Resveratrol is a phytoalexin present in plant-derived foods, including grape’s skin, cocoa, and peanuts. Evidence suggests that it has beneficial effects on human health because of its antioxidant properties. However, there is limited knowledge about the part played by resveratrol in ovarian function. In this paper, the influence of resveratrol on granulosa cells (GC) was evaluated. In addition to being the main estradiol producers, GC are in direct contact with the oocyte, playing a fundamental role in its growth and development. The cell line COV434 and human granulosa cells (hGC), obtained from women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART), were used. GC were treated with resveratrol (0.001–20 μM) at different times (24–72 h). Low concentrations of this compound suggest a protective role, as they tend to reduce ROS/RNS formation after inducement of stress. On the contrary, high concentrations of resveratrol affect GC viability and steroidogenic function. As it may act as a direct modulator of GC oxidative balance, this work may help to clarify the impact of resveratrol on GC and the usefulness of this antioxidant as adjunct to infertility treatments.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (CoViD-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Among many symptoms, cough, fever and tiredness are the most common. People over 60 years old and with associated comorbidities are most likely to develop a worsening health condition. This paper proposes a non-integer order model to describe the dynamics of CoViD-19 in a standard population. The model incorporates the reinfection rate in the individuals recovered from the disease. Numerical simulations are performed for different values of the order of the fractional derivative and of reinfection rate. The results are discussed from a biological point of view.

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Although N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA; also known as anandamide) is present in human follicular fluid (FF), its regulation remains unknown. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to: (1) investigate the relationships between FF AEA concentrations in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology and their age, body mass index, ART characteristics and fertility treatment outcomes; and (2) assess how different inflammatory patterns may trigger AEA production by human granulosa cells (hGCs). FF AEA concentrations were higher in women undergoing IVF than in those undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection group. FF AEA median concentrations were lower in women undergoing ART because of male factor infertility than in women with endometriosis (1.6 vs 2.5nM respectively), but not women with tubal, hormonal or unexplained infertility (1.6, 2.4 and 1.9nM respectively). To evaluate the effects of macrophages on AEA production by hGCs, hGCs were cocultured with monocyte-derived macrophages. The conditioned medium from M1 polarised macrophages increased AEA production by hGCs. This was accompanied by an increase in AEA-metabolising enzymes, particularly N-acyl phosphatidylethanolamine-specific phospholipase D. The results of the present study show that high FF AEA concentrations in patients with endometriosis may be associated with the recruitment of inflammatory chemokines within the ovary, which together may contribute to the decreased reproductive potential of women with endometriosis. Collectively, these findings add a new player to the hormone and cytokine networks that regulate fertility in women.

Small-cell carcinoma of the ovary of hypercalcemic type (SCCOHT) and endometrial cancer from type 1 and type 2 are gynecological tumors that affect women worldwide. The treatment encompasses the use of cytotoxic drugs that are nonspecific and inefficient. “Mitocans,” a family of drugs that specifically target tumor cells’ mitochondria, might be a solution, as they conjugate compounds, such as antioxidants, with carriers, such as lipophilic cations, that direct them to the mitochondria. In this study, caffeic acid was conjugated with triphenylphosphonium (TPP), 4-picolinium, or isoquinolinium, forming 3 new compounds (Mito6_TPP, Mito6_picol., and Mito6_isoq.) that were tested on ovarian (COV434) and endometrial (Hec50co and Ishikawa) cancer cells. The results of MTT and neutral red assays suggested a time- and concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability in all tumor cell lines. The presence of apoptosis was indicated by the Giemsa and Höechst staining and by the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential. The measurement of intracellular reactive oxygen species demonstrated the antioxidant properties of these compounds, which might be related to cell death. Generally, Mito6_TPP was more active at lower concentrations than Mito6_picol. or Mito6_isoq., but was accompanied by more cytotoxic effects, as shown by the lactate dehydrogenase release. Non-tumorous cells (HFF-1) showed no changes after treatment. This study assessed the potential of these compounds as anticancer agents, although further investigation is needed.

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