Protective effect of green tea extract on the deltamethrin-induced toxicity in mice testis: An experimental study

Background: Deltamethrin (DM) is one of the environmental factors that can have destructive effects on the male fertility. Green tea (GT) as a medicinal herb, has antioxidant property. Objective: The present study investigated the protective role of GT extract in improving the harmful effects of DM on the testis. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 35 adult male mice (25–30 gr) were divided in to five groups (n = 7/each). The control group received only normal saline. Sham received 0.2 ml corn oil. Green tea group received only GT of 150 mg/kg. bw; deltamethrin group received the DM at a dose of 0.6 mg/kg. bw; GT + DM received both GT and DM. The effect of GT was assessed by measuring oxidative stress markers, sperm parameters, histological and immunohistochemical analysis. Results: The results showed that the count and motility of spermatozoa, testosterone, and Malondialdehyde significantly decreased (p < 0.001) and the abnormal spermatozoa increased (p < 0.001) in DM group compared to control group. Moreover, enhanced caspase-3expression and apoptosis were observed in DM-treated mice compared to control group. Histologically, DM with a degenerative effect on testicular tissue reduced the spermatogenesis progenitor cells. The epithelial height and the diameter of the seminiferous tubules were also reduced in the DM group. Treatment with GT in the DM-treated mice significantly improved these changes. Conclusion: With these findings, it was concluded that the GT treatment with antioxidant activity and anti-apoptotic property could protect the testicular injury induced by DM

Growth and chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human adipose tissue on chitosan scaffolds

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Treatment of cartilage damage for any reason is associated with temporary relief of joint pain. Providing the possibility of differentiating various stem cells into adult tissues can contribute to recovery and treatment of damaged cartilage tissue in skeletal system. In this study, chondrogenic potential of chitosan scaffold, CH-β-GP-HEC, with stem cells derived from human adipose tissue. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, adipose tissue-derived stem cells were separated from abdomen of 15 patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair. 6-7×105 cells were cultured in plate one-dimensionally and on chitosan scaffold three-dimensionally for 21 days. MTT assay was run to evaluate the toxic effect of scaffold on cell viability. Proliferation and differentiation of cells were studied in the two types of culture after toluidine blue staining. To confirm the formation of cartilage, expression of collagen type II was assessed by immunohistochemistry. FINDING: In MTT assay, the average OD for cells cultured on scaffold is higher than 0. 8 compared with control group, which confirms the nontoxicity of scaffold for culturing stem cells (p>0. 05). Chondrogenic differentiation of cells on scaffold shows more glycosaminoglycan deposition in the extracellular matrix compared with one-layer culture. Moreover, in group with three-dimensional culture system, cells were spherical and the morphology of nucleus was different from one-layer culture. Regarding immunohistochemistry results, increased synthesis was observed in collagen type II as chondrogenesis markers in three-dimensional culture system compared with one-layer culture. CONCLUSION: Results of the study revealed that hydrogel scaffold, CH-β-GP-HEC, with porous structure provides a better environment for the growth of mesenchymal stem cells and their differentiation into cartilage tissue. © 2016, Babol University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Comparison of conditioned medium and direct co-culture of human granulosa cells on mouse embryo development

189-192Although numerous investigations have demonstrated the beneficial effects of co-culture system of different somatic cells on in vitro development of embryos, the effects of conditioned-media of co-culture cells have not been well documented. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of human granulosa cells co-culture system and its conditioned medium on the developmental rate of mouse embryos in vitro. Two sets of experiments were undertaken; in the first one 317 mouse one-cell embryos were cultured in human granulosa cell co-culture system (GC), Ham’s F10 medium conditioned with granulosa cells (CM) and non-conditioned Ham’s F10 for 120 h. In the second experiment, 391 late two-cell embryos were cultured in the 3 fore-mentioned culture treatments for 72 h. Embryos were obtained from NMRI mice. Granulosa cells were collected from patients undergoing an IVF program during oocyte pickup. In the first set of experiments, 23.6, 14.5 and 11.1% of one-cell embryos passed two-cell block and continued growing to 4-cell in GC, CM and HF, respectively. This index in GC was significantly different from two other treatments. Also significantly more embryos reached blastocyst stage in GC compared with two other treatments. The blastocyst rate was not significantly different between CM and HF. In the second set of experiments the proportion of blastocyst stage was significantly higher in CM than that in HF and lower than that in GC. In conclusion, although human granulosa cell-conditioned medium has beneficial effects on mouse embryo development, it was not as effective as co-culture of these cells

Virgin olive oil ameliorates deltamethrin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice: A biochemical and immunohistochemical assessment

Objective: A major class of synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, deltamethrin (DM), can elicit pathophysiological effects through oxidative stress in non-targeted organisms such as mammals. There is accumulating evidence that virgin olive oil (VOO), a rich source of polyphenolic components, have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. This study aimed to determine the protective and ameliorative effects of VOO against DM-induced nephrotoxicity. Methods & materials: Mice were randomly divided into four equal groups: DM group, DM plus VOO group, VOO group, and vehicle group. Five weeks after gavaging, kidney samples were taken for biochemical assessment of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT), and for immunohistochemical assessment of caspase-3, cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Results: The MDA level in kidney was increased in the DM group, which was significantly decreased after VOO administration in the DM plus VOO group. The GSH level and CAT activiy in kidney were decreased in the DM group, which were significantly increased after VOO administration in the DM plus VOO group. Greater expression of caspase-3, cox-2, and PARP could be detected in the DM group, which was significantly attenuated in the DM plus VOO group. Also, the histopathological changes which were detected in the DM group attenuated after VOO consumption. Conclusion: Virgin olive oil exerted protective effects against deltamethrin-induced nephrotoxicity, which might be associated with its anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative properties. Keywords: Deltamethrin, Virgin olive oil, Antioxidant, Apoptosis, Inflammation, Nephrotoxicit

Alleviation of cisplatin‐induced hepatotoxicity by gliclazide: Involvement of oxidative stress and caspase‐3 activity

Abstract Aims Cisplatin (CP), as an effective alkylating agent, is widely used in cancer treatment, while hepatotoxicity is one of its side effects. Gliclazide (GLZ), as an oral hypoglycemic drug, has antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of GLZ against CP‐induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Methods In this experimental study, 64 adult male mice randomly were allocated into eight groups (8 mice/group). Control, GLZ (5, 10, and 25 mg/kg, orally), CP (10 mg/kg, single dose, intraperitoneally), and CP+GLZ (in three doses). GLZ was administrated for 10 consecutive days. CP was injected on the 7th day of the study. At the end of the experiment, hepatotoxicity was evaluated by serum and tissue biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical assessments. Results The data were revealed that CP increased oxidative stress (increased MDA and reduced GSH), liver damage enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), and immunoreactivity of caspase‐3 in liver tissue of CP‐injected mice. Also, CP induced histopathological changes such as eosinophilic of hepatocytes, dilatation of sinusoids, congestion, and proliferation of Kupffer cells. GLZ administration significantly ameliorated serum functional enzyme and hepatic oxidative stress markers in CP‐injected mice. In addition, the histological and immunohistochemical alterations were ameliorated in GLZ‐treated mice. Of the three doses, 10 and 25 mg/kg were more effective. Conclusions In conclusion, GLZ with its antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and anti‐apoptotic activities, can be suggested as a promising drug in the treatment of CP‐induced hepatotoxicity

Infertility in Mazandaran province - north of Iran: an etiological study

Background: The prevalence and etiology of infertility are not similar in different parts of the world. There are only few reports of this topic in Iran.Objective: This study was conducted to determine the clinical patterns and major causes of infertility in Mazandaran province in north of Iran.Materials and Methods: The medical records of 3734 consecutive couples attending two infertility clinics in Mazandaran province, from 2003 to 2008, were reviewed. The couples had not had a viable birth after at least 1 year of unprotected intercourse and were fully investigated.Results: Of the entire samples, 78.7% had primary infertility and 21.3% had secondary infertility. The mean duration of infertility in couples was 5.7±4 years. The etiology of infertility in couples revealed; male factor in 38.9%, female factor in 34.7%, combined factors in 14.6% and undetermined cause in 11.8%.Conclusion: In this study, delayed attendance of infertile couples to the infertility clinic was found. Therefore, there is a need to revise public health program on infertility to focus on the education and prevention of infertility and its risk factors

Infertility in Mazandaran province - north of Iran: an etiological study

Background: The prevalence and etiology of infertility are not similar in different parts of the world. There are only few reports of this topic in Iran. Objective: This study was conducted to determine the clinical patterns and major causes of infertility in Mazandaran province in north of Iran. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 3734 consecutive couples attending two infertility clinics in Mazandaran province, from 2003 to 2008, were reviewed. The couples had not had a viable birth after at least 1 year of unprotected intercourse and were fully investigated. Results: Of the entire samples, 78.7% had primary infertility and 21.3% had secondary infertility. The mean duration of infertility in couples was 5.7±4 years. The etiology of infertility in couples revealed; male factor in 38.9%, female factor in 34.7%, combined factors in 14.6% and undetermined cause in 11.8%. Conclusion: In this study, delayed attendance of infertile couples to the infertility clinic was found. Therefore, there is a need to revise public health program on infertility to focus on the education and prevention of infertility and its risk factors