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The opioid system may exert positive direct and/or indirect effects on spermatogenesis at multiple levels including the levels of the central nervous system and at the testes/sperm levels. However, long term opioid use could be associated with several reproductive complications that place the users at risk of hypogonadism and even infertility. There is little available information regarding the contribution of opioids and their apoptotic effects on testis Sertoli cells. Here, the effects of DAMGO (mu opioid receptor’s agonist), DPDPE (delta opioid receptor’s agonist) and DYN 1-9 (kappa opioid receptor’s agonist) on Sertoli cell viability and apoptosis were investigated. METHODS: Cultured Sertoli cells were exposed to each agonist (0.1–100 μM, for 24 or 48 hours) and their apoptotic effects were investigated. RESULTS: Cell viability was decreased and apoptosis was increased in the cells exposed to DAMGO in a concentration- dependent manner, while in the cells exposed to DPDPE, no signifi cant changes were observed. In cells exposed to DYN 1-9, the viability did not signifi cantly change, however apoptosis increased signifi cantly, following the exposure to the high concentration of DYN 1-9. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that mu and Kappa, but not delta receptors mediated apoptosis in Sertoli cells may be involved, at least in part, in testicular homeostasis and/or reproductive dysfunction (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 52). Text in PDF www.elis.sk

Background: Esophageal cancer (EC) is a common cancer worldwide. Despite epidemiological studies, the etiology of EC is undetected. It was recommended that tobacco, alcohol, food carcinogens, and infectious agents may be involved in the pathogenesis of EC. Accumulating evidence suggests the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) on EC. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and association of HPV with EC. Methods: In this case-control study, 86 samples of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded esophageal tissues were gathered from the pathology laboratory, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Urmia, West Azerbaijan, Iran. A total of 43 samples were esophageal cancers (cases) and 43 samples were esophageal non-cancerous tissues (controls). The tissues were sectioned and deparaffinized, and deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted. The polymerase chain reaction test was conducted to detect HPV, using general (GP5+/GP6+) and type-specific (E6/E7) primers. HPV types were confirmed by sequencing. The data were analyzed by the SPSS software. Results: Out of 86 samples, 23 (26.74%) were positive for HPV (15 cases, and 8 controls). By type-specific primers, high-risk HPVs were detected in the cases (3 HPV-16, 10 HPV-18, 1 HPV-31, and 1 HPV-33) and the controls (6 HPV-18, 1 HPV-31, and 1 HPV-33). No significant association was observed between HPV and EC (P = 0.078). Conclusions: Although no significant association was observed between HPV and EC, high-risk HPV genotypes were found in esophageal cancers more than non-cancerous esophageal tissues. To confirm this result, more studies should be carried out in other populations.

While many adjuvants have been discovered and used in research, only a few adjuvants have been permitted for use with human vaccination. We have previously shown that the administration of naloxone (NLX), a general opioid antagonist, during infection with a non-virulent strain of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) could enhance protection against HSV-1 challenge. Here, the adjuvant activity of NLX has been evaluated using a DNA vaccine for HSV-1 as a model. BALB/c mice were divided into four groups; for experimental groups, mice received the glycoprotein D1 (gD1) DNA vaccine alone or in combination with the adjuvant NLX. A positive control group received the KOS strain of HSV-1, and a negative control group received PBS. All mice were immunized three times on days 0, 21 and 42. Three weeks after the last immunization, immune responses against HSV-1 were assessed. Our results indicate that the administration of NLX as an adjuvant increased the ability of the gD1 DNA vaccine to enhance cytolytic T lymphocyte activity, lymphocyte proliferation, delayed-type hypersensitivity and shifting the immune response toward a T helper (Th)1 pattern and improved protective immunity against HSV-1. NLX also increased the IgG2a/IgG1 ratio, though it did not affect the production of HSV-1 antiserum. In conclusion, administration of NLX as an adjuvant in combination with the gD1 DNA vaccine can enhance cell-mediated immunity and shift the immune responses to Th1.