Effects of Silybum marianum Aqueous Extract and L-carnitine on Stereological Changes in Diazinon-Treated Rat Liver

As an organophosphorus, Diazinon (DZN) impairs liver tissue function by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase and causing oxidative stress. In this study, the effects of Silybum marianum aqueous extract (SMAE) and L-carnitine (LC) on the stereological and histopathological changes of the liver in DZN-treated male rats were investigated. The rats in this study were placed into 9 groups of 8 each containing control, placebo, and a combination of DZN, SMAE, and LC. The animals received SMAE and chemicals orally for 30 days. At last, the liver tissue of all animals was removed. Then, tissue sections from the liver were provided to study the stereological markers including liver volume and weight, hepatocytes’ volume, central venous volume, sinusoidal volume, connective tissue volume, inflammation rate, and a number of the hepatocytes’ nuclei. Also, the sample tissues were evaluated histopathologically. Treatment with DZN significantly reduced the liver volume and weight, hepatocyte volume, central venous volume, sinusoidal volume, and hepatocyte nucleus number compared to placebo and control but it significantly increased the inflammation and volume of liver’s connective tissue. However, co-administration of SMAE and LC with DZN improved liver volume and weight, hepatocyte volume, central venous volume, sinusoidal volume, connective tissue volume, and hepatocyte nucleus number alone compared to the DZN treatment. Liver inflammation was also significantly decreased compared to the DZN treatment but comparing to the placebo and control groups, it increased significantly. Simultaneous administration of SMAE and LC has protective effects on liver tissue and can reduce DZN-induced liver injury in rats

Effects of Silybum marianum Aqueous Extract and L-carnitine on Stereological Changes in Diazinon-Treated Rat Liver

As an organophosphorus, Diazinon (DZN) impairs liver tissue function by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase and causing oxidative stress. In this study, the effects of Silybum marianum aqueous extract (SMAE) and L-carnitine (LC) on the stereological and histopathological changes of the liver in DZN-treated male rats were investigated. The rats in this study were placed into 9 groups of 8 each containing control, placebo, and a combination of DZN, SMAE, and LC. The animals received SMAE and chemicals orally for 30 days. At last, the liver tissue of all animals was removed. Then, tissue sections from the liver were provided to study the stereological markers including liver volume and weight, hepatocytes’ volume, central venous volume, sinusoidal volume, connective tissue volume, inflammation rate, and a number of the hepatocytes’ nuclei. Also, the sample tissues were evaluated histopathologically. Treatment with DZN significantly reduced the liver volume and weight, hepatocyte volume, central venous volume, sinusoidal volume, and hepatocyte nucleus number compared to placebo and control but it significantly increased the inflammation and volume of liver’s connective tissue. However, co-administration of SMAE and LC with DZN improved liver volume and weight, hepatocyte volume, central venous volume, sinusoidal volume, connective tissue volume, and hepatocyte nucleus number alone compared to the DZN treatment. Liver inflammation was also significantly decreased compared to the DZN treatment but comparing to the placebo and control groups, it increased significantly. Simultaneous administration of SMAE and LC has protective effects on liver tissue and can reduce DZN-induced liver injury in rats

Histobiochemical Effects of Dust Microparticles of Asalouyeh Area (South of Iran) on the Liver and Renal Tissues in the Pregnant Female Rats

Objective: Due to industrial development and mechanization of societies, air pollution has devastatingly affected people’s lives which have become a very significant issue for researchers. Given that oil and gas production and surface facilities have made Assaluyeh to be one of the world’s most polluted areas, the aim of this study was to investigate the toxic effects of air micro-dust in Assaluyeh on histological changes in the liver, kidney and liver enzymes. Materials and Methods: Twenty-one adult female rats were divided in to 3 groups of control, negative control (exposed to micro-dust of a clean area free of oil contaminants) and treatment (exposed to the micro-dust contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons in Assaluyeh). All animals had synchronized reproductive cycles. After 21 days of treatment, histological changes in liver and kidney, as well as serum levels of hepatic enzymes of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were examined and measured. The serum levels of heavy metals of lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury were measured using atomic absorption. Results: The levels of heavy metals of lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury in animals in the treatment group were significantly increased compared to the negative control group and the control group (P≤0.05). Serum levels of liver enzymes in the treatment group were not significantly different from the control group. No cell death was observed in the tissue sections. Cell irregularities were observed in the tissue sections of the treatment groups. Conclusion: Micro-dust of Assaluyeh air did not show high toxicity on liver and kidney tissues

Protective effects of Ceratonia siliqua extract on protamine gene expression, testicular function, and testicular histology in doxorubicin-treated adult rats: An experimental study

Background: Spermatogenesis is a complex process that takes place under the influence of many different genes. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of Ceratonia siliqua hydroalcoholic extract (CSHAE) on protamine gene expression, testicular function, and testicular histology in doxorubicin-treated rats. Materials and Methods: 56 adult male rats with a age range of 2.5 to 3 months (210 ± 10 gr) were divided into seven groups (n = 8/each). A) Control group was left untreated; B) Sham group received 0.3 ml distilled water intraperitoneally, C) Negative control group received 3 mg/kg doxorubicin, intraperitoneally once a week for 28 days; and D) Positive control group received 600 mg/kg of CSHAE orally for 48 days; E, F, G) the experimental groups 1, 2, and 3 received 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg of CSHAE respectively orally, for 48 days, as well as 3 mg/kg doxorubicin once a week for 28 days. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used in the histological study of testes, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was used in measuring serum levels of testosterone. Protamine gene expression was determined by real-Time PCR method. Results: The mean body weight, testicular weight, testicular volume, testosterone level (p = 0.022), the count of Leydig, spermatogonia, spermatocyte, and spermatid cells, as well as protamine gene expression (p = 0.008) were significantly increased in the experimental group 2 compared to the negative control group. The regeneration of testicular tissue was observed in the experimental group 2. Conclusion: CSHAE has protective effect on doxorubicin-induced testicular injuries. Key words: Ceratonia siliqua, Doxorubicin, Protamine, Testicular injuries, Rat

COLLAGEN TYPE II GENE EXPRESSION IN MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS DELIVERED FROM RATS FEEDING WITH LEAD ACETATE II

Background and Objectives: One of the most harmful heavy metals with deleterious effects on tissues is lead (Pb). In this project, the effects of lead acetate II oral doses on Collagen type II gene expression in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in chondrogenic media were studied. Collagen type II is one of the most plentiful differentiated proteins of the in extracellular matrix (ECM) in cartilage. Methods: Twelve male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. Except libitum feed, the first group were fed orally by 50 ppm lead acetate II, the second group were fed orally by 100 ppm lead acetate II while the control group was fed by distilled water for 2 months. After killing, the femoral bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) were isolated then cultured in chondrogenic medium. Finally the gene expression of Collagen type II was evaluated by real time PCR. Results: After 2 passages, Population Doubling Time of MSCs in the second group was more than the first while the control group was the least. Real time PCR demonstrated that after feeding rats bone marrow with lead acetate II, Collagen type II gene expression in MSCs in chondrogenic medium decreased significantly in the second group compared with the first, while Collagen type II gene expression in the control group was the most. Conclusion: It seems that accumulation of lead acetate II with the doses 50 and 100 ppm in rat bone marrow in femur lead to reduce Collagen type II gene expression in MSCs in chondrogenic medium thus, public health is a priority. Kew words: Bone Marrow, lead acetate, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Real-Time PCR, Collagen type I

Improving the Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid on the In Vitro Maturation of Oocytes

This research was conducted in order to determine the effects of omega-3 on oocyte in vitro maturation and the level of expression of tribbles (TRIB1, TRIB2 and TRIB3 genes) in cumulus cells. Eight-ten weeks old NMRI mice were super-ovulated using 7.5 IU pregnant mare’s serum gonadotropin (PMSG, Intraperitoneal) and they were killed after 44 hours and their ovaries were removed. The oocytes were used for in vitro maturation and the cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were released. Cumulus cells and oocytes were assigned into control, ethanol-treated and groups exposed to 10 and 100 μg/ml of omega-3. The cells were prepared to assess the maturation stage in order to evaluate the gene expression level. The data were statistically analyzed. Exposing oocytes to low dose (10 μg/ml) and high dose (100 μg/ml) of omega-3 resulted in a reduced rate of GV-stage oocytes, decreased MI-oocytes and increased MII-oocytes. The enhanced maturity of COCs was also detected in response to a high dose of omega-3 (100 μg/ml). Exposure of cumulus cells to omega-3 (10 and 100 μg/ml) induced TRIB2 and inhibited TRIB3 gene expression level; however, TRIB1 gene expression level increased and decreased in response to low (10 μg/ml) and high (100 μg/ml) concentrations of omega-3, respectively. The addition of omega-3 to the environment of oocytes or cumulus cells affected the maturation of oocytes and cumulus cells, which was followed by the differential expression of TRIB genes, suggesting that there was a role of fatty acid metabolism in the differentiation and maturation of cumulus cells

Effect of Noise Pollution on the Hormonal and Semen Analysis Parameters in Industrial Workers of Bushehr, Iran

Objective: One of the concerns of health officials is noise pollution and in the realm of health, the problems of sterility and infertility resulting from noise pollution greatly attract the interest of experts nowadays. Noise is one of the harmful environmental factors and one of the most cacophonous of the unavoidable phenomena at home and workplace. Considering Bushehr is one of the cities with high infertility rates, we decided to study labor and industrial environments. Materials and Methods: Two groups of men volunteer workers, 27 members in each, who were constantly exposed to noisy 107- or 119-decibel environments, were studied together with one group of 27 workers living in quiet environments serving as the control. These people were referred to the Omid Khalij Fars Infertility Center in Bushehr where blood samples were taken and tested for adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, testosterone, prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and thyroid hormones T3, T4, and Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and semen samples were taken and sent to the specialized laboratory of the Center. Results: Statistical studies showed that noise stress in the 119-decibel group significantly reduced the concentrations of the testosterone, prolactin, LH, and FSH hormones and of the thyroid hormones T3, T4, and TSH, and significantly increased the concentrations of the ACTH and cortisol hormones, compared to the control group. Moreover, semen analysis indicated major changes in semen parameters, especially under 119-decibel. Conclusion: Noise causes changes in hormones involved in the physiological process of fertility and in semen analysis parameters and, hence, has harmful effects on fertility

Investigation of the Effects of Estrogen and Progesterone Hormones on Active Knee Joint Position Sense in Healthy Women in Different Phases of a Menstrual Cycle

Abstract The proprioceptive system is actually a sensory system based on an individual’s knowledge of the body. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of estrogen and progesterone hormones on understanding and to recognize the proprioceptive sense the knee joint in healthy women during the menstrual cycle. Fifteen healthy women with regular menstrual cycles participated in this study. The estrogen and progesterone levels were evaluated during a cycle in the follicular, ovulation, and luteal phases. The effect on the sense of perception and cognition of the proprioceptive knee joint in two directions (extension and flexion), by target angle reconstruction at 30° was studied. The results showed that female sex hormones affect the knee active Joint Position Sense (JPS). In the extensions, the changes of the menstrual cycle affect the JPS in constant error during the ovulation phase. In the flexion, changes in the menstrual cycle affect the JPS in constant, absolute, and variable error during the luteal phase. The findings of this study show that the menstruation phases can change the active JPS at knee joint. Since the outbreak of joint problems, especially in the knee joint, is higher in women than in men, it was predicted that hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle affect the proprioceptive cognition of the knee joint, which in turn increases the percentage of knee injuries in women