PurposeProgesterone has been reported to inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer and osteosarcoma cells; however, its inhibitory mechanism has not yet been clarified. The aim of the present study was to clarify the effects of progesterone on apoptosis in breast cancer (MCF-7) and human osteosarcoma (MG-63) cells.Materials and methodsIn this experimental study the cytotoxic effect of progesterone was measured in MCF-7 and MG-63 cells exposed to different concentrations of progesterone using MTT assay, and effective concentrations were identified. The expression levels of the Bax, P53 and Bcl-2 genes were evaluated by real-time PCR, and caspase-3, 8 and 9 activity levels were determined using a colorimetric method. Hoechst staining and flow cytometry were used to confirm apoptosis. The data were statistically analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent-samples t-test.ResultsCompared to the control group, we observed a significant increase in the expression levels of the Bax and P53 genes and the activity levels of caspase-3 and 9, and a significant decrease in the expression level of the Bcl-2 gene in MCF-7 and MG-63 treated with effective concentration of progesterone. The caspase-8 activity level did not change significantly in treated MG-63 but increased in treated MCF-7 cells. Hoechst staining and flow cytometry results confirmed apoptosis in the cells exposed to effective concentration of progesterone.ConclusionsThe cytotoxic effect of progesterone on breast cancer and osteosarcoma cells was mediated by apoptotic pathways. In this context, progesterone triggers the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways in MCF-7 cells and induces the intrinsic apoptotic pathway in MG-63 cells.

Background and Aim :Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders of women in reproductive age. Anovulation and hyperandrogenism due to PCOS are major causes of infertility. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the combined effect of Nigella Sativa hydro-alcoholic extract and honey on gonadotropins and sex hormones level inpolycystic ovary syndrome in rats. Materials and Methods: 40 adult Wistar rats, weighting 200 -220 g were divided randomly into 5 groups: including intact, Sham (letrozole solvent), PCOS and 2 experimental PCOS groups. Rats were treated with letrozole for 21 days to induce PCOS. In the experimental groups, PCOS rats were treated with 2 doses of combination 300mg/kg Nigella sativa extract with 1200mg/kg honey and 600mg/kg Nigella sativa extract with 2400mg/kg honey for 28 days. The serum levels of LH, FSH, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone were measured by ELISA method and each serum were analyzed using ANOVA and TUKEY statistical tests (P<0.05). Results: A significant decrease was seen in serum levels of LH, estrogen and testosterone (P<0.05) in PCOS group treated with maximum dose of combination of N. sativa extract and Honey compared with the PCOS group. Whereas, a significant increase in serum levels FSH in PCOS group treated with maximum dose and progesterone in the PCOS group treated with maximum and minimum dose of combination of N. sativa extract and Honey compared with the PCOS group (p< 0.05). Conclusion: Beneficial effects of combination of N. sativa extract and Honey was seen but further study is needed.

No abstract

Background. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common reproductive disorder in premenopausal women. This syndrome is also associated with many metabolic and cardiovascular complications. These complications are major risk factors for renal injury and kidney disease. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the types of functional and structural kidney injuries in a hyperandrogenic female rat model. Methods. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=10 each): control, sham, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Plasma total testosterone and kidney functional indices were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and colorimetric techniques. Ovarian and renal histological changes were also evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively by Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) staining. Results. Plasma total testosterone in the DHEA group increased about 9-fold compared to the control and sham groups. There was also a significant increase in Cr, BUN, and absolute excretion of sodium ion. Insignificant increases in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urine flow rate (V0), and absolute excretion of potassium ion were observed in DHEA group compared to other groups. However, significant damages were observed in the glomerular and tubular parts of the kidneys and the follicular parts of the ovaries in DHEA-receiving rats. Conclusion. Hyperandrogenemia is likely to cause systemic abnormalities through a variety of mechanisms, followed by obvious destruction of kidney and ovarian tissues. Accordingly, DHEA administration provides a useful animal model for studying the mechanism of PCOS-mediated renal injury. Practical Implications. The present study Findings can be helpful in identifying the mechanism of PCOS-induced renal injury, especially in younger women.

Objective(s): Atrazine is a widely used herbicide in agriculture. In the present study, the effects of this herbicide on the levels of pituitary-testis hormones in adult male rats were investigated. Materials and Methods: In total, 40 male Wister rats were used. These animals were randomly divided into five groups of eight: the control group which was left untreated, the sham group receiving solvent, and three experimental groups receiving (100mg/kg), (200mg/kg) and (400mg/kg) dosages of Atropine, respectively. Dosages of solvent and herbicide were injected intra peritoneally for 14 days, and afterward, blood samples were taken and serum levels of LH, FSH and testosterone were measured by RIA method. The body and testicular weights were also determined. The mean results were evaluated by ANOVA and Tukey test among the experimental and control groups. Results: Mean body weight showed significant decrease in experimental groups relative to control group. Testes weights were also decreased only in experimental groups receiving 200,400 (mg/kg) dosage of Atrazine. In addition, serum levels of LH showed a significant decrease in experimental groups receiving 200, 400(mg/kg) dosages of Atrazine, compared to the control group. Mean concentration FSH decresed significantly in the experimental groups receiving 400 (mg/kg) dose, while testosterone level decreased significantly in all the experimental groups, compared to the control group. Conclusion: Atrazine can interfere with food absorption mechanisms and cause body and testicular weight loss by increasing estrogen and decreasing testosterone levels. According to the results of present study and other investigations, this herbicide probably decreases the secretion of LH, FSH and testosterone concentrations through reducing the pituitary weight and secretion of GnRH from hypothalamus, thereby, decreasing the activities of pituitary-testis axis and spermatogenesis processes.