Enhanced proliferation of fetal rat hepatocytes in primary culture induced by ritodrine

Article Abstract:

Ritodrine may increase growth of the liver in fetuses suffering from growth retardation. Ritodrine is a drug used to stop premature labor and to treat fetal growth retardation. A study examined the effect of ritodrine on cell division in hepatocytes, or liver cells, from fetal or neonatal (newborn) rats and from adult rats. Treatment with ritodrine increased DNA synthesis and stimulated cell division in fetal and neonatal hepatocytes but not in adult hepatocytes. The degree of cell stimulation increased as the dose of ritodrine increased in fetal and neonatal hepatocytes. Ritodrine may increase DNA synthesis in hepatocytes by stimulating certain types of receptors present in high concentrations in the fetal liver. Ritodrine may also stimulate the production of different types of growth factors. Fetal growth retardation affects the liver before any other organ in the body.

Liver cells, Hepatocytes, Fetal tissues, Ritodrine

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Suppression of gelatinase production with decreased invasiveness of choriocarcinoma cells by human recombinant interferon beta

Article Abstract:

Recombinant interferon may inhibit the invasiveness of choriocarcinoma cells. Choriocarcinoma is a highly invasive uterine tumor of embryonic origin. It appears to metastasize by invading blood vessels. The ability to suppress the production of connective tissue-degrading enzymes would greatly improve cure rates because survival approaches 100% in cases with no metastasis. The activity of connective tissue-degrading enzymes was measured in four cultures of choriocarcinoma cell lines both before and after incubation with recombinant interferon (rIFN) -alpha, -beta, -or gamma. RIFN-beta cut the tumor cells' ability to cross a membrane by half or more. The concentrations required to have this effect were substantially below those used in treatment of other cancers.

Cancer invasiveness, Interferon beta, Choriocarcinoma

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Hepatocyte growth factor in human amniotic fluid promotes the migration of fetal small intestinal epithelial cells

Article Abstract:

Hepatocyte growth factor appears to play a role in the development of the gastrointestinal tract in the developing human fetus. This growth factor has been found in high concentrations in amniotic fluid. Researchers exposed a cell line derived from fetal intestinal cells to amniotic fluid samples as well as chemically synthesized hepatocyte growth factor. Both the amniotic fluid and the growth factor caused the intestinal cells to move. The fetus swallows amniotic fluid, and the hepatocyte growth factor in the fluid may stimulate the intestinal tract.

Growth factors, Epithelial cells, Cell migration, Amniotic fluid

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