Various recent studies dedicated to the role of nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in somatic cells provide evidence for an interaction of the two gasotransmitters. In the case of male gametes, only the action of a single donor of each gasotransmitter has been investigated up until today. It has been demonstrated that, at low concentrations, both gasotransmitters alone exert a positive effect on sperm quality parameters. Moreover, the activity of gaseous cellular messengers may be affected by the presence of oxidative stress, an underlying condition of several male reproductive disorders. In this study, we explored the effect of the combination of two donors SNP and NaHS (NO and H2S donors, respectively) on boar spermatozoa under oxidative stress. We applied NaHS, SNP, and their combination (DD) at 100 nM concentration in boar spermatozoa samples treated with Fe2+/ascorbate system. After 90 min of incubation at 38 °C, we have observed that progressive motility (PMot) and plasma membrane integrity (PMI) were improved (p < 0.05) in DD treatment compared to the Ctr sample under oxidative stress (CtrOX). Moreover, the PMot of DD treatment was higher (p < 0.05) than that of NaHS. Similar to NaHS, SNP treatment did not overcome the PMot and PMI of CtrOX. In conclusion, for the first time, we provide evidence that the combination of SNP and NaHS surmounts the effect of single-donor application in terms of PMot and PMI in porcine spermatozoa under oxidative stress.

• Klíčová slova
• boar spermatozoa, gasotransmitter interaction, hydrogen sulfide, nitric oxide, oxidative stress,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Postbiotics are health-promoting microbial metabolites delivered as a functional food or a food supplement. They either directly influence signaling pathways of the body or indirectly manipulate metabolism and the composition of intestinal microflora. Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide and even though the prognosis of patients is improving, it is still poor in the substantial part of the cases. The preventable nature of cancer and the importance of a complex multi-level approach in anticancer therapy motivate the search for novel avenues of establishing the anticancer environment in the human body. This review summarizes the principal findings demonstrating the usefulness of both natural and synthetic sources of postbotics in the prevention and therapy of cancer. Specifically, the effects of crude cell-free supernatants, the short-chain fatty acid butyrate, lactic acid, hydrogen sulfide, and β-glucans are described. Contradictory roles of postbiotics in healthy and tumor tissues are highlighted. In conclusion, the application of postbiotics is an efficient complementary strategy to combat cancer.

• Klíčová slova
• GPR81, SCFA, colorectal cancer, functional food, intestinal metabolome, microbiome,
• MeSH
• beta-glukany farmakologie   MeSH
• butyráty farmakologie   MeSH
• kyselina mléčná farmakologie   MeSH
• kyseliny mastné těkavé metabolismus   farmakologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• metabolom MeSH
• nádory dietoterapie   metabolismus   MeSH
• potravní doplňky mikrobiologie   MeSH
• prebiotika mikrobiologie   MeSH
• probiotika metabolismus   farmakologie   MeSH
• střevní mikroflóra účinky léků   MeSH
• sulfan farmakologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• beta-glukany MeSH
• butyráty MeSH
• kyselina mléčná MeSH
• kyseliny mastné těkavé MeSH
• prebiotika MeSH
• sulfan MeSH

After being historically considered as noxious agents, nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) are now listed as gasotransmitters, gaseous molecules that play a key role in a variety of cellular functions. Both NO and H2S are endogenously produced, enzymatically or non-enzymatically, and interact with each other in a range of cells and tissues. In spite of the great advances achieved in recent decades in other biological systems, knowledge about H2S function and interactions with NO in sperm biology is in its infancy. Here, we aim to provide an update on the importance of these molecules in the physiology of the male gamete. Special emphasis is given to the most recent advances in the metabolism, mechanisms of action, and effects (both physiological and pathophysiological) of these gasotransmitters. This manuscript also illustrates the physiological implications of NO and H2S observed in other cell types, which might be important for sperm function. The relevance of these gasotransmitters to several signaling pathways within sperm cells highlights their potential use for the improvement and successful application of assisted reproductive technologies.

• Klíčová slova
• gasotransmitters, hydrogen sulfide, interaction, metabolism, nitric oxide, spermatozoa,
• MeSH
• gasotransmitery chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• oxid dusnatý metabolismus   MeSH
• oxidace-redukce MeSH
• oxidační stres MeSH
• reaktivní formy dusíku chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• síra chemie   metabolismus   MeSH
• spermie chemie   enzymologie   metabolismus   fyziologie   MeSH
• sulfan metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• gasotransmitery MeSH
• oxid dusnatý MeSH
• reaktivní formy dusíku MeSH
• síra MeSH
• sulfan MeSH

The role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is addressed in Xenopuslaevis oocytes. Three enzymes involved in H2S metabolism, cystathionine β-synthase, cystathionine γ-lyase, and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase, were detected in prophase I and metaphase II-arrested oocytes and drove an acceleration of oocyte meiosis resumption when inhibited. Moreover, meiosis resumption is associated with a significant decrease in endogenous H2S. On another hand, a dose-dependent inhibition was obtained using the H2S donor, NaHS (1 and 5 mM). NaHS impaired translation. NaHS did not induce the dissociation of the components of the M-phase promoting factor (MPF), cyclin B and Cdk1, nor directly impacted the MPF activity. However, the M-phase entry induced by microinjection of metaphase II MPF-containing cytoplasm was diminished, suggesting upstream components of the MPF auto-amplification loop were sensitive to H2S. Superoxide dismutase and catalase hindered the effects of NaHS, and this sensitivity was partially dependent on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In contrast to other species, no apoptosis was promoted. These results suggest a contribution of H2S signaling in the timing of amphibian oocytes meiosis resumption.

• Klíčová slova
• Xenopus laevis, cell cycle, hydrogen sulfide, meiosis, oocyte,
• MeSH
• apoptóza účinky léků   MeSH
• cyklin B metabolismus   MeSH
• cystathionin-beta-synthasa antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• cystathionin-gama-lyasa antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• cytoplazma metabolismus   MeSH
• faktor podporující zrání metabolismus   MeSH
• fosfatasy cdc25 metabolismus   MeSH
• katalasa metabolismus   MeSH
• meióza účinky léků   MeSH
• metafáze účinky léků   MeSH
• oocyty chemie   enzymologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• profáze meiózy I účinky léků   MeSH
• proteinkinasy metabolismus   MeSH
• proteiny buněčného cyklu metabolismus   MeSH
• proteiny Xenopus metabolismus   MeSH
• reaktivní formy kyslíku metabolismus   MeSH
• signální transdukce účinky léků   MeSH
• sulfan metabolismus   MeSH
• sulfidy metabolismus   farmakologie   MeSH
• sulfurtransferasy antagonisté a inhibitory   metabolismus   MeSH
• superoxiddismutasa metabolismus   MeSH
• viabilita buněk účinky léků   MeSH
• Xenopus laevis MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• 3-mercaptopyruvate sulphurtransferase MeSH Prohlížeč
• CDC25C protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• CDK1 protein, Xenopus MeSH Prohlížeč
• cyklin B MeSH
• cystathionin-beta-synthasa MeSH
• cystathionin-gama-lyasa MeSH
• faktor podporující zrání MeSH
• fosfatasy cdc25 MeSH
• katalasa MeSH
• proteinkinasy MeSH
• proteiny buněčného cyklu MeSH
• proteiny Xenopus MeSH
• reaktivní formy kyslíku MeSH
• sodium bisulfide MeSH Prohlížeč
• sulfan MeSH
• sulfidy MeSH
• sulfurtransferasy MeSH
• superoxiddismutasa MeSH

Creation of both gametes, sperm and oocyte, and their fusion during fertilization are essential step for beginning of life. Although molecular mechanisms regulating gametogenesis, fertilization, and early embryonic development are still subjected to intensive study, a lot of phenomena remain unclear. Based on our best knowledge and own results, we consider gasotransmitters to be essential for various signalisation in oocytes and embryos. In accordance with nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) physiological necessity, their involvement during oocyte maturation and regulative role in fertilization followed by embryonic development have been described. During these processes, NO- and H2S-derived posttranslational modifications represent the main mode of their regulative effect. While NO represent the most understood gasotransmitter and H2S is still intensively studied gasotransmitter, appreciation of carbon monoxide (CO) role in reproduction is still missing. Overall understanding of gasotransmitters including their interaction is promising for reproductive medicine and assisted reproductive technologies (ART), because these approaches contend with failure of in vitro assisted reproduction.

• MeSH
• asistovaná reprodukce * MeSH
• gametogeneze fyziologie   MeSH
• gasotransmitery metabolismus   fyziologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• oocyty metabolismus   fyziologie   MeSH
• oxid dusnatý metabolismus   fyziologie   MeSH
• oxid uhelnatý metabolismus   fyziologie   MeSH
• posttranslační úpravy proteinů MeSH
• sulfan metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• gasotransmitery MeSH
• oxid dusnatý MeSH
• oxid uhelnatý MeSH
• sulfan MeSH

Porcine oocytes that have matured in in vitro conditions undergo the process of aging during prolonged cultivation, which is manifested by spontaneous parthenogenetic activation, lysis or fragmentation of aged oocytes. This study focused on the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the process of porcine oocyte aging. H2S is a gaseous signaling molecule and is produced endogenously by the enzymes cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS), cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) and 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MPST). We demonstrated that H2S-producing enzymes are active in porcine oocytes and that a statistically significant decline in endogenous H2S production occurs during the first day of aging. Inhibition of these enzymes accelerates signs of aging in oocytes and significantly increases the ratio of fragmented oocytes. The presence of exogenous H2S from a donor (Na2S.9H2O) significantly suppressed the manifestations of aging, reversed the effects of inhibitors and resulted in the complete suppression of oocyte fragmentation. Cultivation of aging oocytes in the presence of H2S donor positively affected their subsequent embryonic development following parthenogenetic activation. Although no unambiguous effects of exogenous H2S on MPF and MAPK activities were detected and the intracellular mechanism underlying H2S activity remains unclear, our study clearly demonstrates the role of H2S in the regulation of porcine oocyte aging.

• MeSH
• cystathionin-beta-synthasa metabolismus   MeSH
• cystathionin-gama-lyasa metabolismus   MeSH
• embryo savčí účinky léků   MeSH
• inhibitory enzymů farmakologie   MeSH
• kultivace embrya MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• oocyty účinky léků   fyziologie   MeSH
• partenogeneze účinky léků   MeSH
• prasata MeSH
• stárnutí buněk účinky léků   MeSH
• sulfan metabolismus   farmakologie   MeSH
• sulfurtransferasy metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• 3-mercaptopyruvate sulphurtransferase MeSH Prohlížeč
• cystathionin-beta-synthasa MeSH
• cystathionin-gama-lyasa MeSH
• inhibitory enzymů MeSH
• sulfan MeSH
• sulfurtransferasy MeSH

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been revealed to be a signal molecule with second messenger action in the somatic cells of many tissues, including the reproductive tract. The aim of this study was to address how exogenous H2S acts on the meiotic maturation of porcine oocytes, including key maturation factors such as MPF and MAPK, and cumulus expansion intensity of cumulus-oocyte complexes. We observed that the H2S donor, Na2S, accelerated oocyte in vitro maturation in a dose-dependent manner, following an increase of MPF activity around germinal vesicle breakdown. Concurrently, the H2S donor affected cumulus expansion, monitored by hyaluronic acid production. Our results suggest that the H2S donor influences oocyte maturation and thus also participates in the regulation of cumulus expansion. The exogenous H2S donor apparently affects key signal pathways of oocyte maturation and cumulus expansion, resulting in faster oocyte maturation with little need of cumulus expansion.

• MeSH
• extracelulárním signálem regulované MAP kinasy metabolismus   MeSH
• faktor podporující zrání metabolismus   MeSH
• gasotransmitery farmakologie   MeSH
• kokultivační techniky MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• kumulární buňky cytologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• meióza účinky léků   MeSH
• oocyty cytologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• prasata MeSH
• sulfan farmakologie   MeSH
• sulfidy farmakologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• extracelulárním signálem regulované MAP kinasy MeSH
• faktor podporující zrání MeSH
• gasotransmitery MeSH
• sodium sulfide MeSH Prohlížeč
• sulfan MeSH
• sulfidy MeSH