The effects of myricitrin and vitamin E against reproductive changes induced by D-galactose as an aging model in female mice: An experimental study

Background: Aging is accompanied by decreasing general function in the cells and tissues. D-galactose (D-gal) induces aging and plays a role in the pathogenesis of it. Myricitrin is a plant-derived antioxidant. Objective: The present study was performed to evaluate the effects of myricitrin on antioxidant defense, sex hormone levels, uterus, and ovarian histology in D-galinduced aging female mouse model. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 72 female adult NMRI mice, weighing 30-35 gr, 3-4 months old, were randomly divided into six groups (n = 12/each): (I) Control (vehicle; normal saline), (II) D-gal at 500 mg/kg/d for 45 days, (III-V) D-gal + myricitrin-treated groups (these groups received myricitrin at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg/d, and (VI) D-gal + 100 mg/kg/d vitamin E orally for the last 28 days. The antioxidant indices were done on the basis of colorimetric method, and sex hormone levels were measured by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Histological assessment of the uterus and ovaries were also evaluated. Results: D-gal impaired the estrous cycle, also degenerative changes occur in the ovarian follicles and damage to the uterus and ovarian tissue occurrs. In D-gal group, the level of sex hormones (p = 0.03) and the total antioxidant capacity (p = 0.002) decreased, while the level of malondialdehyde and gonadotropins increased (p = 0.03). Myricitrin at lower doses and vitamin E ameliorated the D-gal effects. Conclusion: These findings suggest that myricitrin can effectively prevent D-galinduced oxidation and aging in mice. The effect of myricitrin was equivalent and sometimes better than vitamin E. Key words: Aging, D-galactose, Mice, Myricitrin, Vitamin E

Effects of Hydro-alcoholic Extract from Arctium lappa L. (Burdock) Root on Gonadotropins, Testosterone, and Sperm Count and Viability in Male Mice with Nicotinamide/ Streptozotocin-Induced Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Reproductive dysfunction is a complication of diabetes. Arctium lappa (burdock) root has hypoglycemic and antioxidative properties, which are traditionally used for treatment of impotence and sterility. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effects of its hydro alcoholic extract on gonadotropin, testosterone, and sperm parameters in nicotinamide/ streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Methods: In this experimental study, 56 adult male Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice (30–35 g) were randomly divided into seven groups: control, diabetes, diabetes + glibenclamide (0.25 mg/kg), diabetes + extract (200 or 300 mg/kg), and extract (200 or 300 mg/kg). Diabetes was induced with intraperitoneal injection of nicotinamide (NA) and streptozotocin (STZ). Twenty-four hours after the last extract and drug administration, serum samples, testes, and cauda epididymis were removed immediately for experimental assessment. Results: Body weight, serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone levels, and sperm count (P < 0.05) and viability (P < 0.01) decreased in diabetic mice. Administration of glibenclamide significantly improved these reductions in diabetic animals (P < 0.05). However, the hydro alcoholic extract (300 mg/kg) enhanced sperm viability only in diabetic mice (P < 0.01). In addition, this dose of extract increased sperm count, LH, FSH, and testosterone in nondiabetic animals compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results indicate that applied burdock root extract has anti-infertility effects in nondiabetic mice. Hence, this part of the A. lappa plant has an effect on the health of the reproductive system in order to improve diabetic conditions

Chronic exposure to high fat diet exacerbates arsenic-induced lung damages in male mice: Possible role for oxidative stress

Arsenic is a common environmental and occupational contaminant worldwide which can influence the development of respiratory diseases. In recent years, alteration in the lifestyle as well as food habits have led to increased consumption of food containing high levels of fat. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of chronic exposure to a high-fat diet (HFD) on arsenic-induced damages and oxidative stress in the lung tissue of mice. This is the first study to reveal the effect of diet-induced obesity on arsenic-induced lung damages. Seventy-two male Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice were divided into six groups and fed an HFD or standard diet (SD) while being exposed to 25 or 50 ppm of arsenic through drinking water for 20 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the lung weight to body weight ratio; oxidative stress markers, nitrite level, and hydroxyproline content in the lung tissue; and lung histology were evaluated. The results demonstrated that arsenic exposure leads to a significant decrease in the glutathione level and catalase enzyme activity, and significantly increased reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and nitrite level, but it did not affect the superoxide dismutase activity and hydroxyproline content in the lung tissue. Consequently, all the parameters studied aggravated when HFD was consumed along with arsenic. These findings were confirmed by histological examination. Our study showed that HFD increased arsenic-induced lung damages through oxidative stress in mice. These findings could be important for clinical research to protect against arsenic-induced respiratory toxicity in humans

Effects of Arctium lappa aqueous extract on lipid profile and hepatic enzyme levels of sucrose-induced metabolic syndrome in female rats

Arctium lappa is known to have antioxidant and antidiabetic effects in traditional medicine. Objectives: The aim of this paper was to study the effects of A. lappa root extract (AE) on lipid profile and hepatic enzyme levels in sucrose-induced metabolic syndrome (MS) in female rats. The study used 40 adult female Wistar rats weighing 150 g-250 g randomly divided into five groups: control, metabolic syndrome (MS), metabolic syndrome+AE at 50,100, 200 mg/kg. MS was induced by administering 50% sucrose in drinking water for 6 weeks. AE was intra-peritoneally administered daily at doses of 50,100, and 200 mg/kg for two sequential weeks at the end of the fourth week in metabolic syndrome rats. Twenty-four hours after the last administration of AE, blood was collected and centrifuged, and then the serum was used for the measurement of lipid profile and hepatic enzyme. Serum glucose, insulin, fasting insulin resistance index, body weight, water intake, lipid profile, and hepatic enzymes were significantly increased although food intake was decreased in MS rats compared to the control rats. The lipids and liver enzymes were reduced by AE extracts in the MS group. This study showed that the A. lappa root aqueous extract exhibits a hypolipidemic activity of hyperlipidemic rats. This activity is practically that of a triple-impact antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and hepatoprotective

CN2F: A Cloud-Native Cellular Network Framework

Upcoming 5G and Beyond 5G (B5G) cellular networks aim to improve the efficiency and flexibility of mobile networks by incorporating various technologies, such as Software Defined Networking (SDN), Network Function Virtualization (NFV), and Network Slicing (NS). In this paper, we share our findings, accompanied by a comprehensive online codebase, about the best practice of using different open-source projects in order to realize a flexible testbed for academia and industrial Research and Development (R&D) activities on the future generation of cellular networks. In particular, a Cloud-Native Cellular Network Framework (CN2F) is presented which uses OpenAirInterface's codebase to generate cellular Virtual Network Functions (VNFs) and deploys Kubernetes to disperse and manage them among some worker nodes. Moreover, CN2F leverages ONOS and Mininet to emulate the effect of the IP transport networks in the fronthaul and backhaul of real cellular networks. In this paper, we also showcase two use cases of CN2F to demonstrate the importance of Edge Computing (EC) and the capability of Radio Access Network (RAN) slicing

Circulating nesfatin-1 levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder in females. Nesfatin-1 is a neuropeptide synthesized in the hypothalamus and other peripheral organs, and there are conflicting opinions about its correlation with PCOS. Objective: This study aims to investigate the correlation between nesfatin-1 and PCOS and evaluates the effectiveness of nesfatin-1 as a biomarker for the detection of PCOS in women. Materials and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to identify pertinent articles from databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random effects model to compare group outcomes. Additionally, meta-regression and subgroup analysis were performed to elucidate sources of heterogeneity. Results: The meta-analysis involved 12 studies with 1222 participants, and the findings revealed a significant relationship between PCOS and nesfatin-1 levels. The pooled (SMD = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.00-1.07; p = 0.04) indicated a significant difference between the evaluated groups. Moreover, a subgroup analysis showed that there was a substantial difference in nesfatin-1 levels among women with PCOS and higher homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance ratio (SMD = 1.46; 95% CI: 0.92-2.00; p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: Our meta-analysis indicates an association between high nesfatin-1 levels and PCOS. This suggests a potential role of nesfatin-1 in the development of PCOS and proposes it as a potential diagnostic biomarker for the disease. However, further research is necessary to validate these findings. Key words: Polycystic ovary syndrome, Insulin resistance, Body mass index, Meta-analysis

Myricitrin and Its Solid Lipid Nanoparticle Increase Insulin Secretion and Content of Isolated Islets from the Pancreas of Male Mice

Glucose exposure induces toxic effects on the function of the pancreatic islets. Moreover, myricitrin as a flavonoid glycoside may have favorable effects on insulin secretion of Langerhans islets. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Myricitrin and its solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) on the insulin secretion as well as the content of isolated pancreatic islets from male mice. In this experimental study, Langerhans islets were separated from adult male NMRI mice using the collagenase method. The insulin secretion and content of islets were assessed in glucose-containing medium (2.8, 5.6, and 16.7mM). Further, islets treated were prepared by the administration of Myricitrin and its SLN (1, 3 and 10µM). Myricitrin 3μM, and SLN containing Myricitrin 3 and 10μM increased insulin secretion in medium containing glucose concentration 2.8mM. Accordingly, this variable increased in Myricitrin 3 and 10μM, SLN containing Myricitrin 1, 3, and 10μM utilization as well as glucose concentration 5.6mM. Afterward, the insulin secretion increased in medium containing 16.7mM glucose after the addition of Myricitrin and SLN containing Myricitrin 1, 3, and 10μM. Also, the insulin content increased in Myricitrin and SLN containing Myricitrin 1, 3, and 10μM administered groups in all medium containing glucose concentrations. Myricitrin and its SLN increased islets insulin secretion and content in low, moderate, and high glucose concentration mediums

The effects of Cassia italica leaves aqueous extract on non-pregnant uterus contraction in rats

Background: Cassia italica or Senna is a wild plant distributed in south of Iran. It increased water consumption and has a laxative effect. In traditional medicine this plant has been used for the dysmenorrheal. Objective: In this study we investigated the effect of aqueous extract of Cassia italica on uterus contraction. Materials and Methods: Virgin Wistar rats 200-300g were purchased. After laparatomy, a piece of uterus (1.5cm) was excised and mounted in an organ bath (10ml) containing De Jalon (29°C) and isometric contractions were recorded under 1g tension. KCl (60mM) was used to produce contractions. Cassia italica extracts after washing were added at 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/ml cumulatively to the organ bath and the contractions were recorded. Uterus was separately incubated with atropine sulfate (10μM), metoclopramide (10μM) and oxytocin (10mU/ml) and the tissue spasmodic effect of the extract were recorded. Results: Cumulative concentrations of the extract (0.5-4 mg/ml) increased the basal, peak and frequency of uterus contractions, dose-dependently (p<0.001). Incubation of the tissue with atropine sulfate and metoclopramide did not reduce the spasmodic effect of the extract. Cassia italica extract was shown the oxytocic activity on the uterine smooth muscle which most concentrations of the extract (4mg/ml) were more potent than of oxytocin (10mU/ml). Conclusion: Cassia italica stimulated the uterus contractions without involving dopaminergic (D2), and muscarinic receptors. This extract has oxytocin mimetic effects on uterus. Since the extract has uterus contraction, therefore we suggest that more study will be necessary about abortive or contraceptive effects of this plant on pregnant uterus