Phytochemistry. 2004 Mar;65(6):711-20. Protective role of 20-hydroxyecdysone against
lead stress in Chlorella vulgaris cultures.
Bajguz A, Godlewska-Zylkiewicz B.
Institute of Biology, University of Bialystok, Swierkowa 20 B,
15-950 Bialystok, Poland.
Treatment of cultured C. vulgaris cells with 10(-6)-10(-4) M lead
decreased their growth and chemical composition during the first
48 h of cultivation. However, at concentrations above 10(-4) M,
lead is cytotoxic to Chlorella vulgaris cells, resulting in cellular
fragmentation and lysis. In contrast, at concentrations below
10(-6) M lead had no influence on the growth and metabolism of
C. vulgaris cells. 20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E) (10(-10)-10(-8) M)
increased growth and chemical composition of C. vulgaris cells
over a concentration range. Levels per cell of chlorophylls, protein,
sugars are all increased by 20E treatment, when compared to non-treated
control cells. However, the cultures treated with 20E and lead
show a lower stimulation than the cultures treated with 20E alone.
The effects of 20E mixed with lead on the growth and the level
of cellular lead, chlorophyll, sugar and protein in C. vulgaris
are also reported. The decreased growth and composition of C.
vulgaris cells treated with lead was restored by the 20E. Application
of 20E to C. vulgaris cultures reduced the impact of lead stress
on growth, prevented chlorophyll, sugar and protein loss and increased
phytochelatins synthesis. Furthermore, 20E did not restore toxic
effect of lead on C. vulgaris cells. The combined treatment with
lead and 20E appeared to have a stimulatory effect on the above
parameters during the 48 h of cultivation, as compared to the
control. 20E reduced the toxicity of lead and the growth recovered
to the level of cells treated with 20E alone. Concentration-dependent
stimulation was observed with increasing concentration of 20E
and decreasing concentration of lead.
Int Rev Cytol. 2004;235:215-50. Proliferation and differentiation processes
in the heart muscle elements in different phylogenetic groups.
Martynova MG.
Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 194064 St.
Petersburg, Russia.
This article reviews, discusses, and summarizes data about the
generative behavior of muscle tissue cells, the mechanisms of
its regulation, and the organization of the endocrine function
of the heart in the main phylogenetic groups. With respect to
the ratio of processes of proliferation and differentiation, cell
organization, and growth mechanism, muscle tissues of propulsive
organs can be divided into three types, each revealed in one of
three main groups of animals, lophotrochozoans, ecdysozoans, and
chordates. Ecdysterone is likely to play the key role in the regulation
of proliferation and differentiation processes in the heart muscle
of crustaceans, and, most probably, also of molluscs. In each
of the three main phylogenetic groups the endocrine function of
the heart consisting of secretion of natriuretic peptides has
a peculiar organization. Vertebrate cardiomyocytes are known to
combine contractile and endocrine differentiation. Such functional
dualism is absent in heart muscle elements of Lophotrochozoa and
Ecdysozoa; in the heart of lopfotrochozoans, secretion of natriuretic
peptides is performed by endothelial cells and their derivatives.
Homology of the heart muscle in the animal kingdom as well as
possible mechanisms of genomic and epigenomic regulation of different
types of cardiomyogenesis are discussed.
Yao Xue Xue Bao. 2004 Apr;39(4):241-4. [Effect of ecdysterone on the expression
of c-fos in the brain of rats induced by microinjection beta-AP25-35
into the hippocampus] [Article in Chinese]
Yang SF, Yang ZQ, Zhou QX, Wu Q, Huang XN, Shi JS.
Department of Pharmacology, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing
400016, China.
AIM: To observe the behavior in learning and memory and the expression
of c-fos gene from the brain of rats induced by beta-AP25-35,
and the intervention of ecdysterone, in order to explore the protective
mechanism of ecdysterone on the dysfunction of learning and memory
of the rat induced by beta-AP25-35. METHODS: Microinjection of
beta-AP25-35 into hippocampus induced learning and memory dysfunction
of rats. The learning and memory of rats were observed by Morris
Water Maze. The expression of c-fos gene in the brain was detected
by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The results of Morris Water
Maze showed that after rats were microinjected beta-AP25-35 into
hippocampus, the rats in model group took longer latency and searching
distance compared with the ones in control group (P < 0.01),
and the rats in treated group (ECR 4 mg x kg(-1), ECR 8 mg x kg(-1)
and nimodipine 7.2 mg x kg(-1)) took shorter latency and searching
distance, especially the ECR 8 mg kg(-1) group (P < 0.01).
At the same time, after the 5 days training, there was a higher
expression of c-fos in hippocampus and cortex from the rats in
control group than that in model group (P < 0.01), but in the
treated group, there was a relatively higher expression of c-fos,
especially the ECR 8 mg x kg(-1) group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION:
Microinjection of beta-AP25-35 into the rat hippocampus resulted
in dysfunction of learning and memory. Ecdysterone was shown to
improve the learning and memory of the rats and increase the expression
of c-fos. Increasing the expression of c-fos is probably one of
the most molecular mechanism of its protection.
Science. 2003 Feb 28;299(5611):1407-10. Steroid control of longevity in Drosophila
melanogaster.
Simon AF, Shih C, Mack A, Benzer S.
Division of Biology 156-29, California Institute of Technology,
1201 California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
Ecdysone, the major steroid hormone of Drosophila melanogaster,
is known for its role in development and reproduction. Flies that
are heterozygous for mutations of the ecdysone receptor exhibit
increases in life-span and resistance to various stresses, with
no apparent deficit in fertility or activity. A mutant involved
in the biosynthesis of ecdysone displays similar effects, which
are suppressed by feeding ecdysone to the flies. These observations
demonstrate the importance of the ecdysone hormonal pathway, a
new player in regulating longevity.
Di Yi Jun Yi Da Xue Xue Bao. 2003 Nov;23(11):1219-21. Effect of ecdysterone against sodium arsenite-induced
endothelial cell apoptosis.
Wu X, Wang WJ.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, First
Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
OBJECTIVE: To study whether ecdysterone (EDS) inhibits apoptosis
of endothelial cells. METHODS: In the model of sodium arsenite
(Ars)-induced endothelial cell apoptosis, the effect of EDS at
varied dosages (50, 200, 800 mg/L) on cell apoptosis was observed
by measuring the number of apoptotic endothelial cells, intracellular
adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and the oxidative state (OS). RESULTS:
Ars at the dosages of 40, 80, 160 mmol/L was capable of causing
an increase in the number of apoptotic endothelial cells in vitro,
and 160 mmol/L Ars exhibited the strongest effect. EDS was shown
to exert influence on the apoptosis-inducing effect of Ars, which
decreased the apoptotic cell number at the dosage of 50 and 200
mg/L, but a contrary effect occurred while at the dosage of 800
mg/L. Meanwhile EDS (50, 200 mg/L) inhibited the increase of ICAM-1
expression in the endothelial cells in response to Ars, but failed
to significantly elevate the low OS induced by Ars (P>0.05).
CONCLUSION: Ars induces endothelial cell apoptosis dose-dependently,
and in a similar manner, EDS produces influence on the apoptosis-inducing
action of Ars. EDS (50, 200 mg/L) may decrease the apoptotic endothelial
cell number and lower the Ars-induced increase of ICAM-1 expression,
demonstrating its protective effect on the endothelial cells against
apoptosis.
Med Parazitol (Mosk). 2002 Jan-Mar;(1):29-33. Ecdysten in the treatment of giardiasis.
Osipova SO, Islamova ZhI, Syrov VN, Badalova NS, Khushbaktova
ZA.
The drug ecdisten as tablets is the natural compound ecdisteron
was extracted from Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd.) Jljin. Ecdisten
was tested in the treatment of 32 and 3 patients with persistent
and acute giardiasis, respectively. A ten-day course of ecdisten,
5 mg 3 or 4 times a day, resulted in a clinical and parasitological
recovery in 22 (68.7%) and 3 patients, respectively. After the
reuse of a ecdisten course in 4 patients with persistent giardiasis
wherein its initial dose was increased, recovery was achieved
in 3 cases, the efficacy of the agent was 78.1%. Ecdisten should
be used to treat giardiasis, in its chronic pattern or resistance
to conventional giardicial agents.
Zhonghua Shao Shang Za Zhi. 2001 Feb;17(1):39-41. The effects of ecdysterone on the apoptosis
and necrosis of cultured HUVEC induced by endotoxin.
Shi F, Zhang J, Zhang M.
Institute of Burn Research, Southwestern Hospital, The Third Military
Medical University, Chongqing 400038 P.R. China.
OBJECTIVE: To study the protective effects of ecdysterone (EDS)
on the apoptosis and necrosis of cultured HUVEC induced by endotoxin.
METHODS: HUVEC was cultured in vitro. Apoptosis and necrosis of
HUVEC were induced by LPS, and EDS was added in test specimen.
Apoptosis was determined by means of flow cytometry and fluorescent
microscopy. RESULTS: There was relatively less number of apoptosis
and necrosis of in vitro cultured normal HUVEC than that after
LPS stimulation, whereas apoptosis dominated over necrosis. After
EDS was added to the culture of HUVEC, cell apoptosis and necrosis
decreased simultaneously. CONCLUSION: EDS might exert protective
effects on cultured HUVEC against apoptosis and necrosis induced
by LPS.
Eksp Klin Farmakol. 2000 Jul-Aug;63(4):35-7. Effect of ecdystene on parameters of the
sexual function under experimental and clinical conditions.
Mirzaev IuR, Syrov VN, Khrushev SA, Iskanderova SD.
Institute of the Chemistry of Plant Substances, Academy of Sciences
of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
The effects of ecdysterone and the related drug ecdysten on the
sexual activity were studied under experimental and clinical conditions.
A 10-day administration of ecdysterone (5 and 10 mg/kg, p.o.)
improved behavioral characteristics of the sexual function in
rats, the effect being especially pronounced during the fist days
of experiment. The administration of ecdysten to men with the
infertility diagnosis (disturbed spermatogenesis as a complication
of some urologic diseases) increased the copulative function and
improved the sperm quality. The administration of ecdysten to
patients in the stage of recovery upon myocardial infarction also
improved the sexual function.
Arch Insect Biochem Physiol. 1999;41(3):156-61. 20-hydroxyecdysone as a human lymphocyte
and neutrophil modulator: In vitro evaluation.
Trenin DS, Volodin VV.
The Centre of Laboratory Diagnostics, Ekaterinburg, The Institute
of Biology, Syktyvkar, Russia.
20-hydroxyecdysone (1 microM) was found to activate in vitro T-cell
CD2 presentation, which is suppressed both in secondary immunodeficient
persons and pharmacologically by increasing intracellular cAMP
levels. The compound was found to act like a synthetic psycho-immunomodulator
1-oxy-4-oxoadamantane (1 microM) and to exceed the effects of
the thymomimetic agent levamisol (1 microM). In addition, 20-hydroxyecdysone
(1 microM) was also revealed to modulate the fluoride-stimulated
respiratory burst of human neutrophils in the same manner as water
soluble antioxidants.
Eksp Klin Farmakol. 1998 Jan-Feb;61(1):60-2. The effect of the antioxidants elton and
leveton on the physical work capacity of athletes.
Azizov AP, Seifulla RD, Ankudinova IA, Kondrat
Department of Biologically Active Agents. All-Russian Research
Institute of Physical Culture, Moscow, Russia.
Study of 44 athletes of various sport skill undergoing training
for endurance showed the chemiluminescence method to be an important
parameter indicating that a person is trained for physical exertion.
The broad-spectrum adaptogenic agents elton and leveton reduced
in in-vitro experiments the superweak luminescence of urine, which
is evidence of their direct antioxidant effect. Twenty-day administration
of elton and leveton reduced chemiluminescence and the level of
malonic dialdehyde in the urine of highly skilled athletes and
increased their physical working capacity tested by bicycle ergometry
with gradually increasing physical loads.
Eksp Klin Farmakol. 1997 Sep-Oct;60(5):58-60. Effects of eleutherococcus, elton, leuzea,
and leveton on the blood coagulation system during training in
athletes.
Azizov AP.
Department of Medicobiological Problems of Higher Achievements
in Sports, Research Institute of Physical Culture, Moscow, Russia.
Comparative study was conducted of formal preparations of tinctures
of eleutherococcus and leuzea and the newly developed preparations
Elton and Leveton containing, respectively, eleutherosids and
ecdisten. Intensive physical activity of high-class athletes leads
to increase of blood coagulation expressed in shortening of the
thromboelastogram r and K intervals and increased activity of
the proth rombin complex according to Quick, and increased activity
of factors II, VII, X, XIII, and fibrinolysis. The concentration
of fibrinogen increases. A 20-day course of eleuthrococcus tincture
causes a decrease in the blood coagulation potential and activity
of the blood coagulation factors induced by intensive training
of the athletes. Twenty-day treatment with the new broad-spectrum
adaptogens Elton and Leveton causes a more marked reduction of
the coagulation potential in athl etes. The activity of the factors
and fibrinolys are normalized in this case. The indicated shifts
are accompanied with increase of working capacity and rehabilitation
of the athletes.
Eksp Klin Farmakol. 1997 Nov-Dec;60(6):47-8. Effects of leuzea tincture and leveton on
humoral immunity of athletes.
Azizov AP, Seifulla RD, Chubarova AV.
Department of Medicobiological Problems of Highest Achievements
in Sports, Research Institute of Physical Culture, Moscow, Russia.
The effect of 20-day administration of ectisten-containing tincture
of leuzea and leveton on humoral immunity of track and field runners
for distances of 5,000 and 10,000 m was studied. Intensive cyclic
physical activity induced significant decrease of IgG and IgA
in blood serum of the athletes as well as the complement C3 component
on the 10th and 20th days. Both drugs contributed to restoration
of the lowered IgG, IgA, and C3 concentration. The effect of leveton
was more pronounced. The working capacity of the athletes grew
by 10 to 15% in this case.
Eksp Klin Farmakol. 1995 Sep-Oct;58(5):46-8. A comparative study of the anabolic action
of ecdysten, leveton and Prime Plus, preparations of plant origin.
Gadzhieva RM, Portugalov SN, Paniushkin VV, Kondrat'eva II.
A new class of anabolic substances includes different saponins,
originated from Leuzea rhaponticum sp. The effect of these substances
on the human body was studied by caliperometric measurements of
body folds. All tested substances taken orally for three weeks
diminished fat content under conditions of daily aerobic-anaerobic
training. Ekdisten and Prime Plus (combination of ekdisten and
pure protein) elevated the muscle mass. The same effect of leventon
was less pronounced. We showed that all substances studied elevated
the magnitude of "total work", estimated per 1 kg of
body weight. Ekdisten and Prime Plus again appeared to be most
efficient. The prospects of using the saponins in sport medicine
are discussed.
