Protective Effect of Curcumin on Quality Parameters of Sperm and Testicular Tissue Alterations in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats as Animal Model

BACKGROUND: Type one diabetes mellitus (DM) is a multisystem disorder whose effects are observed in the reproductive system. Considering the role of curcumin in lowering blood glucose and enhancing antioxidant defense, this research aimed to determine protective effect of curcumin on quality parameters of sperm and testicular tissue alterations in diabetic rats.METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups, including control (healthy rats), DM (for diabetic model), and also curcumin-treated diabetic model (DM+CUR)50, DM+CUR100 and DM+CUR150. Diabetes was induced using an intraperitoneal injection of 240 mg/ kg alloxan. Following completion of the test period, all rats were sacrificed, and their testes were removed to assess sperm parameters and histological evaluation. The data was analyzed with one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test. The p<0.05 was set as the significance level.RESULTS: Concentration, total sperm motility (TMot), progressive sperm motility (PMot), average path velocity (VAP), curvilinear velocity (VCL), straight line velocity (VSL) of sperm in DM+CUR100 and DM+CUR150 were significantly increased (p=0.005) compared to the diabetic group. Mean diameter (p=0.004) and thickness of the germline epithelium of testis semeniferous tubules (p=0.005) in DM+CUR100 and DM+CUR150 significantly increased compared to the diabetic group.CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that curcumin plays a protective role in testicular tissue alterations and improves sperm parameters. In this regard, curcumin could be suggested to be one of the natural antioxidants that can improve fertility in diabetic patients.KEYWORDS: diabetes mellitus, curcumin, spermatozoa, testis, rat

Trichostatin A Ameliorates Spatial Memory Deficits and Suppresses Hippocampal Pro- Inflammatory Cytokines in A Rat Model of Prenatal Stress

Introduction: Maternal stress during pregnancy leads to neuroinflammation of the fetus and cognitive disorders in children. On the other side, Trichostatin A (TSA) as a histone deacetylase inhibitor has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. The aim of the present study was an evaluation of TSA effect on amelioration of spatial memory deficit and modification of pro-inflammatory cytokines in rat’s hippocampus of prenatal footshock stress model. Methods: In the present study, 24 pregnant Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups including control, PFS+Saline, PFS+TSA5, and PFS+TSA10. In order to induce prenatal footshock stress (PFS), the pregnant rats were subjected to electrical shock at 1 mA, 50 Hz for 2 seconds with 5 repetitions at 3-minute intervals from 12 to 18 days of pregnancy. Two hours before applying the shock intraperitoneal administration of TSA was performed daily. When the offsprings were one-month old, their spatial memory was assessed by the Morris water maze. Finally, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) were measured by ELISA method. Results: a reduction in spatial memory and an increase in the level of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were observed in PFS+Saline group compared to the control. Besides, spatial learning showed a significant increase in TSA-treated groups compared to PFS+Saline. Conclusion: TSA with anti-inflammatory effects led to the reduction of hippocampal inflammatory cytokines and amelioration of spatial memory in offsprings who were exposed to stress in the prenatal period

Effectiveness of Erythropoietin on Working Memory, Passive Avoidance Learning and Anxiety- Like Behaviors in Prenatal Food Restriction Model

Introduction: Prenatal Food Restriction (PFR) causes some disorders in prenatal development and neuro-developmental abnormalities. On the other hand, the studies indicated that erythropoietin can act as a neuro-protector. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the effects of erythropoietin on working memory, passive avoidance learning, and anxiety level in rat PFR model. Methods: In this experimental study, 50 neonatal rats are exposed to PFR. Reduction of standard food portion up to 50% has been started on the embryonic day (ED) 14 in rats until postnatal period. Then, different doses of 500, 1000, and 2000 IU/kg weight erythropoietin were injected to experimental groups, subcutaneously. At post natal day (PND) 30; Y-maze, shuttle box and elevated plus maze (EPM) are used for evaluation of working memory, passive avoidance learning, and anxiety level, respectively. Differences between groups were analyzed by one way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc (p ˂ 0.05). Results: The results indicate that working memory and avoidance learning have reduced significantly in the control group (p ˂ 0.05). Moreover, anxiety level has increased in PFR group in comparison with the control group (p ˂ 0.001). On the other hand, working and avoidance memories have increased in those groups which received EPO in comparison with PFR groups and anxiety level have decreased significantly (p ˂ 0.05). Conclusion: Our results indicate that prenatal treatment of erythropoietin can ameliorate behavioral abnormalities in PFR model

The effect of swimming training, Gallic acid and high-fat diet on the serum levels of sex hormones in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by hormonal-metabolic disorders, obesity, oxidative stress and ovulatory dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of four weeks of swimming training and Gallic acid (GA) administration on the serum level of sex hormones in rats with a polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) under the standard and high-fat diet. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 72 virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the nine groups: Control, PCOS, PCOS+HF (high fat diet), PCOS+EX (swimming training), PCOS+EX+HF (swimming training and high fat dietary), PCOS+GA (GA treatment), PCOS+GA+HF (GA treatment with high fat diet), PCOS+EX+GA (GA treatment and swimming training), PCOS+EX+GA+HF (GA treatment and swimming training with a high-fat diet). PCOS was induced with 1mg/kg letrozole and GA (100mg/kg, 4weeks) was administrated orally for 28 days. Then, the serum levels of LH, FSH, &beta;-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone were measured using the ELISA method. Results: In the PCOS group, the progesterone level decreased and LH, FSH, &beta;-estradiol and testosterone levels significantly increased compared to the control group (P&lt;0.05). Treatment with GA or swimming training ameliorated the serum levels of these hormones. However, high fat diets reduced the ameliorative effect of GA and swimming training on the sex hormones in different groups. Conclusion: Gallic acid administration and swimming training can reduce dysregulation of sex hormones due to the PCOS in rats, but a high-fat diet increases PCOS pathogenesis

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

The Effect of Air- Polluting Particles on Cardiovascular Disease: A Review

Air pollution is the result of the emission of chemicals, particulate matter, and biologic material into the atmosphere, which caused adverse effects on the environment and health. Major air pollutants that threaten human health are carbon monoxide, Nitrogen oxide, ozone, Sulfur dioxide, chemical vapors, and particulate matter. Air pollution is an important risk factor for cardiovascular health, therefore in this review article; we discuss air-polluting particles and the adverse effects of them on cardiovascular disease

The Effects of Ellagic Acid on Hippocampal Cell Damage in Pentylenetetrazole Induced Kindling Seizure Model

Introduction: Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disease that is characterized by recurrent, spontaneous brain seizures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ellagic acid (EA) on hippocampal cell damage in penthylentetrazole (PTZ) induced kindling model. Methods: In this experimental study, 50 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n= 10): control, PTZ (40 mg/kg, ip), PTZ+EA12,PTZ+EA25 and PTZ+EA51 (which received 12.5, 25 & 50 mg/kg, respectively) groups. After investigation of seizure delay in five consecutive days, the brains of rat’s skulls were removed and histopathological evaluation were performed. Comparison between different groups was assessed by one way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test (p< 0.05). Results: Intraperitoneally injection of PTZ induced kindling seizure in animal model (p< 0.001). The data showed the seizure delay following the administration of EA increased (p< 0.001). In addition, after administration of EA the density of hippocampal cells increased in experimental groups (p< 0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that EA decreases the severity of seizure in kindling seizures. Also, EA increased the neuronal density following the administration of PTZ. Therefore, EA possesses neuroprotective effects that enhance the hippocampal damages in animals and also perhaps in patients suffering from seizure

The Effect of Gallic Acid on Pituitary-Ovary Axis and Oxidative Stress in Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Introduction: The polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) carried along with hormonal– metabolic disorders, oxidative stress and ovulation dysregulation. Several studies have shown the role of Gallic acid (GA) as a potent antioxidant in oxidative stress induced disorders. Considering the antioxidant properties of GA, we investigate the effect of GA on the serum level of pituitary-ovary axis hormones and activity of ovary tissue antioxidant enzymes of PCOS model was studied. Methods: 32 Wistar female rats were divided into four groups: Control, PCOS+Saline, PCOS+GA50, PCOS+GA100. PCOS was induced by single muscular injection of Estradiol valerate (4 mg/kg/BW).Then, GA was prescribed with doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg for 21 days, orally. At the end of treatment period, serum levels of LH, FSH, Estradiol, testosterone and progesterone as well as the tissue level of dismutase superoxide enzymes (SOD), catalase (CAT) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) in the ovaries were measured by ELISA technique. Differences between data were analyzed by one way ANOVA and the p ˂ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Levels of LH, Estradiol and testosterone as well the MDA in treatment group with GA were increased significantly compared to the PCOS group (p ˂ 0.05), while the serum level of FSH and progesterone and tissue level of SOD and CAT enzymes were increased significantly in GA-treated groups than the PCOS group (p ˂ 0.05). Conclusion: GA modifies the level of sex hormones in PCOS model by increase of antioxidant enzymes activity