Browsing by Subject "tissue distribution"
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Item Nesfatin-1 and ghrelin levels in serum and saliva of epileptic patients: Hormonal changes can have a major effect on seizure disorders(2009) Aydin S.; Dag E.; Ozkan Y.; Erman F.; Dagli A.F.; Kilic N.; Sahin I.; Karatas F.; Yoldas T.; Barim A.O.; Kendir Y.Nesfatin-1 and ghrelin are the two recently discovered peptide hormones involved in the control of appetite. Besides its main appetite-control function, ghrelin also has anticonvulsant effects, while nesfatin-1 causes depolarization in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). The aims of this study, therefore, were to investigate: (i) whether there are differences in the concentrations of nesfatin-1 and ghrelin in saliva and serum samples between eplilepsy patients and normal controls and (ii) whether salivary glands produce nesfatin-1. The study included a total of 73 subjects: 8 patients who were newly diagnosed with primary generalized seizures and had recently started antiepileptic drug therapy; 21 who had primary generalized seizures and were continuing with established antiepileptic drug therapy; 24 who had partial seizures (simple: n = 12 or complex: n = 12) and were continuing with established antiepileptic drug therapy; and 20 controls. Salivary gland tissue samples were analyzed for nesfatin-1 expression by immunochemistry and ELISA. Saliva and serum ghrelin levels were measured by ELISA and RIA, and nesfatin-1 levels by ELISA. Nesfatin-1 immunoreactivity was detected in the striated and interlobular parts of the salivary glands and the ducts. The nesfatin-1 level in the brain was around 12 times higher than in the salivary gland. Before antiepileptic treatment, both saliva and serum nesfatin-1 levels were around 160-fold higher in patients who are newly diagnosed with primary generalized epilepsy (PGE) than in controls; these levels decreased with treatment but remained about 10 times higher than the control values. Saliva and serum nesfatin-1 levels from patients with PGE and partial epilepsies who were continuing antiepileptic drugs were also 10-fold higher than control values. Serum and saliva ghrelin levels were significantly (twofold) lower in epileptic patients before treatment than in controls; they recovered somewhat with treatment but remained below the control values. These results suggest that the low ghrelin and especially the dramatically elevated nesfatin-1 levels might contribute to the pathophyisology of epilepsy. Therefore, serum and saliva ghrelin and especially the remarkably increased nesfatin-1 might be candidate biomarkers for the diagnosis of epilepsy and for monitoring the response to anti-epileptic treatment. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. 2009.Item Isotopic dilution analysis of zinc in some tissue samples of urogenital systems of rats using 65Zn(2009) Ünak T.; Çal Ç.; Yildirim Y.; AvcIbaşI U.; Ünak G.Zinc plays an important role in prostate functions. For this reason, in this study some rats have been nourished with foods containing different zinc levels and some tissue samples removed at different intervals of time from their prostate, testis, and seminal vesicle. The zinc contents of these samples have been determined using the isotopic dilution analysis technique applied with 65Zn. In this way, the zinc contents of tissues varying between 0.02-4.50 μg Zn/g wet tissue could be determined with good precision. As a result, the zinc content of the prostate was found to be considerably high with respect to the zinc contents of the testis and the seminal vesicle. It is also interesting to note that a high zinc level in foods results in the accumulation of zinc in the prostate rather than in the testis and the seminal vesicle. The zinc content of the seminal vesicle decreases with a function of time passed from the beginning of the diet which contrasts with the case of prostate. It is also very remarkable that when the level of zinc in the body is low, the content of zinc in the testis is considerably higher. © 2009 Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, Hungary.Item In vivo biodistribution of 131I labeled bleomycin (BLM) and isomers (A2 and B2) on experimental animal models(2010) AvcIbaşI U.; Demiroǧlu H.; Ünak P.; Müftüler F.Z.B.; Içhedef Ç.A.; Gümüşer F.G.Bleomycins (BLMs; BLM, A2, and B2) were labeled with 131I and radiopharmaceutical potentials were investigated using animal models in this study. Quality control procedures were carried out using thin layer radiochromatography (TLRC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and liquid chromatography (LC/MS/MS). Labeling yields of radiolabeled BLMs were found to be 90, 68, and 71%, respectively. HPLC chromatograms were taken for BLM and cold iodinated BLM (127I-BLM). Five peaks were detected for BLM and three peaks for 127I-BLM in the HPLC studies. Two peaks belong to isomers of BLM. The isomers of BLM were purified with using HPLC. Biological activity of BLM was determined on male Albino Wistar rats by biodistribution and scintigraphic studies were performed for BLMs by using New Zelland rabbits. The biodistribution results of 131I-BLM showed high uptake in the stomach, the bladder, the prostate, the testicle, and the spinal cord in rats. Scintigraphic results on rabbits agrees with that of biodistributional studies on rats. The scintigraphy of radiolabeled isomers (131I-A2 and 131I-B2) are similiarly found with that of 131I-BLM. © 2010 Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, Hungary.Item Synthesis, radiolabeling and in vivo biodistribution of diethylstilbestrol phosphate derivative (DES-P)(2012) Ünak P.; Biber Müftüler F.Z.; Içhedef Ç.; Medine E.I.; Özmen K.; Ünak T.; Kilçar A.Y.; Gümüşer F.G.; Parlak Y.; Bilgin E.S.Diethylstilbestrol (DES) is a well known, nonsteroidal estrogen with high affinity for the estrogen receptor (ER). Today DES is used to treat breast and prostate cancers. A phosphate derivative of DES [Diethylstilbestrol diphosphate (DES-P)] which is specific to tumor cells consisting alkaline phosphatase enzyme was synthesized and labeled with 99mTc using tin chloride as reducing agent. In vivo biological activity of 99mTc labeled diethylstilbestrol phosphate compound ( 99mTc-DES-P) was examined by biodistribution studies on Wistar Albino rats. Statistical evaluation was performed using SPSS 13 program. The percentage (%) radiolabeling yield of 99mTc-DES-P and quality control studies were done by Thin Layer Radio Chromatography (TLRC). Results showed that, 99mTc-DES-P may be proposed as an imaging agent for ER enriched tumors such as uterus and prostate and their metastases in bones. © 2012 Akadémiai Kiadó.Item Expression of nitric oxide synthase in primary and recurrent pterygium; [Primer ve tekrarlayan pteryjiumlarda nitrik oksid sentaz ekspresyonu](2012) Emre S.; Vatansever S.H.; Türköz E.; Kayikçioǧlu O.R.Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of different nitric oxide synthases (NOSs) in primary and recurrent pterygia and to investigate the probable role of any nitric oxide synthase on pterygium recurrence. Materials and Method: Specimens of 40 primary pterygia and 10 recurrent pterygia excised during pterygium surgery were included in the study. Also, 15 normal conjunctiva of medial limbus obtained from patients free of pterygia and removed during other ophthalmologic surgeries formed the control group. Specimens were stained with hematoxylin and eosin for general histological and morphologic evaluation. The distribution of n-NOS, e-NOS and i-NOS were analyzed using indirect immunoperoxidase staining. Results: Histological evaluation of specimens revealed that the epithelium in primary and recurrent pterygia groups was thicker compared to that in the control group. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that in both primary pterygium and control groups, immunoreactivity was positive for all NOSs in both epithelium and connective tissue. For recurrent pterygium group, NOS immunoreactivity could be detected moderately for n-NOS in the epithelium and weakly for e-NOS in both epithelium and connective tissue. However, in recurrent pterygium samples, i-NOS immunoreactivity was lacking in both epithelium and connective tissue. Discussion: These data are the first to demonstrate that NOS expression may differ between primary and recurrent pterygia. Meanwhile, continuous expression of n-NOS with suppression of i-NOS and e-NOS may be an important step in the recurrence process of pterygia.Item Enhanced intracellular translocation and biodistribution of gold nanoparticles functionalized with a cell-penetrating peptide (VG-21) from vesicular stomatitis virus(Elsevier Ltd, 2014) Tiwari P.M.; Eroglu E.; Bawage S.S.; Vig K.; Miller M.E.; Pillai S.; Dennis V.A.; Singh S.R.Reduced toxicity and ease of modification make gold nanoparticles (GNPs) suitable for targeted delivery, bioimaging and theranostics by conjugating cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). This study presents the biodistribution and enhanced intracellular uptake of GNPs functionalized with VG-21, a CPP derived from vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (G). Cell penetrating efficiency of VG-21 was demonstrated using CellPPD web server, conjugated to GNPs and were characterized using, UV-visible and FTIR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential. Uptake of VG-21 functionalized GNPs (fGNPs) was tested in eukaryotic cell lines, HEp-2, HeLa, Vero and Cos-7, using flow cytometry, fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and inductively coupled plasmon optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The effects of nanoparticles on stress and toxicity related genes were studied in HEp-2cells. Cytokine response to fGNPs was studied invitro and invivo. Biodistribution of nanoparticles was studied in BALB/c mice using TEM and ICP-OES. VG-21, GNPs and fGNPs had little to no effect on cell viability. Upon exposure to fGNPs, HEp-2cells revealed minimal down regulation of stress response genes. fGNPs displayed higher uptake than GNPs in all cell lines with highest internalization by HEp-2, HeLa and Cos-7cells, in endocytotic vesicles and nuclei. Cytokine ELISA showed that mouse J774cells exposed to fGNPs produced less IL-6 than did GNP-treated macrophage cells, whereas TNF-α levels were low in both treatment groups. Biodistribution studies in BALB/c mice revealed higher accumulation of fGNPs than GNPs in the liver and spleen. Histopathological analyses showed that fGNP-treated mice accumulated 35ng/mg tissue and 20ng/mg tissue gold in spleen and liver respectively, without any adverse effects. Likewise, serum cytokines were low in both GNP- and fGNP-treated mice. Thus, VG-21-conjugated GNPs have enhanced cellular internalization and are suitable for various biomedical applications as nano-conjugates. © 2014 The Authors.Item Evaluation of 131I-Pentamidine for scintigraphy of experimentally Leishmania tropica-infected hamsters(Informa Healthcare, 2014) Inceboz T.; Lambrecht F.Y.; Eren M.Ş.; Girginkardeşler N.; Bekiş R.; Yilmaz O.; Er Ö.; Özbilgin A.We aimed to assess the ability of 131I-Pentamidine scintigraphy to detect the lesions of Leishmania tropica infection. An experimental model of cutaneous leishmaniasis was developed. The presence of cutaneous leishmaniasis was confirmed. Pentamidine was radioiodinated with 131I. The radiolabeled pentamidine was validated by the requisite quality control tests to check its radiolabeling efficiency, in vitro stability. 131I- Pentamidine (activity: 18.5 MBq/100 l) was injected intracardiacally into infected hamsters. Static whole body images of the hamsters were acquired under the gamma camera at 5 and 30 in, 2, 6 and 24 h following the administration. On the scintigrams, anatomically adjusted regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn over the right feet (target) and left feet (not-target) and various organs. Accumulation of 131I-Pentamidine at sites of infection is expressed as the target to non-target (T/NT) ratio. The results T/NT ratio decreased with time. In concluding the 131I-Pentamidine has poor sensitivity in detection of L. tropica infection. © 2014 Informa UK Ltd. All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.Item Samarium-153 therapy for prostate cancer: The evaluation of urine activity, staff exposure and dose rate from patients(Oxford University Press, 2015) Parlak Y.; Gumuser G.; Sayit E.The aim of this study was to determine the excretion of Samarium-153-ethylenediaminetetramethylphosphonic acid (153Sm- EDTMP) in urine and to calculate the dose rate of its retention in the body as a function of time and the dose received by the skin of laboratory staff 's finger. Urine samples were collected from 11 patients after intravenous injection of 153Sm-EDTMP. The measurements of dose rate were performed. Thermoluminescent dosemeters were used for absorbed dose measurements. Effective half-lives that were calculated from urine sample measurements were found as 7.1±3 h within the first 24 h. Whole body dose rates before collecting urine of patients were 60.0 ± 15.7 μSv h21 for within 1 h following 153Sm-EDTMP administration. The highest finger radiation dose is to the right-hand thumb (3.8 ± 2 mGy). The results of the study imply that patients who recieved 153Sm-EDTMP therapy should be kept a minumum of 8 h in an isolated room at hospital and that one staff should give therapy at most two patients per week. © The Author 2014.Item Gamma scintigraphy and biodistribution of 99mTc-cefotaxime sodium in preclinical models of bacterial infection and sterile inflammation(John Wiley and Sons Ltd, 2016) Ilem-Ozdemir D.; Asikoglu M.; Ozkilic H.; Yilmaz F.; Hosgor-Limoncu M.; Ayhan S.99mTc-cefotaxime sodium (99mTc-CEF) was developed and standardized under varying conditions of reducing and antioxidant agent concentration, pH, radioactivity dose, and reducing agent type. Labeling studies were performed by changing the selected parameters one by one, and optimum labeling conditions were determined. After observing the conditions for maximum labeling efficiency and stability, lyophilized freeze dry kits were prepared accordingly. Simple method for radiolabeling of CEF with 99mTc has been developed and standardized. Labeling efficiency of 99mTc-CEF was assessed by both radio thin-layer chromatography and radio high-performance liquid chromatography and found higher than 90%. The labeled compound was found to be stable in saline and human serum up to 24 h. Two different freeze dry kits were developed and evaluated. Based on the data obtained from this study, both products were stable for 6 months with high labeling efficiency. The prepared cold kit was found sterile and pyrogen free. The bacterial infection and sterile inflammation imaging capacity of 99mTc-CEF was evaluated. Based on the in vivo studies, 99mTc-CEF has higher uptake in infected and inflamed thigh muscle than healthy thigh muscle. Cefotaxime sodium (CEF) was successfully labeled with 99mTc from newly developed instant kit. Radiochemical purity was found greater than 90% and the labeled compound was stable in human serum during incubation period up to 24 h. The improved kit was found to be sterile, pyrogen free and stable up to 6 months. According to gamma scintigraphy studies, 99mTc-CEF showed a higher uptake in bacterial infected and sterile inflamed muscle than healthy thigh muscle. © Copyright 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.Item The effect of kinetin on wheat seedlings exposed to boron(Elsevier Masson SAS, 2016) Eser A.; Aydemir T.The objective of this study was to examine relationship between boron (B) induced oxidative stress and antioxidant system in boron sensitive and tolerant wheat cultivars Bezostaya and Kutluk, and also to investigate whether Kinetin (KN) enhances the level of antioxidant system, relative growth, concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline and chlorophyll content in both cultivars exposed to B stress. B treatments diminished growth and chlorophyll content whereas, it enhanced accumulation of H2O2, MDA and proline, and various antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) in the shoot and root of both cultivars. However, the follow-up application of KN to the B stressed plants improved growth and chlorophyll content and further enhanced the mentioned antioxidant enzymes and level of H2O2, MDA and proline. This study thus suggests that KN improves B tolerance of the studied cultivars grown under B toxicity. © 2016Item Novel 99mTc(III)-azide complexes [99mTc(N3)(CDO)(CDOH)2B-R] (CDOH2 = cyclohexanedione dioxime) as potential radiotracers for heart imaging(Elsevier Inc., 2016) Liu M.; Zheng Y.; Avcibasi U.; Liu S.Introduction In this study, novel 99mTc(III)-azide complexes [99mTc(N3)(CDO)(CDOH)2B-R] (99mTc-ISboroxime-N3: R = IS; 99mTc-MPboroxime-N3: R = MP; 99mTc-PAboroxime-N3: R = PA; 99mTc-PYboroxime-N3: R = PY; and 99mTc-Uboroxime-N3: R = 5U) were evaluated as heart imaging agents. Methods Complexes [99mTc(N3)(CDO)(CDOH)2B-R] (R = IS, MP, PA, PY and 5U) were prepared by ligand exchange between NaN3 and [99mTcCl(CDO)(CDOH)2B-R]. Biodistribution and imaging studies were carried out in Sprague–Dawley rats. Image quantification was performed to compare their initial heart uptake and myocardial retention. Results 99mTc-ISboroxime-N3, 99mTc-PYboroxime-N3 and 99mTc-Uboroxime-N3 were prepared with high RCP (93–98%) while the RCP of 99mTc-MPboroxime-N3 and 99mTc-PAboroxime-N3 was 80–85%. The myocardial retention curves of 99mTc-ISboroxime-N3, 99mTc-PYboroxime-N3 and 99mTc-Uboroxime-N3 were best fitted to the bi-exponential decay function. The half-time of the fast component was 1.6 ± 0.4 min for 99mTc-ISboroxime-N3, 0.7 ± 0.1 min for 99mTc-PYboroxime-N3 and 0.9 ± 0.4 min for 99mTc-Uboroxime-N3. The 2-min heart uptake from biodistribution studies followed the ranking order of 99mTc-ISboroxime-N3 (3.60 ± 0.68%ID/g) > 99mTc-PYboroxime-N3 (2.35 ± 0.37%ID/g) ≫ 99mTc-Uboroxime-N3 (1.29 ± 0.06%ID/g). 99mTc-ISboroxime-N3 had the highest 2-min heart uptake among 99mTc radiotracers revaluated in SD rats. High quality SPECT images were obtained with the right and left ventricular walls being clearly delineated. The best image acquisition window was 0–5 min for 99mTc-ISboroxime-N3. Conclusion Both azide coligand and boronate caps had significant impact on the heart uptake and myocardial retention of complexes [99mTc(N3)(CDO)(CDOH)2B-R]. Among the radiotracers evaluated in SD rats, 99mTc-ISboroxime-N3 has the highest initial heart uptake with the heart retention comparable to that of 99mTc-Teboroxime. 99mTc-ISboroxime-N3 is a promising alternative to 99mTc-Teboroxime for SPECT MPI. © 2016 Elsevier Inc.Item Synthesis, characterization and radiolabeling of folic acid modified nanostructured lipid carriers as a contrast agent and drug delivery system(Elsevier Ltd, 2017) Ucar E.; Teksoz S.; Ichedef C.; Kilcar A.Y.; Medine E.I.; Ari K.; Parlak Y.; Sayit Bilgin B.E.; Unak P.Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) are the new generation of solid lipid drug delivery systems. Their suitability as contrast agents for gamma scintigraphy is an attracting major attention. The aim of current study was to prepare surface modified nanostructured lipid carrier system for paclitaxel (PTX) with active targeting and imaging functions. In accordance with the purpose of study, PTX loaded nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) prepared, modified with a folate derivative and radiolabeled with technetium-99 m tricarbonyl complex (99 mTc(CO)3 +). Cellular incorporation ratios of radiolabeled nanoparticles (99 mTc(CO)3-PTX-NLC) were investigated in vitro on three cancer cell lines. Additionally in vivo animal studies conducted to evaluate biological behavior of 99 mTc(CO)3-PTX-NLC on female Wistar Albino rats. Biodistribution results showed that the folate derivative modified 99 mTc(CO)3-PTX-NLC had considerably higher uptake in folate receptor positive organs. The data obtained from present study could be useful in the design of biodegradable drug carriers of PTX and folate receptor based tumor imaging agents. © 2016 Elsevier LtdItem One-step conjugation of glycylglycine with [18F]FDG and a pilot PET imaging study(Springer Netherlands, 2018) Şenk A.M.; İçhedef Ç.; Kılçar A.Y.; Uçar E.; Arı K.; Göksoy D.; Parlak Y.; Sayıt Bilgin B.E.; Teksöz S.This study describes a single step conjugation of Glycylglycine (GlyGly) which is a small peptide, with [18F]FDG via oxime formation. Amiooxy-functionalization of GlyGly (AO-GlyGly) was accomplished through the reaction of Boc-aminooxy succinimide ester. Conjugation reaction was performed at 100 °C for 30 min in a vial containing AO-GlyGly and [18F]FDG solution. The radiolabeled product ([18F]FDG-GlyGly) was obtained with 98.65 ± 0.35% yield without any purification step which makes this method more attractive for 18F radiolabeling. The present study is concluded with an in vivo pilot animal PET study to assess biodistribution and kinetics of chemoselectively [18F]FDG tagged GlyGly in vivo. © 2018, Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest, Hungary.Item A novel radiolabeled graft polymer: Investigation of the radiopharmaceutical potential using Albino Wistar rats(Elsevier Ltd, 2019) Avcıbaşı U.; Ateş B.; Ünak P.; Gümüşer F.G.; Gülcemal S.; Ol K.K.; Akgöl S.; Tekin V.Fe3O4 magnetic graft-Lys-poly(HEMA) was synthesized, labeled with 99mTc for the first time and its radiopharmaceutical potential was investigated using animal models in this study. Quality control procedures were carried out using thin layer radiochromatography. The labeling yield of radiolabeled polymer was found to be about 100%. Then, stability and lipophilicity were determined. The lipophilicity of 99mTc labeled Fe3O4 graft-Lys-poly(HEMA) was found to be 3.77. The serum stability experiments demonstrated that approximately 100% of radiolabeled polymer existed as an intact complex in the rat serum within 240 min. Biodistribution of radiolabeled magnetic graft-Lys-poly(HEMA) was performed on female Albino Wistar rats by scintigraphy and biodistribution studies. High uptake was seen in the stomach, the pancreas, brain, ovarian, intestines and the breast. © 2019 Elsevier LtdItem Evaluation of new 99mTc(CO)3 + radiolabeled glycylglycine In Vivo(Bentham Science Publishers, 2019) Şenışık A.M.; İçhedef Ç.; Kılçar A.Y.; Uçar E.; Arı K.; Parlak Y.; Bilgin E.S.; Teksöz S.Background: Peptide-based agents are used in molecular imaging due to their unique properties, such as rapid clearance from the circulation, high affinity and target selectivity. Many of the radiolabeled peptides have been clinically experienced with diagnostic accuracy. The aim of this study was to investigate in vivo biological behavior of [99mTc(CO)3(H2O)3]+ radiolabeled glycylglycine (GlyGly). Methods: Glycylglycine was radiolabeled with a high radiolabeling yield of 94.69±2%, and quality control of the radiolabeling process was performed by thin layer radiochromatography (TLRC) and High-Performance Liquid Radiochromatography (HPLRC). Lipophilicity study for radiolabeled complex (99mTc(CO)3-Gly-Gly) was carried out using solvent extraction. The in vivo evaluation was performed by both biodistribution and SPECT imaging. Results: The high radiolabelling yield of 99mTc(CO)3-GlyGly was obtained and verified by TLRC and HPLRC as well. According to the in vivo results, SPECT images and biodistribution data are in good accordance. The excretion route from the body was both hepatobiliary and renal. Conclusion: This study shows that 99mTc(CO)3-GlyGly has the potential to be used as a peptide-based imaging agent. Further studies, 99mTc(CO)3-GlyGly can be performed on tumor-bearing animals. © 2019 Bentham Science Publishers.Item α-Lipoic Acid Vaginal Administration Contrasts Inflammation and Preterm Delivery in Rats(SAGE Publications Inc., 2019) Micili S.C.; Goker A.; Kuscu K.; Ergur B.U.; Fuso A.α-Lipoic acid (ALA) is a safe natural molecule involved in the immunomodulation of many physiological processes. Orally administered ALA has been reported to treat several inflammatory pathologies and support pregnancy. Our study aimed at testing ALA vaginal administration in female Wistar rats evaluating its tissue distribution (experiment I), impact on implantation process (experiment II), and effectiveness in contrasting induced preterm birth (experiment III). In experiment I, rats were intravaginally treated with 50 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg ALA, or with a physiologic solution, for 4 days. α-Lipoic acid distribution in uterus and cervical tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemical analyses. In experiment II, rats received intravaginally the above treatments for 5 days, then they were mated and, if pregnant, included in the experiment to evaluate both implantation rate and the content of implantation mediators in uterus tissues. In experiment III, pregnant rats were pretreated with placebo or with vaginal ALA for 4 days and then induced to delivery with mifepristone plus PGE2 on the 19th day of pregnancy. The delivery time was recorded, and the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected in the uterine tissues by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry was also performed. Results showed that vaginal ALA was well absorbed and distributed. The treatment did not affect the implantation process and was able to significantly revert mifepristone plus prostaglandin E2 effects, delaying the timing of delivery and significantly decreasing mRNA synthesis and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We provide for the first time new information on vaginal ALA use, even during pregnancy, opening a perspective for further studies. © The Author(s) 2018.