Search

Summary: We propose a new hypothesis pointing of a functional hypoxia in vasa vasorum, which might explain the initiation and the early development of the atherosclerosis in the deep layer of intima. Since vasa vasorum are end arteries, they easily develop hypoxia and/or ischemia in the cells of intima or media of arterial wall. The most vulnerable sites for hypoxia are the arterial bifurcations due to the anatomical and physiological reasons. They are also known to be the most common sites of atherosclerosis. The known risk factors for atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and nicotine, reduce the blood flow in the end branches of the vasa vasorum. The local ischemia will affect the endothelial cell structure and causes a local inflammation, which, in turn, makes it permeable to large particles such as microbes and LDL-lipoproteins and other fatty acids, which are phagocytozed by macrophages transforming them into foam cells. The present hypothesis explains most problems of the previous theories and offers a logical sequence of the events involved in the development of atherosclerosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article presents an abstract of the study "Expression of Trap220 in Developing and Adult Rat Central Nervous System." The study will be presented at a joint meeting of the International Society for Neurochemistry and the European Society for Neurochemistry which will be organized in Berlin, Germany, from August 8-14, 1999. The study revealed the significant role played by thyroid hormone receptor-associated protein in processes of growth and differentiation of neural tissues.

Abstract: Exploration of the long elevated alley (the rat Suok test) enables behavioural characterisation of anxiety, activity and neurological phenotypes in rats. Here we show that this new test is sensitive to different types of anxiety in rats, including drugs (pentylenetetrazole)-induced, light-induced and socially induced (encounter with an unfamiliar male) anxiety, as assessed by reduced Suok test horizontal, vertical, directed exploration and stops. High anxiety also leads to higher motor incoordination (as assessed by the number of falls and hind-paw slips), suggesting that this test may be used for combined profiling of anxiety, motor-vestibular anomalies and anxiety-induced motor incoordination in rats. This new behavioural paradigm may be widely used in neurobehavioural stress research, including modelling of stress-evoked states and pharmacological screening of psychotropic drugs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Here, we study the role of a neurosteroid hormone Vitamin D in epilepsy. To examine this problem, we used 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, an active form of Vitamin D, injected subcutaneously to NMRI mice (33μg/20μl) 40min prior to seizures induced by systemic injection of pentylenenetrazole (PTZ, 70mg/kg). Overall, compared to the vehicle-treated control animals (n =11 in each group), the Vitamin D-treated mice demonstrated reduced severity of PTZ-induced seizures (longer latency, shorter duration and lower mortality). In a separate experiment, we assessed the time-course of antiepileptic effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. For this, we injected this compound (33μg/20μl) to NMRIx129S1 mice (n =11) 40min, 3, 6, 12 and 24h prior to seizures, showing that antiepileptic effects were short-term, almost disappearing 3h after administration. Our findings show that Vitamin D plays a direct anticonvulsant role in the brain and suggest that the Vitamin D endocrine system may represent a new target for the development of anticonvulsant drugs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: 1α,25–dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1α,25(OH)2D3 or calcitriol) is an active hormone that regulates cellular proliferation and induces apoptosis in cancer cells. Here we report on a new calcitriol target gene in prostate cancer cells, tumour necrosis factor α (TNF–α). Calcitriol and its analogue CB1093 up–regulate TNF–α mRNA expression in LNCaP and PC–3 cells. The stimulation is dose–dependent in both of these cell lines, demonstrated by the quantitative real–time polymerase chain reaction. Calcitriol and CB1093 act synergistically with human recombinant TNF–α in activation of TNF–α mRNA expression in LNCaP but not in PC–3 cells. Transcriptional activation of TNF–α gene by calcitriol or CB1093 does not lead to TNF–α protein secretion, however calcitriol and CB1093 enhance TPA–stimulated TNF–α production in LNCaP cells. We did not observe any significant effect of calcitriol on regulation of TNFR1 at the level of gene expression. Nor does calcitriol affect transcriptional regulation of cytokine (IL–1, IL–6) and cytokine receptor genes in LNCaP and PC–3 prostate cancer cell lines. Calcitriol and its analogue CB1093 at 10 nM concentration induce programmed cell death in LNCaP cells. Combined addition of human recombinant TNF–α with calcitriol or CB1093 cause enhanced effect in induction of apoptosis. We conclude that under physiological conditions vitamin D activates only the transcription of TNF–α gene, for TNF–α protein synthesis additional cofactors are required. Therefore a cooperation of vitamin D and TNF–α may play an important role in the control of cell growth in prostate cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Estrogens and androgens are proposed to play a role in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. The effective metabolites, estradiol and 5α-dihydrotestosterone are produced from testosterone by aromatase and 5α-reductase, respectively. Metabolites of vitamin D have shown to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to verify whether 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3), 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1α,25-(OH)2D3], dexamethasone, and progesterone regulate the expression of aromatase and 5α-reductase in human prostate cancer cells. LNCaP and PC3 cells were treated with 25OHD3, 1α,25-(OH)2D3, dexamethasone, or progesterone. Aromatase and 5α-reductase mRNA was quantified by real-time RT-PCR and aromatase enzyme activity was measured by the [3H] water assay. Aromatase enzyme activity in LNCaP and PC3 cells was increased by both 10nM dexamethasone, 1–100nM 1α,25-(OH)2D3 and 100nM–10μM progesterone. The induction was enhanced when hormones were used synergistically. Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed no regulation of the expression of aromatase mRNA by any steroids tested in either LNCaP or PC3 cells. The expression of 5α-reductase type I mRNA was not regulated by 1α,25-(OH)2D3 and no expression of 5α-reductase type II was detected in LNCaP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A20 is a TNF-inducible primary response gene and its product, a zinc finger protein, has antiapoptotic function in several cancer cells. We studied A20 gene expression in the Vitamin D- and TNF-sensitive LNCaP cell line and in the Vitamin D- and TNF-resistant PC-3 cell line. The results of the quantitative real-time RT-PCR analyses demonstrated that the basal level of A20 mRNA production in PC-3 cells was considerably higher than in LNCaP cells that is associated with the resistance of PC-3 cells. TNF induced A20 gene expression in both cell lines, but with different effect. A20 mRNA expression was down-regulated by 10nM calcitriol within 3–9h after treatment and up-regulated by androgen reaching maximal values by 6h after stimulation in LNCaP cells. We conclude that A20 may be involved in the regulation of cell proliferation by TNF, Vitamin D, and androgen in prostate cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract TRAP220 (thyroid hormone receptor-associated protein) is a recently cloned nuclear receptor coactivator, which interacts with several nuclear receptors in a ligand-dependent manner and stimulates transcription by recruiting the TRAP mediator complex to hormone responsive promoter regions. TRAP220 has been shown to interact with thyroid hormone receptors, vitamin D receptors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, retinoic acid receptors and oestrogen receptors. Thyroid hormone and retinoic acid play very important roles in brain development and they also influence adult brain. Using in situ hybridization we have examined expression of TRAP220 mRNA in the central nervous system during development and in adult rat and mouse brain. Expression of TRAP220 was seen already during early embryonic development in the epithelium of neural tube at E9 in mouse and at E12 in rat. At later stages of development the strongest signal was seen in different layers of cerebral neocortex, external germinal layer of cerebellum, differentiating fields of hippocampus and neuroepithelium, and a moderate signal was detected in basal ganglia, different areas of diencephalon and midbrain. In adult rat brain the signal was more restricted than during development. TRAP220 expression occurred mostly in the granular layer of cerebellar cortex, piriform cortex and hippocampal formation. The signal was found predominantly in neurons. Our work supports the assumption that TRAP220 plays an important role in growth and differentiation of central nervous system and may have a function in certain areas of adult brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundTo evaluate the individual and combined effects of enterolactone, vitamin D, free testosterone,Chlamydia trachomatisand HPV-18 on the risk of prostate cancer in a large population-based biochemical material that combined three Nordic serum sample banks.Material and methodsA joint cohort of 209 000 healthy men was followed using cancer registry linkages. From this cohort altogether 699 incident cases of prostate cancer were identified. Four controls were selected by incidence density sampling and matching for country, age and date of the blood sampling. Complete data for all investigated exposures was available for 483 eligible cases and 1055 eligible controls. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to investigate the solitary and combined effects.ResultsThe solitary effects were small. Significantly increased risk [rate ratio 1.6 (95% CI 1.0–2.5)] was found in those seronegative forC. trachomatisinfection. The joint effect in risk levels of enterolactone and vitamin D was antagonistic [observed rate ratio (RR) 1.4 (1.0–2.1), expected RR 2.0 (1.0–4.1)] as well as that of HPV-18 andC. trachomatis[observed RR 1.9 (0.8–4.5), expected RR 9.9 (1.1–87.0)].ConclusionA large follow-up study combining data from several previously investigated exposures to investigate joint effects found no evidence that exposure to two risk factors would increase the risk of prostate cancer from that expected on basis of exposure to one risk factor. If anything, the results were consistent with antagonistic interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The objective of the study was to compare Bacillus subtilis spore film dosimeters with a Robertson Berger UV meter (RB meter) and diary records for assessing personal UV-B doses during a 13-day heliotherapy (HT) for atopic dermatitis (AD). In addition, the relationship between the personal UV-B dose and change in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was studied. Altogether 21 adult patients with AD completed the study arranged in the Canary Islands, either in January or March 2005. The spore film dosimeters were used throughout the day during the HT. Serum 25(OH)D was analyzed using radioimmunoassay. The mean personal UV-B dose measured with the dosimeters was 75 SED in January and 131 SED in March. The respective results gained from the RB meter combined with diary records were 63 SED and 119 SED showing a close correlation with the dosimeter results. Serum 25(OH)D concentration increased by 9.7 nmol L−1 in January and by 26.0 7 nmol L−1 in March. The increase in serum 25(OH)D correlated with the UV-B dose received. The patients complied well to use the dosimeters. We conclude spore films to be a feasible and reliable personal UV dosimeter in vivo in field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 1α-hydroxylase encoded by CYP27B1 converts 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 into 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, a vitamin D receptor ligand. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 has been regarded as a prohormone. Using Cyp27b1 knockout cells and a 1α-hydroxylase-specific inhibitor we provide in four cellular systems, primary mouse kidney, skin, prostate cells and human MCF-7 breast cancer cells, evidence that 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 has direct gene regulatory properties. The high expression of megalin, involved in 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 internalisation, in Cyp27b1 −/− cells explains their higher sensitivity to 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 action depends on the vitamin D receptor signalling supported by the unresponsiveness of the vitamin D receptor knockout cells. Molecular dynamics simulations show the identical binding mode for both 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 with the larger volume of the ligand-binding pocket for 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Furthermore, we demonstrate direct anti-proliferative effects of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in human LNCaP prostate cancer cells. The synergistic effect of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 with 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in Cyp27b1 −/− cells further demonstrates the agonistic action of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and suggests that a synergism between 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 might be physiologically important. In conclusion, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 is an agonistic vitamin D receptor ligand with gene regulatory and anti-proliferative properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: Several laboratory and epidemiological studies have inversely linked endogenous vitamin D and the risk of breast cancer. The acquisition of vitamin D over time on the relative risk (RR) of the disease development is not known. In a longitudinal study, we evaluated the association between vitamin D levels at pregnancy over time with the risk of breast cancer, and pregnancy-associated breast cancer. Method: The risk for subsequent development of breast cancer associated with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin (25-OHD) levels was assessed for consecutive (1st and 2nd pregnancy) samples of 100 cases, with mean lag times (μt ) of 7.4 and 4.6 years between sampling and the diagnosis, and matched (parity, age, year, season) controls. Pregnancy-associated breast cancer (PABC, 111 case–control pairs, μt =1year) risk was also studied. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using the lowest quintile as the reference. Results: Serum 25-OHD level was not associated with an increased risk neither at the 1st nor at the 2nd pregnancy samples (OR=1.4, 95%CI 0.6–3.4; OR 1.4, 95%CI 0.7–2.8, respectively), but was associated with an increased risk of PABC (OR=2.7, 95%CI 1.04–6.7). Conclusion: Generally, vitamin D may not be related to breast cancer risk but the increased PABC risk fits the association of vitamin D with the most aggressive cancers, and warrants caution with vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Introduction: Ecological and experimental studies suggest that vitamin D may be associated with a reduced risk of ovarian cancer. In this study, we sought to determine the risk of developing ovarian cancer according to serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) concentrations assessed on average 5 years before the diagnosis. Methods: We conducted a population-based longitudinal case–control study nested within the Finnish Maternity Cohort (FMC) which contains serum samples of virtually all pregnant women in Finland since 1983. Among them, 201 ovarian cancers diagnosed within 10 years of serum sampling were randomly selected as cases for this study. For each case, we selected two controls matched for age, parity and sampling season (±4 weeks) and one control matched for age and parity but for the opposite sampling season (6 months±4 weeks). Results: The relative risks (estimated as odds ratio, OR) for ovarian cancer comparing the lowest quintile to the highest quintile of serum 25-OHD concentration were 1.8 (95% CI 0.9–3.5) among controls matched for the same season, and 1.1 (95% CI 0.6–2.2) among controls matched for the opposite season. The OR among women with insufficient (<75nmol/L) serum 25-OHD concentration was 2.7 (95% CI 1.0–7.9, lower limit, 0.95) compared to that among those with sufficient (⩾75nmol/L) serum 25-OHD concentration. No differences in the point estimates were observed between serous or mucinous histological subtypes of ovarian cancer. Conclusion: Overall, we did not observe a significant association between serum 25-OHD concentrations and the risk of ovarian cancer. However, we found evidence suggestive of an increased risk among women with low to insufficient serum 25-OHD concentrations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hypervitaminosis vitamin D3 has been recently implicated in premature aging through the regulation of 1alpha hydroxylase expression by klotho and fibroblast growth factor-23 (Fgf-23). Here we examined whether the lack of hormonal function of vitamin D3 in mice is linked to aging phenomena. For this, we used vitamin D3 receptor (VDR) “Tokyo” knockout (KO) mice (fed with a special rescue diet) and analyzed their growth, skin and cerebellar morphology, as well as overall motor performance. We also studied the expression of aging-related genes, such as Fgf-23, nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB), p53, insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and IGF1 receptor (IGF1R), in liver, as well as klotho in liver, kidney and prostate tissues. Overall, VDR KO mice showed several aging related phenotypes, including poorer survival, early alopecia, thickened skin, enlarged sebaceous glands and development of epidermal cysts. There was no difference either in the structure of cerebellum or in the number of Purkinje cells. Unlike the wildtype controls, VDR KO mice lose their ability to swim after 6 months of age. Expression of all the genes was lower in old VDR KO mice, but only NF-kappaB, Fgf-23, p53 and IGF1R were significantly lower. Since the phenotype of aged VDR knockout mice is similar to mouse models with hypervitaminosis D3, our study suggests that VDR genetic ablation promotes premature aging in mice, and that vitamin D3 homeostasis regulates physiological aging. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The vitamin D endocrine system is essential for calcium and bone homeostasis. Vitamin D deficits are associated with muscle weakness and osteoporosis, whereas vitamin D supplementation may improve muscle function, body sway and frequency of falls, growth and mineral homeostasis of bones. The loss of muscle strength and mass, as well as deficits in bone formation, lead to poor balance. Poor balance is one of the main causes of falls, and may lead to dangerous injuries. Here we examine balance functions in vitamin D receptor deficient (VDR−/−) mice, an animal model of vitamin D-dependent rickets type II, and in 1α-hydroxylase deficient (1α-OHase−/−) mice, an animal model of pseudovitamin D-deficiency rickets. Recently developed methods (tilting box, rotating tube test), swim test, and modified accelerating rotarod protocol were used to examine whether the absence of functional VDR, or the lack of a key vitamin D-activating enzyme, could lead to mouse vestibular dysfunctions. Overall, VDR−/− mice, but not 1α-OHase−/− mice, showed shorter latency to fall from the rotarod, smaller fall angle in the tilting box test, and aberrant poor swimming. These data suggest that VDR deficiency in mice is associated with decreased balance function, and may be relevant to poorer balance/posture control in humans with low levels of vitamin D. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Vitamin D insufficiency has been reported to be associated with increased blood cholesterol concentrations. Here we used two strains of VDR knock-out (VDR-KO) mice to study whether a lack of vitamin D action has any effect on cholesterol metabolism. In 129S1 mice, both in male and female VDR-KO mice serum total cholesterol levels were significantly higher than those in wild type (WT) mice (20.7% (P =0.05) and 22.2% (P =0.03), respectively). In addition, the serum high-density lipoprotein-bound cholesterol (HDL-C) level was 22% (P =0.03), respectively higher in male VDR-KO mice than in WT mice. The mRNA expression levels of five cholesterol metabolism related genes in livers of 129S1 mice were studied using quantitative real-time PCR (QRT-PCR): ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), regulatory element binding protein (SREBP2), apolipoprotein A-I (ApoAI), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and liver X receptor beta (LXRβ). In the mutant male mice, the mRNA level of ApoAI and LXRβ were 49.2% (P =0.005) and 38.8% (P =0.034) higher than in the WT mice. These changes were not observed in mutant female mice, but the female mutant mice showed 52.5% (P =0.006) decrease of SREBP2 mRNA expression compared to WT mice. Because the mutant mice were fed with a special rescue diet, we wanted to test whether the increased cholesterol levels in mutant mice were due to the diet. Both the WT and mutant NMRI mice were given the same diet for 3 weeks before the blood sampling. No difference in cholesterol or in HDL-C between WT and mutant mice was found. The results suggest that the food, gender and genetic background have an effect on the cholesterol metabolism. Although VDR seems to regulate some of the genes involved in cholesterol metabolism, its role in the regulation of serum cholesterol seems to be minimal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Vitamin D is a seco-steroid hormone with multiple actions in the brain, mediated through the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR). We have recently shown that mutant mice lacking functional VDR demonstrate altered emotional behavior and specific motor deficits. Here we further examine phenotype of these mice, testing their novelty responses, as well as cognitive and sensory (olfactory and gustatory) functions in the novel food, two-trial Y-maze and tastant consumption tests. In addition, we study depression-like behavior in these mice, using anhedonia-based sucrose preference test. Overall, VDR mutant mice showed neophobic response in several different tests, but displayed unimpaired olfactory and gustatory functions, spatial memory and baseline hedonic responses. Collectively, these data confirm that mutation of VDR in mice leads to altering emotional/anxiety states, but does not play a major role in depression, as well as in the regulation of some sensory and cognitive processes. These results support the role of the vitamin D/VDR neuroendocrine system in the regulation of behavior, and may have clinical relevance, enabling a better focus on psychiatric and behavioral disorders associated with dysfunctions in this neuroendocrine system. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: 1α,25(OH)2D3, the hormonal form of vitamin D, is a neuroactive seco-steroid hormone with multiple functions in the brain. Most of these effects are mediated through the nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR), widely distributed in the central nervous system. Our earlier studies showed that mutant mice lacking functional VDR have specific behavioural abnormalities, including anxiety and aberrant maternal behaviour, which may be hormonally regulated. Here we describe impaired nest building behaviour in VDR mutant mice. Since prolactin plays a key role in the regulation of nest building in both sexes, we also examine whether VDR mutant mice have altered prolactin levels. Overall, serum prolactin levels were increased in VDR mutant mice, accompanied by marked impairments in their nest building activity. In contrast, there were no differences in prolactin mRNA expression levels between wildtype control mice and VDR mutant mice. Collectively, these data suggest that partial genetic ablation of VDR affects prolactin system in mice, and that altered serum prolactin levels in VDR mutants may underlie some of their behavioural abnormalities, such as impaired nest building. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: F1 and F2 mouse hybrids derived from different parental strains are becoming a useful tool in behavioral research, underlining the importance of their in-depth behavioral phenotyping. 129S1/SvImJ (S1), C57BL/6 (B6), NMRI (N) and BALB/c (BC) mice are commonly used in behavioral neuroscience, demonstrating marked behavioral differences. Here, we assess behavioral phenotypes of male mice of S1 and several hybrid strains (S1B6, S1N, S1BC) in a battery of behavioral tests, including the open field, novel odor exposure, novelty-induced grooming, horizontal rod (Suok) and the elevated plus maze tests. In addition, we assessed aggression and social barbering in these strains. Overall, the substantial differences observed here between these strains allow us to determine the influence of different genetic backgrounds on mouse behaviors, and more fully understand how different strain-specific behaviors overlap in the F1 progeny. Our results imply complex interplay between parental genotypes in anxiety, activity, grooming, aggression and barbering of their F1 progeny, further confirming the utility of F1 hybrids in behavioral neurogenetics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Vitamin D is a steroid hormone with many important functions in the brain, mediated through the nuclear Vitamin D receptor (VDR). Mounting clinical data link VDR mutations to various psychiatric phenotypes. We have reported previously that mutant mice lacking functional VDR (“Tokyo” VDR mutant mice) display several behavioural anomalies, including high anxiety and aberrant grooming. Given the important role of Vitamin D and VDR in brain development and functioning, we hypothesized that several other important behavioural domains may be affected by disruption of the VDR gene in mice. Here we report that VDR mutants display unaffected depressive-like behaviour, but show abnormal social behaviours, reduced social barbering and aggressiveness, impaired nest building and aberrant maternal (pup neglect, cannibalism) behaviours. Taken together, these findings confirm the important role postulated for the VDR in the regulation of behaviour, and suggest the mice lacking functional VDR may be a useful tool to model different brain disorders. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We investigated behavioural activity and temporal distribution (patterning) of mouse exploration in different open field (OF) arenas. Mice of 129S1 (S1) strain were subjected in parallel to three different OF arenas (Experiment 1), two different OF arenas in two trials (Experiment 2) or two trials of the same OF test (Experiment 3). Overall, mice demonstrated a high degree of similarity in the temporal profile of novelty-induced horizontal and vertical exploration (regardless of the size, colour and shape of the OF), which remained stable in subsequent OF exposures. In Experiments 4 and 5, we tested F1 hybrid mice (BALB/c-S1; NMRI-S1), and Vitamin D receptor knockout mice (generated on S1 genetic background), again showing strikingly similar temporal patterns of their OF exploration, despite marked behavioural strain differences in anxiety and activity. These results suggest that mice are characterised by stability of temporal organization of their exploration in different OF novelty situations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Vitamin D is a neuroactive steroid hormone with multiple functions in the brain. Numerous clinical and experimental data link various Vitamin D-related dysfunctions to epilepsy. Here, we study the role of Vitamin D receptors (VDRs) in experimental epilepsy in mice. To examine this problem, we assessed the seizure profiles in VDR knockout mice following a systemic injection of pentylenetetrazole (70mg/kg). Overall, compared to the wild-type (WT) 129S1 mice (n =10 in each group), the VDR knockout group significantly demonstrated shorter latencies to the onset, higher Racine scores and increased mortality rates. Our findings suggest that VDRs modulate seizure susceptibility in mice, and that the Vitamin D/VDR endocrine system may be involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3-24-hydroxylase (24-hydroxylase) is an important inactivating enzyme and its expression is induced by 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) and 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1α,25-(OH)2D3) through action of heterodimers of vitamin D receptor (VDR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR). RXRs also act as heterodimer partners for retinoic acid receptors (RARs), mediating the action of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA). Prostate stroma plays a crucial role in prostate cancer development and benign prostatic hyperplasia. We demonstrate here that ATRA markedly reduced the expression of 24-hydroxylase mRNA induced by 25OHD3 and 1α,25-(OH)2D3 in human prostatic stromal cells P29SN and P32S but not in epithelial cells PrEC or cancer cells LNCaP. By using transfection and RAR-selective ligands, we found that the inhibitory effect of ATRA on 24-hydroxylase expression in stromal cells was mediated by RARα but not by RARβ. Moreover, the ATRA-induced expression of RARβ was also mediated by RARα. The combined treatment of 1α,25-(OH)2D3 and RARα agonist Am80 at 10nM exhibited strong growth-inhibitory effect whereas either alone had no effect. Our data suggest that ATRA suppresses 24-hydroxylase expression through RARα-dependent signaling pathway and can enhance vitamin D action in suppression of cell growth. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Calcitriol, a hormonal form of Vitamin D, regulates growth of normal and cancer cells of various origins by modulation of peptide growth factors signaling. Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) signaling pathway is involved in prostate cancer progression. We studied the expression of PDGF receptors in human prostate primary stromal cells and cancer epithelial cell lines and growth response to PDGF-BB isoform. We found that the expression of PDGF receptors and PDGF-BB-mediated cell growth are regulated by calcitriol in prostate cells. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed a lower level of mRNA for PDGF receptors in LNCaP and PC-3 cells than in primary stromal cells. Western blotting showed a high amount of PDGFRα and β proteins in primary stromal cells that could not be detected in LNCaP, which may explain the resistance of LNCaP cells to growth-promoting effect of PDGF-BB. Addition of Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) to the culture medium induces the expression of PDGFRβ and restores responsiveness of LNCaP to PDGF-BB to some extent. Calcitriol down-regulates PDGFRβ expression and negatively regulates PDGF-mediated cell growth. Calcitriol does not affect PDGFRα and PDGF-B mRNA expression. We suggest that inhibition of PDGFRβ expression by calcitriol might reduce responsiveness of prostate cells to mitogenic action of PDGF-BB. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Vitamin D is a steroid hormone with several important functions in the nervous system. Numerous human and animal data link alterations in the vitamin D system to various behavioral disorders. Grooming is an important element of rodent behavior with a general pattern of cephalocaudal progression (paw licking – nose/face wash – body wash – tail/genitals wash). Here we studied whether genetic ablation of vitamin D nuclear receptors (VDR) in mice may be associated with altered behavioral sequencing of grooming. Overall, VDR null mutant mice showed abnormal grooming, including a higher percentage of “incorrect” transitions and longer duration of “incorrect” grooming (contrary to the cephalocaudal progression); a higher percentage of interrupted grooming bouts; and the atypical regional distribution of grooming (more leg grooming, less body and tail/genitals grooming), compared to their wild-type controls. Grooming of heterozygous mice was similar to the wild-type group, indicating that abnormal grooming patterning is inherited as a recessive. In contrast, behavioral sequencing of another complex behavior (mating with a female) was unaltered in all three genotypes, suggesting grooming-specific abnormal sequencing in these mutant mice. Our results suggest that a neurosteroid vitamin D and VDR may play an important role in controlling sequencing of grooming in mice, and further confirm the important role of the vitamin D system and VDR in the regulation of behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Activins and inhibins are polypeptide hormones/growth factors of primarily gonadal origin. In the ovary, activins and inhibins are primarily synthesized by granulosa cells. Serum inhibin measurements have been used for the follow-up of patients with granulosa-cell tumors (GCT) after surgery.Methods: We have employed a recently developed assay to study whether activin B (A) measurements can be used as a marker of progression of GCTs. Additionally, these measurements have been compared with simultaneously run inhibin measurements using a commercial assay. Serum samples of three patients suffering from GCTs (all stage Ia) were collected at primary surgery and at controls thereafter.Results: In patient AM, serum inhibin levels have remained elevated while A levels are low; there has been no evidence of a residual tumor. In patient AR, there has been no clinical evidence of a residual tumor, and both serum A and inhibin levels have remained low. In patient PP, a residual tumor was found 6 years after primary surgery; at the time A levels were elevated, while inhibin levels remained low.Conclusion: We introduce A as a promising new marker for postoperative follow-up of patients suffering from GCTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]