21 research outputs found

    Choline Dehydrogenase Polymorphism rs12676 Is a Functional Variation and Is Associated with Changes in Human Sperm Cell Function

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    Approximately 15% of couples are affected by infertility and up to half of these cases arise from male factor infertility. Unidentified genetic aberrations such as chromosomal deletions, translocations and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may be the underlying cause of many cases of idiopathic male infertility. Deletion of the choline dehydrogenase (Chdh) gene in mice results in decreased male fertility due to diminished sperm motility; sperm from Chdh−/− males have decreased ATP concentrations likely stemming from abnormal sperm mitochondrial morphology and function in these cells. Several SNPs have been identified in the human CHDH gene that may result in altered CHDH enzymatic activity. rs12676 (G233T), a non-synonymous SNP located in the CHDH coding region, is associated with increased susceptibility to dietary choline deficiency and risk of breast cancer. We now report evidence that this SNP is also associated with altered sperm motility patterns and dysmorphic mitochondrial structure in sperm. Sperm produced by men who are GT or TT for rs12676 have 40% and 73% lower ATP concentrations, respectively, in their sperm. rs12676 is associated with decreased CHDH protein in sperm and hepatocytes. A second SNP located in the coding region of IL17BR, rs1025689, is linked to altered sperm motility characteristics and changes in choline metabolite concentrations in sperm

    Expresión de las subunidades del receptor NMDA en la corteza prefrontal de la rata con daño hepático inducido con CCL4 después del tratamiento con Rosmarinus officinalis L

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    Resumen: Introducción: En la cirrosis, algunas sustancias tóxicas se acumulan en el cerebro y alteran la expresión de diversos receptores neuronales. En este sentido, se ha propuesto el uso de plantas medicinales como el Rosmarinus officinalis L. en diversas patologías debido su actividad hepatoprotectora, antioxidante y neuroprotectora. En el presente trabajo se evaluó la expresión de las subunidades NR1, NR2A y NR2B del receptor a Glutamato en la corteza prefrontal de la rata en un modelo de daño hepático inducido con tetracloruro de carbono después del tratamiento con Rosmarinus officinalis L. Métodos: Se utilizaron un total de 24 ratas macho Wistar de 80-90 g. de peso corporal. Se formaron 3 grupos de trabajo: grupo testigo (T) sin ningún tratamiento, grupo tetracloruro de carbono (CCl4) y grupo CCl4 más Rosmarinus officinalis L (CCl4 +ROM; 1.5 g/kg del extracto por vía oral). Resultados: La expresión de las subunidades NR1, NR2A y NR2B incrementaron en los animales cirróticos con respecto al grupo T, sin embargo el tratamiento con Rosmarinus officinalis L fue capaz de disminuir la expresión a niveles normales comparados con los grupos de CCl4 y T. Estos resultados podrían deberse a una mejora en la función hepática. Conclusión: El tratamiento con el extracto de Rosmarinus officinalis L en los animales cirróticos modifica la expresión de las subunidades del receptor NMDA debido a la mejora en la función hepatocelular dada la presencia de compuestos antioxidantes y flavonoides. Abstract: Introduction: In cirrhosis some toxic substances accumulate in brain and modify the expression of several neuronal receptors. Thus, the use of medicinal plants such as Rosmarinus officinalis L. has been proposed in several pathologies due to its hepatoprotective, antioxidant and neuroprotective activity. In this study we evaluated the expression of the subunits NR1, NR2A and NR2B of the glutamate receptor in rat prefrontal cortex in a model of hepatic damage induced with carbon tetrachloride after a treatment with Rosmarinus officinalis L. Methods: We used a total of 24 male Wistar rats weighing 80-90 g. body weight. We formed three study groups: control group (C) without a treatment, carbon tetrachloride group (CC14), and CC14 group plus Rosmarinus officinalis L (CCl4 + ROM; 1.5 g/kg of extract orally). Results: The expression of the NR1, NR2A and NR2B subunits in cirrhotic animals increased compared to the control group, however treatment with Rosmarinus officinalis L. was able to reduce this expression to normal levels compared with CC14 and CCl4 + ROM groups. These results could be due to an improvement in hepatic function. Conclusion: Treatment with extract of Rosmarinus officinalis L. in cirrhotic animals modifies the expression of subunits of the NMDA receptor due to an improvement in hepatocellular function in the presence of antioxidant compounds and flavonoids. Palabras clave: Corteza prefrontal, Daño hepático, Receptores NMDA, Rosmarinus officinalis L, Keywords: Hepatic damage, NMDA receptor, Rosmarinus officinalis

    Male rat infertility induction/spermatozoa and epididymal plasma abnormalities after oral administration of Kalanchoe gastonis bonnieri natural juice

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    Natural aqueous crude extracts (NACE) of several Crassulaceae family plants have been applied as a vaginal contraceptive by the populace. The aim of this work was to evaluate the inhibition of fertility in male Wistar rats and some physiological and biochemical changes in spermatozoa and epididymal plasma induced by NACE from Kalanchoe gastonis bonnieri (K. g. b.) (Crassulaceae). The NACE was obtained by mechanic pressure on grinding fresh plant leaves. Sublethal doses (150-300 mg/kg body weight) of NACE were orally administered to adult and fertile male rats daily for 30 days in a search for a contraceptive effect, and physiological and biochemical modifications on sperm cells and cauda epididymal plasma. The toxicity studies revealed that the lethal dose (LD50) calculated was 11 g/kg body weight. Sublethal doses induced 50%-100% fertility inhibition, with 100% recovery of fertility 30 days after stopping the treatment. The sperm motility, viability and spermatic density were also significantly decreased (p < 0.001). The outstanding biochemical change observed in the cauda epididymal plasma was a decrease of carnitine concentration. The NACE of K. gastonis contains one substance active on fertility by affecting spermatozoa motility, viability and sperm density with a significantly decreased carnitine and sialic acid (p < 0.001) in the caudal epididymal plasma. Copyright � 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

    Effect of breathwalk on body composition, metabolic and mood state in chronic hepatitis C patients with insulin resistance syndrome

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    Aim: To identify the anthropometric, metabolic and mood state in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients from the west of Mexico and to evaluate the effect of Breathwalk (BW), a combination of walking, synchronized breathing and focussed attention, on those patients. Methods: In an experimental study, 17 patients with serological and molecular diagnosis of HCV, not receiving pharmacological treatment, were studied. One hour sessions of BW were practiced 3 times at week for six months. Body composition was assessed by electric impedance. Biochemical profiles and insulin resistance (IR) risk was assessed by conventional methods. Mood state was evaluated with specific and open questions at the beginning and at the end of the program. Results: Seventy percent of patients were overweight or obese, and 77% of the patients presented with IR at the beginning of the study. Improvements were observed at the 3rd mo, and statistically significant differences were recorded at the 6th mo using the fitness score (76 vs 83, P < 0.01), in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (106 ± 93 U/L vs 59 ± 32 U/L, P < 0.01), total bilirubin (0.09 ± 1 mg/ dL vs 0.62 ± 0.2 mg/dL, P < 0.01), ALT/AST ratio (1.04 vs 0.70, P < 0.01), triglycerides (165 ± 86 mg/dL vs 124 ± 49 mg/dL, P < 0.01) and the IR risk (4.0 vs 2.7). Most patients (88%) indicated to feel better at the end of BW (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Breathwalk has an important effect on body composition, lipid profile and liver enzymes. It is also easy, inexpensive and has a beneficial effect on metabolic and mood state in HCV patients. © 2007 WJG. All rights reserved

    [Expression of NMDA receptor subunits in rat prefrontal cortex with CCL4-induced hepatic damage after a treatment with Rosmarinus officinalis L]

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    INTRODUCTION: In cirrhosis some toxic substances accumulate in brain and modify the expression of several neuronal receptors. Thus, the use of medicinal plants such as Rosmarinus officinalis L. has been proposed in several pathologies due to its hepatoprotective, antioxidant and neuroprotective activity. In this study we evaluated the expression of the subunits NR1, NR2A and NR2B of the glutamate receptor in rat prefrontal cortex in a model of hepatic damage induced with carbon tetrachloride after a treatment with Rosmarinus officinalis L. METHODS: We used a total of 24 male Wistar rats weighing 80-90 g. body weight. We formed three study groups: control group (C) without a treatment, carbon tetrachloride group (CC14), and CC14 group plus Rosmarinus officinalis L (CCl4+ROM; 1.5 g/kg of extract orally). RESULTS: The expression of the NR1, NR2A and NR2B subunits in cirrhotic animals increased compared to the control group, however treatment with Rosmarinus officinalis L. was able to reduce this expression to normal levels compared with CC14 and CCl4+ROM groups. These results could be due to an improvement in hepatic function. CONCLUSION: Treatment with extract of Rosmarinus officinalis L. in cirrhotic animals modifies the expression of subunits of the NMDA receptor due to an improvement in hepatocellular function in the presence of antioxidant compounds and flavonoids.Copyright © 2011 Sociedad Espanola de Neurologia. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved

    Effect of exogenous fibrolytic enzymes on dry matter and cell wall in vitro digestibility of guinea grass hay

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    Aim: To identify the anthropometric, metabolic and mood state in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients from the west of Mexico and to evaluate the effect of Breathwalk (BW), a combination of walking, synchronized breathing and focussed attention, on those patients. Methods: In an experimental study, 17 patients with serological and molecular diagnosis of HCV, not receiving pharmacological treatment, were studied. One hour sessions of BW were practiced 3 times at week for six months. Body composition was assessed by electric impedance. Biochemical profiles and insulin resistance (IR) risk was assessed by conventional methods. Mood state was evaluated with specific and open questions at the beginning and at the end of the program. Results: Seventy percent of patients were overweight or obese, and 77% of the patients presented with IR at the beginning of the study. Improvements were observed at the 3rd mo, and statistically significant differences were recorded at the 6th mo using the fitness score (76 vs 83, P < 0.01), in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (106 93 U/L vs 59 32 U/L, P < 0.01), total bilirubin (0.09 1 mg/ dL vs 0.62 0.2 mg/dL, P < 0.01), ALT/AST ratio (1.04 vs 0.70, P < 0.01), triglycerides (165 86 mg/dL vs 124 49 mg/dL, P < 0.01) and the IR risk (4.0 vs 2.7). Most patients (88%) indicated to feel better at the end of BW (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Breathwalk has an important effect on body composition, lipid profile and liver enzymes. It is also easy, inexpensive and has a beneficial effect on metabolic and mood state in HCV patients. " 2007 WJG. All rights reserved.",,,,,,"10.3748/wjg.13.6213",,,"http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12104/40913","http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-37849013518&partnerID=40&md5=ba3aff7e5c79fb0e93ccc70e151e833f",,,,,,"46",,"World Journal of Gastroenterology",,"621

    Expression of NMDA receptor subunits in rat prefrontal cortex with CCL4-induced hepatic damage after a treatment with Rosmarinus officinalis L.

    No full text
    Introduction: In cirrhosis some toxic substances accumulate in brain and modify the expression of several neuronal receptors. Thus, the use of medicinal plants such as Rosmarinus officinalis L. has been proposed in several pathologies due to its hepatoprotective, antioxidant and neuroprotective activity. In this study we evaluated the expression of the subunits NR1, NR2A and NR2B of the glutamate receptor in rat prefrontal cortex in a model of hepatic damage induced with carbon tetrachloride after a treatment with R. officinalis L. Methods: We used a total of 24 male Wistar rats weighing 80–90 g body weight. We formed three study groups: control group (C) without a treatment, carbon tetrachloride group (CC14), and CC14 group plus R. officinalis L. (CCl4 + ROM; 1.5 g/kg of extract orally). Results: The expression of the NR1, NR2A and NR2B subunits in cirrhotic animals increased compared to the control group; however treatment with R. officinalis L. was able to reduce this expression to normal levels compared with CC14 and CCl4 + ROM groups. These results could be due to an improvement in hepatic function. Conclusion: Treatment with extract of R. officinalis L. in cirrhotic animals modifies the expression of subunits of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor due to an improvement in hepatocellular function in the presence of antioxidant compounds and flavonoids. Resumen: Introducción: En la cirrosis, algunas sustancias tóxicas se acumulan en el cerebro y alteran la expresión de diversos receptores neuronales. En este sentido, se ha propuesto el uso de plantas medicinales como el Rosmarinus officinalis L. en diversas patologías debido su actividad hepatoprotectora, antioxidante y neuroprotectora. En el presente trabajo se evaluó la expresión de las subunidades NR1, NR2A y NR2B del receptor a Glutamato en la corteza prefrontal de la rata en un modelo de daño hepático inducido con tetracloruro de carbono después del tratamiento con Rosmarinus officinalis L. Métodos: Se utilizaron un total de 24 ratas macho Wistar de 80–90 g. de peso corporal. Se formaron 3 grupos de trabajo: grupo testigo (T) sin ningún tratamiento, grupo tetracloruro de carbono (CCl4) y grupo CCl4 más Rosmarinus officinalis L. (CCl4 + ROM; 1.5 g/kg del extracto por vía oral). Resultados: La expresión de las subunidades NR1, NR2A y NR2B incrementaron en los animales cirróticos con respecto al grupo T, sin embargo el tratamiento con Rosmarinus officinalis L. fue capaz de disminuir la expresión a niveles normales comparados con los grupos de CCl4 y T. Estos resultados podrían deberse a una mejora en la función hepática. Conclusión: El tratamiento con el extracto de Rosmarinus officinalis L. en los animales cirróticos modifica la expresión de las subunidades del receptor NMDA debido a la mejora en la función hepatocelular dada la presencia de compuestos antioxidantes y flavonoides. Keywords: Hepatic damage, NMDA receptor, Rosmarinus officinalis L., Palabras clave: Corteza prefrontal, Daño hepático, Receptores NMDA, Rosmarinus officinalis L

    Chemical Recycling of Polyethylene by Tandem Catalytic Conversion to Propylene

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    Although polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) are by far the world’s largest volume plastics, only a tiny fraction of these energy-rich polyolefins are currently recycled. Depolymerization of PE to its constituent monomer, ethylene, is highly endothermic and conventionally accessible only through unselective, high-temperature pyrolysis. Here, we provide experimental demonstrations of our recently proposed tandem catalysis strategy, which uses ethylene to convert PE to propylene, the commodity monomer used to make PP. The approach combines rapid olefin metathesis with rate-limiting isomerization. Monounsaturated PE is progressively disassembled at modest temperatures via many consecutive ethenolysis events, resulting selectively in propylene. Fully saturated PE can be converted to unsaturated PE starting with a single transfer dehydrogenation to ethylene, which produces a small amount of ethane (1 equiv per dehydrogenation event). These principles are demonstrated using both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. While selectivity under batch conditions is limited at high conversion by the formation of an equilibrium mixture of olefins, high selectivity to propylene (≥94%) is achieved in a semicontinuous process due to the continuous removal of propylene from the reaction mixture
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