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Biomedical subjects

A Bergh

Publications and source records attributed to A Bergh.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

The human chorionic gonadotrophin-induced inflammation-like response is enhanced in macrophage-depleted rat testes.

Liposome-entrapped dichloromethylene diphosphonate (Cl2MDP) was injected locally into the right testes of adult rats in order to deplete testicular macrophages. The number of testicular macrophages in the treated testes was reduced by at least 90% at 7 and 14 days after treatment. Unilaterally testicular macrophage-depleted animals were treated with 100 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) subcutaneously and the inflammatory response was compared in the macrophage-depleted and intact contralateral testis. Four hours after hCG treatment, intratesticular testosterone was similarly increased in intact and macrophage-depleted testes. In macrophage-depleted testes there was a large increase in the number of leukocytes in testicular blood vessels and numerous leukocytes had migrated into the interstitial tissue. This response was greater than in the intact contralateral testis. It was concluded that testicular macrophages are probably not the origin of the inflammatory mediator secreted in the rat testis after hCG treatment. On the contrary, it appears that testicular macrophages may secrete factors inhibiting hCG-induced testicular inflammation.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Effects of 6-methylene progesterone on growth, morphology, and blood flow of the Dunning R3327 prostatic adenocarcinoma.

Copenhagen x Fisher F1 rats were implanted with the androgen-dependent Dunning R3327 prostatic adenocarcinoma. When the tumors had median volumes of ca 470 mm3, the rats were castrated and/or treated with 6-methylene-4-pregnene-3,20-dione (6MP) in different doses. Tumor growth inhibition occurred in all castrated and treated groups, with decrease in volume of the epithelial compartment in the intact group. Tumor volumes at the highest dose level of 6MP equalled those observed in the castrate group. Plasma levels of testosterone were within the normal range. The administration of 6MP surprisingly induced an increment of tumor blood flow in the castrate group. Also in castrated and testosterone-supplemented animals, 6MP induced a reduction of prostatic tumor growth. Through the castration-like effect on tumor growth, the use of 6MP may represent an attractive alternative to castration for treatment of androgen-responsive prostate cancer.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

Estrogen treatment of Dunning tumors in castrated rats: qualitative and quantitative morphology.

Adult male rats bearing the Dunning R3327 prostatic carcinoma were randomized to the following treatments: intact controls, castration, and castration + estrogen. After a study period for 6 weeks the rats were killed and the tumors were analyzed morphometrically to determine the amount of epithelium, stroma, and connective tissue fibers in the tumors, and the nuclear size of large stromal cells. Cryostat sections were analyzed with immunohistochemistry using a panel of antibodies against cytokeratins, desmin, vimentin, fibronectin and collagens. Addition of estrogen to castration resulted in an inhibition of tumor growth. The expression of cytokeratin 14 (a marker for basal myoepithelial cells) was reduced, but the expression of cytokeratin 18 (a marker for the luminal epithelial cells) was unaffected by estrogen. The amounts of collagen I, III and fibronectin (plasma and cellular types) were increased in the stroma, and the nuclear size of large stromal cells was also increased by estrogen. It is concluded that castration + estrogen treatment has effects in the epithelium and stroma of Dunning tumors that are qualitatively and quantitatively different from the effects of castration alone.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

Interleukin-2-induced growth inhibition of prostatic adenocarcinoma (Dunning R3327) in rats.

The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of a biological response modifier, interleukin-2 (IL-2), on the growth in rats of Dunning (R3327, androgen sensitive) prostatic adenocarcinoma. IL-2 was given to one group of tumour-bearing rats by subcutaneous infusion (Alzet micro-osmotic pump 2002, 14 days) of 424,286 IU/kg per day during 4 weeks. Another group was sham-operated and served as control. Tumour growth was calculated by weekly measurement of tumour volume. IL-2 treatment caused a significant growth delay without any significant toxicity. Plasma testosterone concentrations were similar in both groups and ventral prostatic weights did not differ. Morphometric analyses of epithelial cells, stroma, luminal compartment in tumour tissue and calculation of the number of intratumoral lymphocytes did not show any differences between the two groups. It is suggested that IL-2 treatment can decrease prostatic tumour growth without apparently affecting the testosterone metabolism. Further studies with special interest on the mechanism of action are justified.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

Studies on the distribution of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like and substance P-like immunoreactivities in rat hind limb muscles.

The tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles in the rat were examined with respect to the presence of calcitonin gene-related peptide-like as well as substance P-like immunoreactivity. In some of the motor endplates in these muscles, identified by staining for acetylcholinesterase activity, calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity was detected, but in others it was not. Calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity was found to coexist with substance-P-like immunoreactivity in nerve fibres located outside and inside the capsule of the muscle spindles, as well as in nerve fibres located in nerve fascicles. These fibres presumably represent sensory nerve fibres. Calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity, but not substance P-like immunoreactivity, was also detected in cap-like structures located on the surface of the intrafusal muscle fibres in the polar regions of the spindles, structures which are likely to correspond to motor plate endings. The observations suggest that calcitonin gene-related peptide is heterogeneously present in the endplates of rat hind limb muscles, and gives for the first time immunohistochemical evidence for the presence of calcitonin gene-related peptide and substance P in the innervation of muscle spindles.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Dose/response study of the effects of oestrogens on tumour growth and morphology in the Dunning R3327 prostatic adenocarcinoma.

The present study was undertaken to investigate to what extent the oestrogen-induced effects on growth and morphology of the Dunning R3327 rat prostatic adenocarcinoma are dose-dependent. Castrated and testosterone-supplemented rats were used in order to study effects of increasing doses of oestrogens on the tumour. It was found that the lowest dose of oestradiol-17 beta that reduced the overall growth, the volume density of the epithelium and epithelial cell area in Dunning R3327 prostatic tumours is 10 micrograms given as daily injections. Higher oestrogen doses (50 micrograms, 200 micrograms, and 500 micrograms), in addition to reducing the volume of tumour epithelium, also induced an increase of the volume density of tumour stroma. The area of stroma cell nuclei was increased by 50 micrograms and 200 micrograms oestradiol-17 beta. These observation, may indicate that the lowest effective oestrogen dose is different in the epithelium and stroma of Dunning tumours and that large doses of oestrogen stimulate the stromal compartment. This stimulatory effect did not influence the inhibitory effects seen on the overall growth of the tumour and on the tumor epithelium.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1992

Does follicle-stimulating hormone or pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin influence testicular blood flow in rats?

Treatment of adult rats with 25 iu follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) did not influence testicular blood flow, serum testosterone, vasomotion or intravascular leucocyte concentration at 6, 12 and 24 h after treatment. Treatment of adult rats with 50 iu pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG) resulted in a two-fold increase in testicular blood flow at 24 h, and an increase in interstitial fluid volume at 36 h after treatment. This PMSG-induced increase in blood flow did not occur in Leydig cell-depleted animals, suggesting that the effect on blood flow is mediated via the Leydig cells. PMSG injection stimulated testosterone secretion but it did not influence vasomotion, and it only marginally increased the secretion of leucotactic factors in the testis. The present study suggests that FSH has no apparent effects on testicular blood flow and that the effects of PMSG (a hormone with both FSH and LH-like activity) is mediated via stimulation of the Leydig cells.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Testicular blood flow and vasomotion can be maintained by testosterone in Leydig cell-depleted rats.

The effect of testosterone supplementation on testicular blood flow, testicular vasomotion, the number of polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN's) in testicular blood vessels and prostatic blood flow were studied in rats in which the Leydig cell had been destroyed specifically by a single injection of ethane dimethylsulfonate (EDS). Other rats were supplemented with testosterone by subcutaneous injection of 25 mg testosterone propionate on days 1, 3 and 6. In some experiments, the effect of a single injection of 25 or 125 mg testosterone was studied. Testicular and prostatic blood flow and the number of PMN's in testicular blood vessels decreased, and vasomotion disappeared in Leydig cell-depleted rats, but testosterone supplementation restored all parameters to normal values. Moreover, a single injection of testosterone was able to restore testicular and prostatic blood flow to normal levels but had an inconsistent effect on vasomotion. These results suggest that testosterone may play a role in the physiological control of the testicular microcirculation.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Immunohistochemical demonstration of androgen receptors on testicular blood vessels.

Using an antiserum directed against the human and rat androgen receptor we have used immunohistochemistry to demonstrate that nuclear androgen receptors are present in the muscular layer of almost all arteries within the rat testis. These receptors are apparently influenced by testosterone. They disappear after Leydig cell depletion induced by ethanedimethane sulphonate (EDS) and return after testosterone treatment. It is suggested that testicular blood vessels could be a target-organ for androgens and may mediate some of the effects of androgens on the testicular microcirculation.

Aging↗
PubMed1992

Localized increases in ovarian vascular permeability and leucocyte accumulation after induced ovulation in rabbits.

Colloidal carbon was injected i.v. in mature virgin rabbits at different times after induction of ovulation by human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG, 100 iu) or mating. Before induction of ovulation, slight carbon leakage was observed in the inner vascular ring of the theca interna of antral follicles, but blood vessels in the other ovarian compartments were unstained. Between 4 and 10.5 h after hCG-treatment or mating, vascular leakage was most marked in the blood vessels of the interstitial gland and in the theca interna of antral follicles. Just before ovulation, carbon particles were observed between granulosa cells and some carbon was seeping into the follicular fluid of preruptured follicles. Vascular leakage was also observed over the follicle dome before rupture as well as at the dorsomedial junction between the mesovarium and the ovary. The blood vessels stained with carbon were 7-70 microns diameter, representing capillaries and postcapillary venules. About 6 h after hCG injection, an increased number of polymorphonuclear leucocytes migrated from the vessels of these ovarian compartments into the surrounding interstitial tissue. The number of leucocytes seen in the follicular wall and ovarian medulla increased markedly towards ovulation. During early corpus luteum formation, the number of leucocytes decreased markedly. The localized vascular changes seen after mating and hCG stimulation were similar to an inflammatory reaction and could form the basis for the formation of peritoneal exudate after ovulation in rabbits and periovulatory ascitic accumulation seen in the peritoneal cavity of women during the menstrual cycle.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Treatment of rat prostatic adenocarcinoma with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA): effects on growth and morphology.

Rats bearing the Dunning R3327H prostatic carcinoma were castrated and supplemented with testosterone propionate. These rats were then treated with estradiol benzoate or medroxyprogesterone acetate alone or in combination with estradiol. During the treatment period of six weeks, the growth rate of the prostatic tumors was measured. At the end of the treatment period the morphology of the tumors was also studied. It was found that medroxyprogesterone acetate is as effective as estradiol in inhibiting the growth of the Dunning prostatic carcinoma and that the combination of medroxyprogesterone acetate and estradiol was more efficient in that respect than estradiol alone. Morphometric evaluation of the tumor epithelium and stroma showed a decrement of epithelial growth in all treatment groups, while the groups treated with medroxyprogesterone acetate, both alone or in combination with estradiol, also showed an inhibited growth of the tumor stroma. It was concluded that medroxyprogesterone acetate probably has direct inhibitory effects on prostatic tumor cells in the Dunning model and that medroxyprogesterone acetate may act in an additive manner with estradiol.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1991

Arginine-vasopressin induced changes in testicular blood flow.

As arginine-vasopressin (AVP) has been suggested as a possible paracrine regulator in the testis, the present study was designed to evaluate the effects of AVP on testicular blood flow and vascular permeability. Intratesticular injection of AVP caused a dose-dependent decrease in total testicular blood flow, with 1 ng AVP being the lowest dose that induced a decrease. The AVP-induced decrease in blood flow was blocked completely by treatment with an AVP antagonist, but the latter had no effect on its own. High doses of AVP (100 and 1000 ng) decreased testicular IF volume and slightly increased the IF testosterone concentration. At 10 min and 1 h after intratesticular injection of 100 ng AVP testicular blood flow was decreased, followed by an increase at 6 h; testosterone concentrations were increased at both 10 min and 6 h after this treatment. The microcirculatory blood flow pattern (vasomotion) was not influenced by AVP. The present study shows that AVP in low doses influences testicular blood flow rather selectively because AVP was without any major effect on vasomotion, interstitial fluid volume and testosterone production. AVP might therefore be of importance in the regulation of testicular blood flow.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Does unilateral orchidectomy influence blood flow, microcirculation and vascular morphology in the remaining testis?

Adult rats were hemi-orchidectomized and various aspects of testicular blood flow, microcirculation and vascular morphology were studied in the remaining testis after 30 days and compared to that in intact sham-operated animals. Testis weight, total testicular blood flow (measured with microspheres), capillary blood flow pattern (studied with laser Doppler flowmetry) and the volume of interstitial fluid in the testis (index of vascular permeability) were all unaffected by hemi-orchidectomy. Morphometric measurements on perfusion-fixed testicular tissue showed that the volume densities of Leydig cells, blood vessels and small exchange blood vessels were increased by hemi-orchidectomy (by approximately 45, 33 and 42%, respectively). The volume density of Leydig cells in individual testes was correlated to the volume and surface density of capillaries + small postcapillary velules (r = 0.72 and 0.86, respectively). Hemi-orchidectomy is known to result in a doubling in testosterone secretion per Leydig cell. This increased endocrine activity results in moderate increase in the vascular exchange area but other aspects of testicular microcirculation and blood flow are apparently unaffected.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Evaluation of the impression technique by measuring interstitial oedema in rat testis.

The impression method for assessment of subcutaneous oedema was evaluated in a rat testis model where the testicular interstitial fluid volume was changed both artificially by infusion of rat plasma and pharmacologically by administration of human chorionic gonadotrophin. Both the integral value and the impression force value, as measured with the impression method, changed with infused volume, and changes as small as 16 microliters (approximately 7% of the total interstitial fluid volume in a testis) could be detected. Rats were treated with a single injection of 100 i.u. human chorionic gonadotrophin in order to induce changes in the volume of interstitial fluid in the testis. Both the integral value and the impression force value seemed to reveal information on testicular interstitial fluid volume in rats treated with human chorionic gonadotrophin that was similar to data revealed by measuring the actual fluid content in the testis. Interstitial fluid volume measured morphometrically in the contralateral testis in human chorionic gonadotrophin-treated rats was significantly correlated to the impression force value (r = 0.75) and the integral value (r = 0.52). This rat testis model proved to be an interesting experimental set-up for evaluation of the impression technique.

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Painful testicular lithiasis.

Testicular pain both acute and chronic is quite common and may result from many different diseases located both in and outside of the testis. Diffuse testicular microlithiasis is a rarely encountered problem in urology and up to now a unique sonographic appearance. We here report a case with combination of both signs and give a short review of the literature.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Estrogen treatment combined with castration inhibits tumor growth more effectively than castration alone in the Dunning R3327 rat prostatic adenocarcinoma.

This study was designed to investigate whether the combination of castration with estrogen treatment for 6 weeks (combined treatment) further inhibits growth of the Dunning R3327 rat prostatic adenocarcinoma as compared with castration alone. Combined treatment arrested tumor growth more effectively than castration. Combined treatment also induced morphological changes in both tumor stroma and epithelium that were not found in tumors from castrated animals. The volume density of the tumor epithelium was reduced and the volume density of the tumor stroma was increased by the combined treatment as compared with castration alone. The number of tumor epithelial cells was calculated by morphological methods: combined treatment lowered the number as compared with castration alone. The number of tumor epithelial cells was similar in castrated and intact rats. Both combined treatment and castration alone reduced tumor epithelium cell size as compared with tumors from intact rats. These findings suggest that estrogen may have direct effects on total number and function of prostatic tumor cells.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1990

Interleukin-1 beta but not interleukin-1 alpha, induces acute inflammation-like changes in the testicular microcirculation of adult rats.

A number of inflammatory mediators and cytokines were injected locally into the testis of adult rats in order to test their ability to induce leukocyte accumulation and increased vascular permeability (as studied by a carbon labelling technique). Human recombinant interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) caused increased vascular permeability and leukocyte migration. All the other factors studied--histamine, serotonin, bradykinin, interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), and a partially purified interleukin-1 alpha-like factor (tIL-1) from rat testis--did not induce any acute signs of increased vascular permeability or inflammatory response after local injection. It is suggested that local production of IL-1 beta from testicular macrophages could be responsible for the inflammation-like changes that are seen in rat testes after treatment with human chorionic gonadotrophin.

Animals↗