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Inhibition of steroidogensis and induction of apoptosis in rat luteal cells by cell-permeable ceramide in vitro

Li Qinglei, Ni Jiang, Bian Shuling, Yao Lanchun, Zhu Hui, Zhang Wei

Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology,Department of Physiology,Harbin Medical University.Harbin 150086,Heilongjiang

Abstract

Ceramide was found to reduce hCG-stimulated progesterone production in a dose-dependent manner, whereas it had little effect on bassal progesterone content. Spontaneous apoptosis in luteal cells was observed after a 12-hour incubation in vitro and 5 #mu#mol/L of ceramide significantly increased the apoptotic rate (P<0.05). Enhanced apoptotic peak was seen in the histogram by flow cytometry. Moreover, 50 #mu#mol/L of C2-ceramide significantly increased NOS activity (P<0.01) and NO production (P<0.001).

Key words: Luteal cells;Ceramide;Progesterone;Apoptosis;Nitric oxide synthase;Nitric oxide

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Citing This Article：

Li Qinglei, Ni Jiang, Bian Shuling, Yao Lanchun, Zhu Hui, Zhang Wei. Inhibition of steroidogensis and induction of apoptosis in rat luteal cells by cell-permeable ceramide in vitro. Acta Physiol Sin 2001; 53 (2): (in Chinese with English abstract).