gold nanoparticle (Au) incorporated carboxylated graphene oxide (allylated Au/GO-COOH) polymerized along with the template molecule Cor. Cor is one of the important corticosteroid hormones in human physiology. Cor, the stress hormone, is a steroid hormone that comes under the class of glucocorticoid hormones and is produced as a part of our body’s stress response. This Cor imprinted polymer (Cor-MIP) was chosen to modify the working glassy carbon electrode surface. Thereby developing a highly selective and sensitive electrochemical biosensor. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy and Cyclic Voltammetry explored the electrochemical properties of the developed electrochemical biosensor. The investigation reports from the electrochemical studies revealed that the current value increases proportionally with increasing concentration of Cor. This confirmed the excellent electrocatalytic activity of the prepared Cor-MIP based biosensor toward Cor. The nanomaterials as well as the electroactive sites on Cor-MIP together enhancing the electron transfer rate and lower detection. Differential Pulse Voltammetry is used to find the limit of detection and quantification, and were obtained as, 0.61 × 10−14 M and 2.02 × 10−14 M, respectively. With excellent specificity, stability, and selectivity, this newly developed electrochemical biosensor has been successfully used for Cor measurements in human blood serum samples.

#409 Correlation between ha factor concentration and urinary syndrome in patients with chronic glomerulonephritis when using rivaroxaban

Abstract Background and Aims Considering the pathogenetic role of factor X of the coagulation system in the formation and progression of chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN), as well as the mechanism of action of rivaroxaban, this study examined the concentration of coagulation factor X in peripheral blood. Aim of our study to reveal the pathogenetic relationship between the concentration of Xa factor and the severity of urinary syndrome in patients with CGN on the background of basic therapy with the inclusion of rivaroxaban. Method 108 CGN patients, on the background of 3-month baseline therapy with inclusion of rivaroxaban (AC+ group, 55 patients) and without anticoagulant (AC- group, 53 patients). Initially and after 3 months of the study the concentration of coagulation factor Xa in peripheral blood was studied. Results In CGN patients the concentration of Xa factor was significantly higher than in CG (122.17 ± 2.23% vs. 104.28 ± 6.54% in CG, p < 0.05). On the background of 3-month therapy including antiaggregant, corticosteroid hormone and cytostatic, the concentration of Xa factor decreased by 18.82 ± 0.64% (p < 0.001 reliability of difference with initial data). The use of rivaroxaban, as expected, was associated with a more significant decrease in Xa factor level—by 38.76 ± 1.40% (p < 0.001 significance of difference with baseline data; significance of difference in relative dynamics of Xa factor concentration between groups depending on anticoagulant use, p < 0.001). Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive strong correlation between the initial concentration of Xa factor in peripheral blood of CGN patients and the severity of hematuria (r = 0.83, p < 0.01) and a positive weak correlation between the concentration of Xa factor and cylindruria as a manifestation of proteinuria (r = 0.30, p < 0.01), as well as a positive weak correlation between the concentration of Xa factor and cylindruria at the end of the 3rd month of observation (r = 0.33, p < 0.01). There was also found a significant negative weak correlation between the initial concentration of Xa factor and the relative dynamics of hematuria (r = −0.48, p < 0.01) and cylindruria (r = −0.33, p < 0.01). Conclusion The study confirmed the pathogenetic relationship between the concentration of Xa factor and the severity of urinary syndrome in CGN patients. It was also found that initially high concentration of Xa factor is associated with less positive dynamics of urinary syndrome parameters.

Corticosteroid Hormone Glucocorticoids and Mineralocorticoid

Glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoid are contributors to the corticosteroid hormone family, synthesized in the adrenal gland from the precursor sterol LDL cholesterol using the intermediate pregnenolone. Cortisol is an indispensable glucocorticoid in humans (in rodents, corticosterone), and aldosterone is an important mineralocorticoid. Cortisol and aldosterone share a time-honored synthesis pathway, are structurally similar, and exhibit a degree of cross-receptor affinity and function. Nevertheless, small variations in structure permit critical variants in physiological functions. Aldosterone classically acts via the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) to promote sodium transport in the kidney and gut, thereby regulating long-term electrolyte homeostasis and blood stress control. Cortisol, via comparison, is well known for a sizeable range of metabolic and stress-related responses

Ultrasensitive cortisol electrochemical immunosensor amplifying by Au single-atom nanozymes and HRP enzymes

Cortisol, a corticosteroid hormone as a primary stress hormone response to internal and external stress, has been regarded as a gold standard reliable biomarker to evaluate human mental stress. The double enzymes strategy, using nanozyme and enzyme amplifying the electrochemical signal, has been widely used to improve the performance of electrochemical biosensors. An ultra-sensitive electrochemical cortisol sensor based on Au single-atom nanozymes had been fabricated through HRP labeled anti-cortisol antibody binding with Au by Au-S bond. Based on the high catalytic activity of Au single-atom nanozymes and the high selectivity of HRP-labeled anti-cortisol antibodies, the cortisol electrochemical sensor-based Au single-atom nanozymes had an excellent response to cortisol, such as high electrochemical activity, high sensitivity, high selectivity, and wide linear range (0.15–300 ng mL−1) and low detection (0.48 pg mL−1) through the four-parameter logistic model with 95% confidence. The electrochemical cortisol sensor was used to determine the cortisol concentration of human saliva at different times.

The mineralocorticoid receptor forms higher order oligomers upon DNA binding.

The prevailing model of steroid hormone nuclear receptor function assumes ligand-induced homodimer formation followed by binding to DNA hormone response elements (HREs). This model has been challenged by evidence showing that the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) forms tetramers upon ligand and DNA binding, which then drive receptor-mediated gene transactivation and transrepression. GR and the closely-related mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) interact to transduce corticosteroid hormone signaling, but whether they share the same quaternary arrangement is unknown. Here, we used a fluorescence imaging technique, Number & Brightness, to study oligomerization in a cell system allowing real-time analysis of receptor-DNA interactions. Agonist-bound MR forms tetramers in the nucleoplasm and higher order oligomers upon binding to HREs. Antagonists form intermediate-size quaternary arrangements, suggesting that large oligomers are essential for function. Divergence between MR and GR quaternary structure is driven by different functionality of known and new multimerization interfaces, which does not preclude formation of heteromers. Thus, influencing oligomerization may be important to selectively modulate corticosteroid signaling.

Cortisol controls endoplasmic reticulum stress and hypoxia dependent regulation of insulin receptor and related genes expression in HEK293 cells.

Objective. Glucocorticoids are important stress-responsive regulators of insulin-dependent metabolic processes realized through specific changes in genome function. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of cortisol on insulin receptor and related genes expression in HEK293 cells upon induction the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by tunicamycin and hypoxia. Methods. The human embryonic kidney cell line HEK293 was used. Cells were exposed to cortisol (10 µM) as well as inducers of hypoxia (dimethyloxalylglycine, DMOG; 0.5 mM) and ER stress (tunicamycin; 0.2 µg/ml) for 4 h. The RNA from these cells was extracted and reverse transcribed. The expression level of INSR, IRS2, and INSIG2 and some ER stress responsive genes encoding XBP1n, non-spliced variant, XBP1s, alternatively spliced variant of XBP1, and DNAJB9 proteins, was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and normalized to ACTB. Results. We showed that exposure of HEK293 cells to cortisol elicited up-regulation in the expression of INSR and DNAJB9 genes and down-regulation of XBP1s, XBP1n, IRS2, and INSIG2 mRNA levels. At the same time, induction of hypoxia by DMOG led to an up-regulation of the expression level of most studied mRNAs: XBP1s and XBP1n, IRS2 and INSIG2, but did not change significantly INSR and DNAJB9 gene expression. We also showed that combined impact of cortisol and hypoxia introduced the up-regulation of INSR and suppressed XBP1n mRNA expression levels. Furthermore, the exposure of HEK293 cells to tunicamycin affected the expression of IRS2 gene and increased the level of XBP1n mRNA. At the same time, the combined treatment of these cells with cortisol and inductor of ER stress had much stronger impact on the expression of all the tested genes: strongly increased the mRNA level of ER stress dependent factors XBP1s and DNAJB9 as well as INSR and INSIG2, but down-regulated IRS2 and XBP1n. Conclusion. Taken together, the present study indicates that cortisol may interact with ER stress and hypoxia in the regulation of ER stress dependent XBP1 and DNAJB9 mRNA expression as well as INSR and its signaling and that this corticosteroid hormone modified the impact of hypoxia and especially tunicamycin on the expression of most studied genes in HEK293 cells. These data demonstrate molecular mechanisms of glucocorticoids interaction with ER stress and insulin signaling at the cellular level.

Effect of dexamethasone on human neutrophil adhesion and concomitant secretion

Neutrophils play a dual role in protecting the body. They are able to penetrate infected tissues and destroy pathogens there, releasing aggressive bactericidal substances. Getting into the surrounding tissues, aggressive secretion products of neutrophils initiate the development of inflammatory processes. Invasion of neutrophils into tissues is observed during the development of pneumonia in patients with lung diseases of various etiologies, including acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by coronavirus disease. The synthetic corticosteroid hormone dexamethasone has a therapeutic effect in the treatment of lung diseases, including reducing mortality in patients with severe Covid-19. The acute (short-term) effect of dexamethasone on neutrophil adhesion to fibrinogen and concomitant secretion was studied. Dexamethasone did not affect either the attachment of neutrophils to the substrate or their morphology. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) by neutrophils during adhesion also did not change in the presence of dexamethasone. Dexamethasone stimulated the release of metalloproteinases in addition to proteins secreted by neutrophil adhesion under control conditions, and selectively stimulated the release of the free amino acid hydroxylysine, a product of lysyl hydroxylase. Metalloproteinases play a key role and closely interact with lysyl hydroxylase in the processes of rearrangement of the extracellular matrix. The therapeutic effect of dexamethasone may be associated with its ability, by changing the composition of neutrophil secretions, to reorganize the extracellular matrix in tissues, which can lead to improved gas exchange in patients with severe lung diseases.

Epigenetics of the far northern Yakutian population

BackgroundYakuts are one of the indigenous populations of the subarctic and arctic territories of Siberia characterized by a continental subarctic climate with severe winters, with the regular January average temperature in the regional capital city of Yakutsk dipping below − 40 °C. The epigenetic mechanisms of adaptation to such ecologies and environments and, in particular, epigenetic age acceleration in the local population have not been studied before.ResultsThis work reports the first epigenetic study of the Yakutian population using whole-blood DNA methylation data, supplemented with the comparison to the residents of Central Russia. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed, among others, geographic region-specific differentially methylated regions associated with adaptation to climatic conditions (water consumption, digestive system regulation), aging processes (actin filament activity, cell fate), and both of them (channel activity, regulation of steroid and corticosteroid hormone secretion). Further, it is demonstrated that the epigenetic age acceleration of the Yakutian representatives is significantly higher than that of Central Russia counterparts. For both geographic regions, we showed that epigenetically males age faster than females, whereas no significant sex differences were found between the regions.ConclusionsWe performed the first study of the epigenetic data of the Yakutia cohort, paying special attention to region-specific features, aging processes, age acceleration, and sex specificity.

Effect of Dexamethasone on Adhesion of Human Neutrophils and Concomitant Secretion.

Neutrophils play a dual role in protecting the body. They are able to penetrate infected tissues and destroy pathogens there by releasing aggressive bactericidal substances. While into the surrounding tissues, the aggressive products secreted by neutrophils initiate development of inflammatory processes. Invasion of neutrophils into tissues is observed during the development of pneumonia in the patients with lung diseases of various etiologies, including acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by coronavirus disease. Synthetic corticosteroid hormone dexamethasone has a therapeutic effect in treatment of lung diseases, including reducing mortality in the patients with severe COVID-19. The acute (short-term) effect of dexamethasone on neutrophil adhesion to fibrinogen and concomitant secretion was studied. Dexamethasone did not affect either attachment of neutrophils to the substrate or their morphology. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) by neutrophils during adhesion also did not change in the presence of dexamethasone. Dexamethasone stimulated release of metalloproteinases in addition to the proteins secreted by neutrophils during adhesion under control conditions, and selectively stimulated release of free amino acid hydroxylysine, a product of lysyl hydroxylase. Metalloproteinases play a key role and closely interact with lysyl hydroxylase in the processes of modification of the extracellular matrix. Therapeutic effect of dexamethasone could be associated with its ability to reorganize extracellular matrix in the tissues by changing composition of the neutrophil secretions, which could result in the improved gas exchange in the patients with severe lung diseases.

Role of Catecholamine Hormone to Increase the Virulence of Aeromonas hydrophila

Extreme environmental conditions have been widely reported to trigger stress in exposed living organisms, and such conditions affect their homeostatics. Sress conditions lead vertebrates to release stress hormones, such as catecholamine Norepinephrin (NE) and Dopamine (Dopamine), which involve the hypothalamus-sympathetic-chromaffin (HSC) axis and the hypothalamus-pituitary-interrenal axis (HPI axis). These two axis systems produce catecholamine hormones (including adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine) and corticosteroid hormones (especially cortisol). The presence of these two groups of hormones in the circulatory system of the hosts can act as a signal for pathogenic bacteria, such as Aeromonas hydrophilla commonly found in aquaculture, to start their infection process. These two types of hormones play a role in the expression of Aeromonas hydrophila genes encoding formation of flagella (allowing bacterial cells to swim rapidly to their host), pilli, toxin production, and activation of biofilm formation process. The stress conditions experienced by fishes (which triggers the secretion of catecholamine hormones) can significantly reduce the fish's immune system to function, and this will be exploited by Aeromonas hydrophila to increase its metabolic rate, growth, and virulence in such stressed fish. Specifically, catecholamine hormones can also act as a signal for the Aeromonas hydrophila to activate the ferric uptake regulator gene (fur gene), allowing this pathogenic bacterium to optimally chelate ions of iron (Fe3+) from its environment, resulting in the excessive growth of the pathogen and an increase in its pathogenicity.

Disturbed bone marrow adiposity in patients with Cushing's syndrome and glucocorticoid- and postmenopausal- induced osteoporosis.

Skeletal stem/progenitor cells (SSPCs) in the bone marrow can differentiate into osteoblasts or adipocytes in response to microenvironmental signalling input, including hormonal signalling. Glucocorticoids (GC) are corticosteroid hormones that promote adipogenic differentiation and are endogenously increased in patients with Cushing´s syndrome (CS). Here, we investigate bone marrow adiposity changes in response to endogenous or exogenous GC increases. For that, we characterize bone biopsies from patients with CS and post-menopausal women with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GC-O), compared to age-matched controls, including postmenopausal osteoporotic patients (PM-O). Transiliac crest bone biopsies from CS patients and healthy controls, and from postmenopausal women with GC-O and matched controls were analysed; an additional cohort included biopsies from women with PM-O. Plastic-embedded biopsies were sectioned for histomorphometric characterization and quantification of adipocytes. The fraction of adipocyte area per tissue (Ad.Ar/T.Ar) and marrow area (Ad.Ar/Ma.Ar), mean adipocyte profile area (Ad.Pf.Ar) and adipocyte profile density (N.Ad.Pf/Ma.Ar) were determined and correlated to steroid levels. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of adipocytes in relation to trabecular bone was characterized and correlations between bone marrow adiposity and bone remodeling parameters investigated. Biopsies from patients with CS and GC-O presented increased Ad.Ar/Ma.Ar, along with adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia. In patients with CS, both Ad.Ar/Ma.Ar and Ad.Pf.Ar significantly correlated with serum cortisol levels. Spatial distribution analyses revealed that, in CS, the increase in Ad.Ar/Ma.Ar near to trabecular bone (<100 µm) was mediated by both adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia, while N.Ad.Pf/Ma.Ar further into the marrow (>100 µm) remained unchanged. In contrast, patients with GC-O only presented increased Ad.Ar/Ma.Ar and mean Ad.Pf.Ar>100 µm from trabecular bone surface, highlighting the differential effect of increased endogenous steroid accumulation. Finally, the Ad.Ar/Ma.Ar and Ad.Ar/T.Ar correlated with the canopy coverage above remodeling events. Increased cortisol production in patients with CS induces increased bone marrow adiposity, primarily mediated by adipocyte hypertrophy. This adiposity is particularly evident near trabecular bone surfaces, where hyperplasia also occurs. The differential pattern of adiposity in patients with CS and GC-O highlights that bone marrow adipocytes and their progenitors may respond differently in these two GC-mediated bone diseases.

Corticosterone rapidly reduces glutamatergic but not GABAergic transmission in the infralimbic prefrontal cortex of male mice

Rapid non-genomic effects of corticosteroid hormones, affecting glutamatergic and GABAergic transmission, have been described for many limbic structures in the rodent brain. These rapid effects appear to be region specific. It is not always clear which (or even whether) corticosteroid receptor -the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) or mineralocorticoid receptor (MR)- initiate these rapid effects. In the hippocampus and amygdala membrane-associated MR, but also membrane-associated GR (in amygdala), are involved. Other studies indicate that the rapid modulation may be induced by transactivation of kinases, or other receptors, like the G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) which was recently found to bind the mineralocorticoid aldosterone. In the current study we explored, in young adult male C57Bl6 mice, possible rapid effects of corticosterone on layer 2/3 infralimbic-prefrontal cortex (IL-PFC) neurons. We show that corticosterone, via non-genomic MR activation, reduces the mEPSC -but does not affect mIPSC- frequency; we observed no effect on mEPSC or mIPSC amplitude. As a result, overall spontaneous activity in the IL-PFC is suppressed. A potential role of GPER cannot be excluded, since G-15, an antagonist of GPER, also prevented the rapid effects of corticosterone.

Comparative assessment of the functional state of the thyroid gland and the adrenal cortex in cats of different ages

The study of the secretory activity of the endocrine glands is one of the main methods for assessing their functional state and the health of animals in general. In the experiment, we studied the activity of thyroid and corticosteroid hormones in 20 healthy cats aged 1 to 14 years of different breeds and sexes. In the blood serum of the experimental animals, the concentration of total and free thyroxine, total and free triiodothyronine, adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol was determined by the enzyme immunoassay. The results of the study showed that the concentration of thyroid and corticosteroid hormones in the blood serum of cats differs markedly depending on age. the functional activity of the adrenal cortex is maximal in cats aged 5 months to 1 year (first group). Thus, in comparison with this group, the level of ACTH in the blood serum of cats of the second group (1-3 years old) significantly decreased by 15.8% (p≤0.05), the third (3-6 years old) and the fourth (animals over 6 years old). ) by 37.7 and 22.1%, respectively (p≤0.01). Also revealed a significant decrease in the concentration of cortisol in animals in the third and fourth groups by 22.1 and 26.8%, respectively, compared with the first group (p≤0.01). The least functional activity of the thyroid gland and adrenal cortex is observed in cats aged 6 years and older. The greatest functional activity of the adrenal cortex is observed in cats aged from 5 months to 1 year. The data obtained make it possible to more effectively detect disorders in the functioning of the thyroid and adrenal glands in animals, taking into account age-related changes.

Characteristics of morphological changes in the skin of patients with allergodermatoses during long-term external application of fluorined steroids

The article presents the results of studies of the effect of applying topical fluorinated glucocorticosteroids in combination with ceramides on the barrier function of the skin of experimental animals with allergic dermatoses (guinea pigs). The purpose of the work: substantiation of the inclusion of ceramides in the base of topical fluorinated steroid preparations for the treatment of allergic dermatoses by studying the morphological changes in the skin of guinea pigs after the application of the indicated means of various compositions. Materials and methods. Histological research was carried out on outbred guinea pigs of the same sex and condition (74 individuals). The animals were divided into separate groups depending on the applied drugs. The following combinations of drugs and, accordingly, guinea pigs were selected, which were divided as follows: IC – intact control (15 animals); O – base application (14); OC – base containing ceramides (15); FSt/kr – fluorinated steroids of strong action (betamethasone) (16); FStK/kr – fluorinated steroids of strong action (betamethasone) + ceramides (14). Results. In order to study the traumatic effect of topical steroids on the skin and the possibility of preventing morphological (atrophic) disorders, an experimental study of the morphology of the skin of guinea pigs was carried out on a model of atrophy caused by long-term (14 days) application of topical fluorinated steroids of various compositions. Applying the foundation to animals led to some thickening of the epidermal layer, while the morphology of the epidermis and the skin itself was not disturbed. The addition of ceramides led to the acceleration of proliferative processes and the development of proliferative acanthosis. Changes induced by betamethasone were noted mainly in the epidermis in the form of local atrophy of the epidermal layer. The addition of ceramides to a potent fluorinated steroid to some extent smoothed out the negative effects of the corticosteroid hormone. The average thickness of the epithelial layer increased by 2 times compared to the thickness of the epithelial layer of animals of the FSt/kr group and even slightly exceeded the indicators of intact animals. Vacuolar dystrophy of the cells of the spinous and granular layers occurred in all animals of the FStK/kr group. Lymphoid infiltration of the dermis, parakeratosis and acantholysis were not noted. Conclusions. The results of an experimental study of the effect of topical fluorinated steroids of different composition on the skin of guinea pigs indicate the existence of differences between the drugs in terms of their degree of action on the intensity and development of pathological processes in experimental animals. A comparison of the effect on the skin of classic topical steroids and those additionally containing ceramides indicates the possibility of preventing the traumatic effect of hormones, which is especially important for patients with filaggrin gene mutations.

KIE how to use Corticosteroid and Vitamins to Patients after Cataract Surgery at KMU Madura

The main cause (50%) of blindness in Indonesia is cataracts, cataracts are one of the main health problems in the elderly, the only way to overcome blindness due to cataracts is to perform cataract surgery. Cataracts are a common disease that is often suffered by the elderly, cataracts themselves are characterized by cloudiness in the lens of the eye so that it blocks clear vision, based on national data from the 2014-2016 Ministry of Health's rapis assessment of avoidable blindness needs survey, with the target population being the age group Over 50 years it is known that the blindness rate reaches 3% and cataracts is the highest cause of blindness (81%), representatives and association of Indonesian ophthalmologists dr. Aldiana Halim said that in 2017 there were 8 million people with visual impairments. As many as 1.6 million blind people, plus 6.4 million people with moderate to severe visual impairment, of these, 81.2% of visual impairment is caused by cataracts, other causes are reflex and glaucoma or eye disorders related to diabetes. Corticosteroids are natural steroid hormones in humans which are produced by the adrenal cortex gland and function to treat inflammation or autoimmune disorders in the body. the function of this corticosteroid class of drugs is the same as the corticosteroid hormone produced by the body. After cataract surgery, the doctor gives several drugs to the patient to prevent post-surgical complications including infection (given antibiotics for prophylaxis), dry eye syndrome (given artificial tear drops) and to reduce pain (given anti-inflammatories). This community service aims to increase the knowledge of post-cataract surgery patients about how to use corticosteroid eye drops and how long to use corticosteroid eye drops.