Biomedical subjects

H F Huang

Publications and source records attributed to H F Huang.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed1996

Photodynamic treatment of subcutaneous tumors in mice with photofrin II and Argon ion laser.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the combined effects of photofrin (Pf) II and laser irradiation on mice bearing subcutaneous tumors. METHOD: Ehrlish ascites tumor cells (1 x 10(7)) were implanted subcutaneously into the breast area of ICR mice. The tumors, when grew up to 0.55 +/- 0.15cm3, was administered of laser irradiation (514.5nm, 112.5mW/cm2 for 11.12 min with a total energy 75j/cm2) after intraperitoneal injection of Pf II (5, 7.5, 10 and 15mg/kg body weight) once a day for three successive days. RESULTS: The mortality rate (MR120) in the tumor control was 93.7% and the mean survival time (MST120) was 46.6 days. The best therapeutic effect (50% mortality rate, 53.8% tumor control rate and mean survival time 86 days) was observed in the group treated with 7.5mg of Pf II per kg of body weight and total irradiation energy of 75J/cm2 (112.5mW/cm2 for 11.12 min) with 514.5nm argon ion laser light. CONCLUSIONS: The effect on the survival rate of tumor cells and synthetic rates of DNA, RNA and protein were obviously inhibited, as the dose of pf II and laser irradiation increased.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Ketone reductase activity and reduced haloperidol/haloperidol ratios in haloperidol-treated schizophrenic patients.

Twenty schizophrenic patients were treated with a fixed haloperidol (HL) dose of 20 mg/day for 4 weeks. The conversion of HL to its reduced metabolite (reduced haloperidol, RH) occurs via the ketone reductase enzyme. RH is also converted back to HL by the cytochrome P450 2D6 isozyme. Ketone reductase activity can be measured in red blood cells. Plasma HL and RH levels were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and during weeks 2 and 4 of HL therapy. Seventeen of 20 patients had ketone reductase values < 3. A significant correlation between ketone reductase and RH/HL plasma ratios was observed at week 4 in these 17 patients. Patients with ketone reductase activity < 3 could represent a subgroup of patients that metabolize HL differently. The wide interpatient variability observed with HL and RH plasma levels in HL-treated patients could reflect differences in ketone reductase activity and the metabolic status of debrisoquin hydroxylase (cytochrome P450IID6) in psychiatric patients.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Reproducibility of the amniotic fluid index: its effect on clinical practice.

Two methods of measuring the amniotic fluid index (AFI) were subjected to tests of intra- and interobserver reproducibility. In the first method, amniotic fluid in each quadrant was measured by using the deepest pool perpendicular to the floor; in the second method, amniotic fluid in each quadrant was measured by using the deepest pool perpendicular to the uterine contour. Intraobserver and interobserver variability were assessed by using one-way analysis of variance and limits of agreement, respectively. Intraobserver standard deviations were all < 9 mm. When the AFI was measured using the first method, there was an inverse relationship between the interobserver difference and mean values of AFI. Plots of the differences between observers against their means showed that the lower the AFI, the greater the interobserver variability. No such correlation was noted when the AFI was measured by the second method. The limits of agreement (within which 95% of interobserver differences lie) were comparable for the two methods [(-42 mm to 29.4 mm) and (-46.4 mm to 41.6 mm), respectively]. The results suggest that the amniotic fluid index measured by the second method is more reproducible, especially in the presence of reduced amniotic fluid.

Amniotic Fluid↗

PubMed1994

Spermatogenesis and the pituitary-testicular hormone axis in rats during the acute phase of spinal cord injury.

Male infertility frequently occurs after spinal cord injury (SCI). However, little is known about the acute effects of SCI on male reproductive function. This study evaluated the effects of SCI on spermatogenesis and testicular-pituitary function in rats 2 and 4 weeks after injury. Spinal cord injury was produced in rats by T9 spinal cord transection. Controls received similar surgery without transection. Complete spermatogenesis was seen 2 weeks after SCI; however, abnormalities were present in the seminiferous tubules. Hormone levels were similar in the two groups. Four weeks after SCI, incomplete spermatogenesis was noted in 3 of 9 rats, 4 others had delayed spermiation, and the last 2 had nonspecific regression of seminiferous epithelium. Serum testosterone levels were lower at 4 weeks in SCI rats than in controls, but testicular testosterone content was not. Plasma gonadotropin levels were similar in the two groups 4 weeks after SCI. Quantitative analysis revealed a 26 to 33% decrease in the number of spermatogenic cells in stage VII seminiferous tubules at 4 weeks in SCI rats (p < 0.01). This study demonstrated that qualitative and quantitative impairments of spermatogenesis occur during the acute phase of SCI in rats.

Acute Disease↗

PubMed1994

Induction of enrichment of the stages of the seminiferous epithelial cycle in prepubertal rats.

The aim of the present study was to examine the feasibility of inducing enrichment of the stages of the seminiferous epithelium in prepubertal male rats produced by vitamin A-deficient (VAD) females that had received a supplement of a marginal level of retinol. Seventy-day-old retinoic acid-supplemented VAD female rats were given daily doses of 5, 10, or 20 micrograms retinol for 2 wk. Breeding of these females resulted in the production of viable offspring in litters of normal size. Subsequently, male rats so produced (VAD males) were given a single injection of 10 or 20 micrograms retinol at 10 or 20 days of age, fostered by normal lactating females, and weaned at 25 days of age. These rats were maintained on normal rat chow thereafter. At 10 days of age, active spermatogonial proliferation was not seen in the testes of VAD males born to VAD females receiving a 5- or 10-micrograms daily dose of retinol. Concurrently, cells resembling gonocytes were frequently seen, and pre-type A spermatogonia were seen in over 80% of the tubules examined. By 20 days of age, the presence of active spermatogonial proliferation was demonstrated by the appearance of preleptotene spermatocytes, but these failed to differentiate further. Spermatogenesis of the VAD males born to VAD females given a daily dose of 20 micrograms retinol appeared to be normal at both 10 and 20 days of age. Forty days after the retinol replacement, the testes of VAD males born to VAD females given a daily dose of 5 or 10 micrograms retinol were enriched with specific stages of the seminiferous epithelium while other stages were absent. The stages enriched were affected by the dose of retinol administered and the age when retinol replacement began. The stage enrichment in these animals persisted for at least 135 days. Seminiferous epithelium of the VAD males born to the VAD females receiving a 20-micrograms daily dose of retinol was not stage-enriched. Northern blot analysis of testicular RNA revealed stage-dependent changes in the steady-state level of mRNA for spermatid protamine and Sertoli cell androgen-binding protein (ABP). Results of this study demonstrate the feasibility of inducing enrichment of seminiferous stages in prepubertal rats. The production of this animal model is cost-effective in that it saves in time and animal maintenance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1994

Messenger ribonucleic acid of rat testicular retinoic acid receptors: developmental pattern, cellular distribution, and testosterone effect.

In order to understand the physiological importance and molecular mechanisms of retinoic acid regulation of spermatogenesis, we examined the ontogeny of the steady-state level of the mRNAs of retinoic acid receptor (RAR) alpha and gamma in testes; we also used Northern blot cDNA hybridization to examine the distribution of RAR alpha and RAR gamma in spermatogenic cells isolated from 60-day-old rats. In addition, we investigated the effects of exogenous testosterone on the steady-state levels of mRNA of RAR alpha and gamma in testes of 20-day-old rats. The steady-state levels of both the 3.4- and 2.7-kb mRNA transcripts of RAR alpha in rat testes remained relatively unchanged until 20-21 days of age, then declined thereafter. Comparison of the relative abundance of the RAR alpha transcripts in Sertoli cells isolated from 20-day-old rats with that found in mixed spermatogenic cells isolated from 40-day-old rats suggests that both the 3.4- and the 2.7-kb transcripts were expressed more abundantly in Sertoli cells. Whereas young and pachytene spermatocytes, as well as young and elongated spermatids, all contained the 3.4-kb transcript of RAR alpha, only trace amounts of the 2.7-kb transcript was detected in spermatogenic cells. In addition, trace amounts of a smaller transcript of RAR alpha (1.8 kb) was detected in both Sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells, and two larger transcripts (4.0 and 7.0 kb) were detected exclusively in spermatogenic cells. In contrast, a single 3.4-kb mRNA transcript of RAR gamma was detected in rat testes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aging↗

PubMed1994

Combined effects of chuling (Polyporus umbellatus) extract and mitomycin C on experimental liver cancer.

Chuling (Polyporus umbellatus), one of the commonly used Chinese medical herbs, was combined with mitomycin C and then studied against intrahepatic implantation of sarcoma 180 tumor cells in mice. Oral administration of chuling extract, intraperitoneal injection of mitomycin C and the combination of both increased the life span of tumor-bearing mice 71.6%, 70.1% and 119.9%, respectively. The same treatments were found to be cytotoxic to Sarcoma-180-induced liver tumor cells. The synthetic rates of DNA, RNA and protein were all inhibited measurably by the combined treatment. Histopathological studies showed that lymphocytes infiltrated and surrounded the cancer cells, and there was some fibrosis found in normal cells and cancer cells. These results indicate the potential use of chuling as an anticancer agent.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[A clinical study 39 cases of ovarian pregnancy].

Thirty-nine cases of ovarian pregnancy in our hospital from 1982 to 1992 were analyzed, and compared with the tubal pregnancies admitted during the same period. It showed that the incidence of ovarian pregnancy was 2.6% of all ectopic pregnancies with a trend to increase yearly. The clinical features of ovarian pregnancy revealed that abdominal pain was the major symptom, and history of amenorrhea was obscure. The clinical diagnosis of ovarian pregnancy was more difficult than that of tubal pregnancy. The typical histologic characteristics showed the embryo and chorionic villi surrounded by ovarian tissue or the presence of decidual changes. Ovarian pregnancy was closely related with poor uterine environment, pelvic inflammatory disease and/or endometriosis. The preferred therapeutic procedure was partial ovariectomy or wedge resection, preserving the normal ovarian tissue and tube as much as possible.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

[Effects of gossypol acetate, danazol, progesterone and GnRH-A on estrogen and progesterone receptors of human endometrial cells].

In order to evaluate the drugs in treating endometriosis, the direct effects of gossypol acetate, danazol, progesterone, and gonadotropin releasing hormone-agonist (GnRH-A) on the isolated human endometrial cells were determined by DCC assay. The binding capacity of cytosolic estradiol receptor (E2R) and progesterone receptor (PR) in groups treated with gossypol acetate or progesterone decreased. In danazol-treated group, the binding capacity of PR decreased but not that of E2R. GnRH-A showed no significant effect on the binding capacity of E2R and PR. There was a significant linear correlation between the inhibitory rates of PR binding capacity of progesterone and danazol. The results suggested that gossypol acetate, danazol and progesterone might have peripheral effects mediated by steroid receptors, while GnRH-A work clinically through the central path way only.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Maintenance of spermiogenesis by exogenous testosterone in rats treated with a GnRH antagonist: relationship with androgen-binding protein status.

The relationship of the testicular distribution and [3H]dihydrotestosterone-binding capacity of androgen-binding protein (ABP) to the completion of spermiogenesis was examined in mature rats given daily injections of 25 or 250 micrograms kg-1 body weight of GnRH antagonist (GnRH-A; Ac-D(2), Nal1, 4Cl-D, Phe2, D-Trp3, D-Arg6, D-Ala10) for two weeks with or without subcutaneous implantation of 10 cm testosterone capsules. GnRH-A administration resulted in a dose-dependent suppression of serum FSH, which was partially prevented in the 250 micrograms GnRH-A kg-1 group by exogenous testosterone. The total testicular testosterone content and concentration of testosterone in seminiferous tubular fluid were equally suppressed in both groups of rats treated with GnRH-A and receiving the testosterone supplement. ABP concentrations in interstitial and seminiferous tubular fluid were normal in rats given the 25 micrograms GnRH-A kg-1 dose, and were increased (P < 0.05) by concomitant testosterone treatment. In contrast, ABP concentrations in interstitial and seminiferous tubular fluid were increased in rats given the 250 micrograms GnRH-A kg-1 dose. This effect was attenuated when exogenous testosterone was given. Although binding of [3H]dihydrotestosterone by ABP in seminiferous tubular fluid was not affected by GnRH-A treatment, with or without exogenous testosterone, it was reduced in interstitial fluid by GnRH-A in a dose-dependent manner, and partially restored by testosterone administration. While complete spermatogenesis was maintained in rats given 25 micrograms GnRH-A kg-1, the number of step 7 and step 19 spermatids were both reduced by 35%, and were not affected by testosterone implants.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Androgen-Binding Protein↗

PubMed1991

Treatment of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors with preservation of fertility: a report of 28 cases.

Preservation of fertility was carried out in 28 young patients with malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary from 1962 through 1987. The pathologic diagnosis was immature teratoma in 16, endodermal sinus tumor in 7, dysgerminoma in 2, and germ cell tumor of mixed type in 3. At laparotomy, 16 patients were proved to have stage I disease, 1 had stage II disease, 9 had stage III disease, and 2 had stage IV disease. The tumor was confined to one ovary in all 22 cases treated for the first time, and the preserved ovary and uterus were normal in all 6 referred cases with recurrent diseases. Postoperative chemotherapy was given to all patients except two with stage I immature teratoma. Persistent remission was achieved in 22 patients; 5 patients died and 1 was lost to follow-up. The duration of follow-up was more than 1 year for all surviving patients, more than 3 years in 16 cases (72.7%), and more than 5 years in 13 cases (59.1%). The menstrual periods were normal in all except 3 cases, of whom 2 were below the age of 12 and one failed to menstruate at the age of 21 with a hypoplastic uterus and underdeveloped secondary sex characters. Among 12 married patients, 7 of 10 desirous of child-birth became pregnant during follow-up. Of these, 6 had a normal term delivery and 1 is currently pregnant. The preliminary conclusion is that preservation of fertility for young patients with malignant germ cell tumors of the ovary, regardless of the stage of the disease, is a safe and practicable procedure in the absence of involvement of the contralateral ovary and uterus.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1991

Synergistic effects of follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone on the maintenance of spermiogenesis in hypophysectomized rats: relationship with the androgen-binding protein status.

The present study examined the relationship between the functional status of Sertoli cells and the maintenance and restoration of spermatogenesis in immature hypophysectomized (HPX) rats given various doses of exogenous testosterone with or without daily injections of FSH for 90 days. Subcutaneous implantation of a 2- to 10-cm testosterone capsule (TC) increased serum testosterone levels of HPX rats 2-10 times above the normal control levels, but did not significantly increase the testicular testosterone level. Daily injections of FSH significantly increased the accumulation of testosterone in testes of TC-implanted HPX rats. Maintenance of early spermiogenesis was observed in all TC-implanted animals. Although elongated spermatids were present, step 18-19 spermatids at the luminal edge of stages VII-VIII epithelium were only observed in rats bearing 10-cm TC implants. Daily injection of FSH resulted in the completion of spermiogenesis in all TC-implanted animals, and the number of step 18-19 spermatids was dependent on the length of TC implants used. These results demonstrate the importance of the synergism of FSH and testosterone in the final steps of spermiogenesis. The androgen-binding protein (ABP) content per testis of the HPX rats was stimulated by TC implants. However, a significant increase in epididymal ABP was only noted in rats bearing 10-cm TC implants. Injection of FSH resulted in a significant increase in the testicular ABP content in rats bearing 2- or 5-cm TC, but not in those with 10-cm TC implants. In addition, the epididymal ABP content was significantly stimulated by FSH in all TC-implanted animals. The ABP status in the testis and its transport toward the epididymis are closely related to the extent of maintenance of spermiogenesis. It is speculated that the production of ABP by Sertoli cells and the biochemical properties of ABP molecules may have some role in the control of the final steps of spermiogenesis.

Androgen-Binding Protein↗

PubMed1991

[Effects of gossypol and GnRHa on the prostaglandins contents of endometriotic cell and in situ].

In order to study a direct effect of some traditional and western medicine on the prostaglandins (PGs) of endometriosis, endometriotic cell and endometrial cell in situ were cultured in vitro. 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and thromboxane (TXB2) were measured in the above cells using the RIA from the superfusates. These PGs changes after gossypol acetate, progesterone, danazol and gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) treatment were studied. High PGs levels were observed in endometriotic cell, and higher in endometrial cell in situ of patients than in endometrial cell of healthy persons (P less than 0.01). After treatment with drug (but not GnRHa), the prostacyclin (PGI2) and TXB2 content were reduced in endometriotic cell, and the TXB2 contents were reduced in endometrial cell in situ (P less than 0.01). These results indicate that endometriotic cell and endometrial cell in situ can produce more PGI2 and TXB2--at least in vitro, which perhaps may provide an explanation for the puzzling clinical phenomenon of endometriosis. Gossypol acetate, progesterone and danazol inhibit PGI2 and TXB2 content in endometrial cell of patients with endometriosis. It is pertinent to ask whether these drugs can be used to improve endometriosis-associated infertility or dysmenorrhea as well.

6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha↗

PubMed1990

Enrichment of the stages of the seminiferous epithelium in vitamin A-replaced-vitamin A-deficient rats.

Morphometric study revealed that, at 40 days after the start of vitamin A replacement, A1 spermatogonia and preleptotene spermatocytes appeared in more than 70% of the whole mounts of seminiferous tubules of vitamin A-deficient rats. By 42 days, the appearance of these cell types was reduced by 50%, and A2 and A3 spermatogonia were predominant. By 46 days, A1-A3 spermatogonia appeared in less than 30% of the tubular length while A4, intermediate and B spermatogonia became the major cell types in the basement compartment of seminiferous tubules. The predominance of spermatogonia noted at given times was corroborated by higher frequencies of tubular cross-sections of stages in which that particular type of spermatogonium resides. These results indicate that seminiferous tubules of vitamin A-replaced-vitamin A-deficient rats are 'enriched' for particular stages. Tracing the development of [3H]thymidine-labelled preleptotene spermatocytes revealed normal kinetics of germ cell differentiation in these animals. Furthermore, the spermatogonial proliferations in the vitamin A-replaced-vitamin A-deficient rats were quantitatively normal. We suggest that vitamin A replacement may result in temporal suppression of the differentiation of A2-B spermatogonia, leading to a stimulation or synchronization of certain groups of undifferentiating spermatogonia which undergo active proliferation simultaneously. These synchronized populations of spermatogonia continue to proliferate and differentiate, thus resulting in the stage-enrichments noted at later times.

Animals↗

PubMed1990

Ontogeny of rat testicular mitogenic activity studied with transformed and nontransformed mouse 3T3 fibroblasts.

The ontogeny of the testicular mitogenic activity of Sprague Dawley rats was evaluated by stimulation in vitro of [3H]thymidine uptake and cell number in Swiss 3T3 and transformed NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Addition of various amounts of testicular cytosolic protein resulted in a dose-dependent increase in cell number in both cell lines. The [3H]thymidine responses to testicular cytosolic proteins was also dose dependent but in a nonparametric manner. In addition, the responses of 3T3 cells to testicular cytosol was apparently dependent on the developmental stage of the testis, the time of stimulation, and the proliferative nature of the fibroblast cell line. These results suggest the presence of multiple forms of mitogenic substance in testicular cytosol and imply that the relative amounts of these substances may depend on the age of the donor animal. These substances may be important in the proliferation or differentiation of cell types at various stages of testicular development.

Aging↗

PubMed1990

[Effects of gossypol acetate, progesterone, danazol and GnRH-A (gonadotropin release hormone-A) on the DNA-synthesis of human endometrial cell in vitro].

Both aberrant endometrial cell and endometrial cell in situ, showed cyclic changes under the control of ovarian hormones. In this study, in order to observe a direct effect of medical therapy on the endometriosis, endometrial cells were cultured in vitro. Sensitivity test to 10(-6) M gossypol acetate, progesterone, danazol and GnRH-A were performed using determination of DNA synthesis by incorporation of tritiated thymidine. The results showed these drugs (but not GnRH-A) decreased the amount of attached cells, and lowered the DNA synthesis of endometrial cell in vitro (P less than 0.01). The inhibition rates of gossypol acetate was higher than that of progesterone and danazol, while that of progesterone was higher than that of danazol (P less than 0.01). The relationship between the growth inhibitory effect of progesterone and danazol showed a significant correlation for all points (r = 0.89, P less than 0.05). It has been suggested that some drugs might act a direct inhibitory effect on endometrial cell, such effect might be one of the modes in the treatment of endometriosis. GnRH-A had no direct suppression on endometrial cell in vitro, it has got clinical effect through the central effect at the hypothalamo-pituitary-ovary axis in treatment of endometriosis.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

[Treatment of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors with preservation of fertility].

Preservation of fertility was practiced in 28 young patients with malignant germ cell tumors from 1962 through 1987. The pathologic diagnosis was immature teratoma in 16, endodermal sinus tumor in 7, dysgerminoma in 2 and germ cell tumor of mixed type in 3. At laparotomy, 16 patients proved to have stage I disease, one stage II, 9 stage III and 2 stage IV disease. The tumor was confined to one ovary in all the 22 cases operated on for the first time and the preserved ovary and uterus were normal in all 6 referred cases for recurrent diseases. Postoperative chemotherapy was given to all patients except two with stage I immature teratoma. A persistent remission was achieved in 22 patients, while 5 patients died and one was out of contact. The duration of survival was more than one year for all patients, more than 3 years in 16 cases (72.7%) and more than 5 years in 13 cases (59.1%). The menstrual periods were normal in all cases except 3, of which 2 were below the age of 12 and one failed to menstruate at the age of 19 with a hypoplastic uterus and underdeveloped secondary sex characteristics. Among 12 married patients, 7 of 10 desirous of childbirth became pregnant during follow-ups. Of these, 6 had normal term-deliveries and one is currently pregnant. The preliminary conclusion is that preservation of fertility for young patients with malignant ovarian germ cell tumor is a safe and practicable procedure in the absence of involvement of the contralateral ovary and uterus.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1989

Zinc acetate pretreatment ameliorates cisplatin-induced Sertoli cell dysfunction in Sprague-Dawley rats.

The present study was undertaken to determine if prior administration of zinc acetate (ZnAc) or copper sulfate (CuSO4) could prevent pituitary, Leydig, or Sertoli cell dysfunction subsequent to cisplatin administration in adult Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were given cisplatin at a dose of 2 mg/kg daily for 5 days, with or without the i.p. administration of ZnAc (6 mg/kg per day) or CuSO4 (5 mg/kg per day), beginning 5 days prior to and continuing through the administration of cisplatin. Control animals were given vehicle, ZnAc1, or CuSO4. Animals were sacrificed 1 week after the initial cisplatin injection. Cisplatin administration resulted in suppressed serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels as well as a 77% reduction in serum testosterone and an 82% reduction in testicular testosterone. The concomitant administration of either ZnAc or CuSO4 did not result in a significant difference relative to animals receiving cisplatin alone, although administration of both cations alone significantly reduced testicular testosterone content. Serum androgen-binding protein (ABP) was not significantly lowered in any treatment group. There was a marked reduction of 57% in testicular ABP content relative to control values subsequent to cisplatin administration. This reduction was partially prevented by ZnAc treatment: the testicular ABP concentration was only 15% lower than that in controls (not significant). Since the cisplatin-induced reduction in serum FSH was not altered by ZnAc pretreatment, we conclude that the near normalization of testicular ABP content may be evidence of improved Sertoli cell function. In contrast, cisplatin-induced decreases in the serum gonadotropins and testicular androgens were not lessened by pretreatment with either cation. Further studies may be warranted to determine whether ZnAc pretreatment has a beneficial effect on spermatogenesis during cisplatin treatment.

Acetates↗