Anti-PROK1 polyclonal antibody [Biotin]

Background and Aim Dietary fiber shortens gut transit time, but data on the effects of fiber components (including resistant starch, RS) on intestinal contractility are limited. We have examined RS effects in male Sprague-Dawley rats fed either a high-amylose maize starch (HAMS) or a wholemeal made from high-amylose wheat (HAW) on ileal and colonic contractility ex vivo and expression of genes associated with smooth muscle contractility. Methods Rats were fed diets containing 19 % fat, 20 % protein, and either low-amylose maize starch (LAMS), HAMS, wholemeal low-amylose wheat (LAW) or HAW for 11 week. Isolated ileal and proximal colonic sections were induced to contract electrically, or by receptor-independent (KCl) or receptor-dependent agents. Colonic gene expression was assessed using an Affymetrix microarray. Results Ileal contractility was unaffected by treatment. Maximal proximal colonic contractility induced electrically or by angiotensin II or carbachol was lower for rats fed HAMS and LAW relative to those fed LAMS (P < 0.05). The colonic expression of genes, including cholinergic receptors (Chrm2, Chrm3), serotonin receptors (Htr5a, Htr7), a protease-activated receptor (F2r), a prokineticin receptor (Prokr1), prokineticin (Prok1), and nitric oxide synthase 2 (Nos2), was altered by dietary HAMS relative to LAMS (P < 0.05). HAW did not significantly affect these genes or colonic contractility relative to effects of LAMS. Conclusions RS and other fiber components could influence colorectal health through modulation of stool transit time via effects on muscular contractility.

Objective: To examine prokineticin 1 (PROK1), homeobox (HOX) A10, and P receptor (PR) messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in primary cultures of endometrial stromal cells (ESC) obtained from eutopic endometrial samples of patients with endometriosis and to clarify whether in vitro steroid hormone dependence of PROK1 gene expression is altered in endometriosis. Design: Prospective laboratory study. Setting: Tertiary university hospital. Patient(s): Twelve normal women (controls) and 12 patients affected by moderate to severe endometriosis in the midsecretory phase of the menstrual cycle. Intervention(s): Endometrial specimens were obtained from control women and from women affected by endometriosis; ESC were isolated from endometrial biopsies, and primary cultures were established. Main Outcome Measure(s): Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis of PROK1, HOXA10, and PR mRNA expression in ESC after 1-4 days of steroid hormone treatment and after decidual differentiation. Result(s): Contrary to ESC from control women, in ESC obtained from women affected by endometriosis PROK1 and PR mRNA expression was not induced by 1-4 days of treatment with steroid hormones. Nevertheless, when ESC from both groups of women were differentiated to decidual phenotype, PROK1 mRNA was up-regulated and PR and HOXA10 mRNA were down-regulated to the same extent. Conclusion(s): Our results provide additional evidence for P resistance in endometriosis. (Fertil Steril (R) 2010;94:2558-63. (C) 2010 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)