In order to investigate the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-6 soluble receptor (sR) in human ovulation, we evaluated the concentrations in human follicular fluid and analyzed the correlation of IL-6 and IL-6 sR with oocyte maturation. The oocytes were obtained from the follicular fluid of 45 women undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. The concentrations of IL-6 and IL-6 sR in follicular fluid were measured by ELISA. In addition, granulosa cells obtained from the follicular fluid were cultured and treated with forskolin and 12- o-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate for 24-48 h. The concentration of IL-6 was significantly higher in the follicular fluid than in the serum (P<0.01). In contrast, the concentration of IL-6 sR was significantly lower in the follicular fluid than in the serum (P<0.001). The concentrations of IL-6 and IL-6 sR were significantly higher in the follicular fluid containing mature oocytes than in fluid containing immature oocytes (P<0.05). The production of IL-6 was markedly increased over the basal level after 24 h of treatment with forskolin (P<0.001) and 48 h of treatment (P<0.01) with cultured granulosa cells. Our data suggest that IL-6 and IL-6 sR may play an important role in follicular growth and development in human preovulatory processes. It is possible that IL-6 in particular may be regulated by cAMP. IL-6 and IL-6 sR might also be valuable biochemical markers in the evaluation of oocyte maturation.

Carboplatin, a second-generation platinum-containing anticancer drug, is currently being used against a variety of cancers. High-dose carboplatin chemotherapy can cause renal tubular injury in cancer patients. However, the biochemical mechanism of carboplatin-induced renal injury has not been well studied. This study investigated the dose response of carboplatin-induced changes in endogenous antioxidants, lipid peroxidation and platinum content in rat kidney. Male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were divided into five groups and treated as follows: (1) control (saline, intraperitoneally); (2) carboplatin (64 mg/kg, intraperitoneally); (3) carboplatin (128 mg/kg, intraperitoneally); (4) carboplatin (192 mg/kg, intraperitoneally); and (5) carboplatin (256 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). The animals were sacrificed four days after treatment. The blood and kidneys were isolated and analyzed. Plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels were increased significantly in response to carboplatin in a dose-dependent manner. Renal superoxide dismutase and catalase activities were decreased significantly due to carboplatin at dosages of 128 mg/kg and above. The protein expressions of renal copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase and manganese-superoxide dismutase significantly depleted after carboplatin. Carboplatin (192 and 256 mg/kg) significantly increased lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde concentration) in rat kidneys. Carboplatin dose-dependently increased the renal platinum concentration, with significance at dosages of 128 mg/kg and above. Carboplatin (256 mg/kg) significantly increased renal xanthine oxidase activity, while ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione depleted significantly. The data suggested that carboplatin caused dose-dependent oxidative renal injury, as evidenced by renal antioxidant depletion, enhanced lipid peroxidation, platinum content, plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels in rats.