Comparison of sperm PAWP and chromatin status between normozospermic and ab-normozoospermic men

Background and aims: Sperm postacrosomal WW binding protein (PAWP) was expressed during spermiogenesis and recently introduced as one of sperm factors involved in oocyte activation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare sperm PAWP and chromatin status between individuals with normal (normozospermia) and abnormal (ab-normozoospermia) sperm parameters. Results: Significant differences were observed in sperm parameters such as sperm concentration, motility, morphology between men with normozospermia and ab-normozoospermia. Mean percentage of sperm PAWP was significantly lower in ab-normozoospermic men compared to normozospermic men. In addition, mean percentage of spermatozoa with DNA damage and protamine deficiency were significantly higher in ab-normozoospermic men compared to normozospermic men. In addition, significant associations were observed between percentages of sperm PAWP with sperm parameters. Conclusion: The results of the current study show that in men with ab-normozoospermia, sperm functional tests such as DNA damage, protamine deficiency, and also percentage of sperm factor (PAWP) related to oocyte activation were in range of abnormality. Therefore, assessment of these tests can be efficient in the decision of treatment in infertile men

Improvement of sperm function, chromatin damage, and oxidative damage by N-Acetyl cysteine in varicocelized rats model

Introduction: N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), an acetylated form of the amino acid cysteine and precursor of reduced glutathione, plays important roles in a multitude of cellular processes, such as oxidative damage and detoxification of many electrophiles. Considering the pathophysiology of oxidative stress induced infertility in varicocele, we aimed to investigate the effect of NAC on semen analysis parameters (light microscopy), chromatin structure (aniline blue and acridine orange staining), and lipid peroxidation (BODIPY probe) in varicocelized rats.Methods: In this experimental study, varicocelizing surgery was carried out on 30 Wistar rats. Ten of them were sacrificed after two months (one round spermatogenesis), together with control rats (n=10) and sham operated rats (n=10), to verify the varicocele model. Out of the remaining twenty varicocelized rats, ten received NAC while ten were treated with water (control group) for two months.Results: All the investigational parameters (sperm parameters, chromatin integrity, and lipid peroxidation) severely worsened 2 and 4 months after surgical varicocele. The administration of NAC for two months significantly improved all the investigational parameters as compared to control rats at four months (p<0.05).Conclusion: The supplementation of varicocelized rats with NAC was effective in antagonizing the damage as well as in preserving testicular structure and spermatogenetic function. These effects are likely to occur also in clinical varicocele

A Comparison of chromatin structure and PLCζ in sperms of subfertile oligoasthenoteratozoospermic and fertile men

زمینه و هدف: مهم ترین علل عدم فعال شدن تخمک پس از تکنیک های کمک باروری، عدم رهایش فاکتورهای اسپرمی فعال کننده تخمک و آسیب به DNA اسپرم است. PLCζ یکی از فاکتورهای اسپرمی است که در فعال شدن تخمک نقش دارد. هدف از این مطالعه مقایسه PLCζ، کمبود پروتامین (مارکر بلوغ کروماتین اسپرم) و آسیب DNA اسپرم در 2 گروه افراد بارور و نابارور الیگوآستنوتراتوزواسپرمی است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه شاهد کنترل، نمونه مایع منی از 10 فرد نابارور الیگوآستنوتراتوزواسپرمی و 10 فرد بارور جمع آوری گردید. پارامترهای اسپرمی (غلظت، تحرک و مورفولوژی)، بیان پروتئین PLCζ، آسیب DNA و کمبود پروتامین به ترتیب بر اساس پروتکل سازمان بهداشت جهانی، فلوسایتومتری، رنگ آمیزی TUNEL و کرومایسین A3 مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. یافته ها: درصد اسپرم های PLCζ مثبت، سلامت DNA و محتوی پروتامین در افراد نابارور الیگوآستنوتراتوزواسپرمی نسبت به افراد بارور، به طور معنی داری کمتر بود؛ همچنین ارتباط معنی داری بین درصد اسپرم های PLCζ مثبت با پارامترهای اسپرمی و درصد کمبود پروتامین مشاهده گردید. ارتباط معنی داری نیز بین درصد آسیب DNA اسپرم و کمبود پروتامین مشاهده شد. نتیجه گیری: در این افراد نابارور، سلامت کروماتین اسپرم و درصد اسپرم ها با PLCζ مثبت به شدت کاهش یافته است که می تواند یکی از دلایل عدم لقاح در این افراد باشد؛ لذا روش فعال سازی مصنوعی تخمک برای این نوع ناباروران پیشنهاد می شود

Comparison of outcome of assisted reproductive methods in patient with polycystic ovaries syndrome and tubal factor

چکیده: زمینه و هدف: تخمدان پلی کیستیک شایع ترین علت در زنان با نازایی به دلیل عدم تخمک گذاری است. شواهدی از ارتباط این اختلال با وجود هورمون های غیر طبیعی در خون وجود دارد. مشخصه های آندوکرینی غیر طبیعی در زنان مبتلا به این سندرم وجود دارد که اثرات آن بر روی تکامل ابتدایی سلول تخم و حاملگی روشن نیست. مطالعه حاضر برای تعیین این اثرات به مقایسه میزان لقاح، کیفیت رویان و میزان حاملگی در زنان با سندرم تخمدان پلی کیستیک و زنان با نازایی لوله پرداخته است. روش بررسی: نوع مطالعه کوهورت آینده نگر است و بر روی 130 زن با سندرم تخمدان پلی کیستیک و 130 زن با نازایی لوله ایی که در مرکز ناباروری اصفهان تحت درمان با تکنیک های کمک باروری قرار گرفته بودند انجام شد. تعداد اووسیت به دست آمده، میزان لقاح (نسبت تعداد اووسیت لقاح یافته به تعداد اووسیت)، تعداد رویان، کیفیت رویان، میزان حاملگی کلینیکی در دو گروه مورد ارزیابی و مقایسه قرار گرفت. یافته ها: نتایج نشان داد میانگین تعداد اووسیت، تعداد رویان و اسکور تجمعی کیفیت رویان در زنان با سندرم تخمدان پلی کیستیک بیش از گروه زنان با نازایی لوله ایی بود (05/0(

Overexpression of annexin A1 suppresses pro-inflammatory factors in PC12 cells induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium

Objective: Annexin A1 (ANXA1) is suggested to have anti-inflammatory function. However, the precise function of ANXA1 has remained unclear. In this study, we therefore examined the potency of ANXA1 in regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and suppressing pro-inflammatory responses in PC12 cells induced by 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+). Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, cDNA of ANXA1 was cloned and inserted to the PGL268 pEpi-FGM18F vector to produce a recombinant PGL/ANXA1 vector for transfection into the PC12 cells. ANXA1 transfected cells were then treated with MPP+. Apoptosis and the content of pro-inflammatory factors including ROS, Interlukin-6 (IL-6), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) were assessed by flow-cytometry, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot in ANXA1-transfected cells and the data were compared with those obtained from mock and control cells. Results: Data revealed that overexpression of ANXA1 is associated with decreased levels of ROS and expression level of IL-6 and iNOS transcripts, and NF-κB protein in MPP+ treated PC12 cells. Conclusion: ANXA1 may be considered as an agent for prevention of neurodegenerative or inflammatory conditions

Bioinformatics methods shows the probability of miR-142, miR-146 & miR-150’s role in differentiation of naïve cd4+ to Th17 cells in multiple sclerosis.

Background and aims: MiRNAs are a class of non-coding RNAs that take part in various cellular processes. Recently dysregulation of these small molecules reported in numerous disorders. Unfortunately prevalence of Multiple sclerosis (MS) as an autoimmune disease is rising nowadays in Iran. Th17 cells are the most important cell in this disease. In this study, we have predicted possible role of 3 miRNAs, miR142, miR-146a and miR-150 which could control Th17 differentiation. So, possibly it influences on MS onset and progress. Methods: Using miRwalk database as an integrative database which utilizes 10 different algorithms to predict miRNA-mRNA interaction, it was investigated probable interaction of miRNAs and genes that participate in Th17 differentiation. Results: Based on this study, 3 distinct miRNAs, miR-142, miR-146a and miR-150, were predicted to have a potential role in induction of Th17 differentiation. Therefore, control of these miRNAs could reduce MS symptoms. Conclusion: Conclusively, miR-142, miR-146a and miR-150 may be up-regulated in Th17 of MS patients, since bioinformatics data have shown that these miRNAs suppress negative regulator genes in Th17 differentiation. Thus, several therapeutic approaches may be considered for these miRNAs besides of their application as the valuable prognostic/diagnostic biomarkers in detection of various stages of MS

Effects of Exercise Training and Chlorogenic Acid Supplementation on Hepatic Lipid Metabolism in Prediabetes Mice

Background Since prediabetes is a risk factor for metabolic syndromes, it is important to promote a healthy lifestyle to prevent prediabetes. This study aimed to determine the effects of green coffee (GC), chlorogenic acid (CGA) intake, and exercise training (EX) on hepatic lipid metabolism in prediabetes male C57BL/6 mice. Methods Forty-nine mice were randomly divided into two groups feeding with a normal diet (n=7) or a high-fat diet (HFD, n=42) for 12 weeks. Then, HFD mice were further divided into six groups (n=7/group): control (pre-D), GC, CGA, EX, GC+EX, and CGA+EX. After additional 10 weeks under the same diet, plasma, and liver samples were obtained. Results HFD-induced prediabetes conditions with increases in body weight, glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, and lipid profiles were alleviated in all treatment groups. Acsl3, a candidate gene identified through an in silico approach, was lowered in the pre-D group, while treatments partly restored it. HFD induced adverse alterations of de novo lipogenesis- and β oxidation-associated molecules in the liver. However, GC and CGA supplementation and EX reversed or ameliorated these changes. In most cases, GC or CGA supplementation combined with EX has no synergistic effect and the GC group had similar results to the CGA group. Conclusion These findings suggest that regular exercise is an effective non-therapeutic approach for prediabetes, and CGA supplementation could be an alternative to partially mimic the beneficial effects of exercise on prediabetes

Nanostructure thin Films of titanium dioxide coated on glass and its anti UV effect for living organisms

Abstract: The increasing use of ultraviolet (UV) light in medicine, industrial environments, for cosmetic use, and even in consumer products necessitates that greater attention be paid to the potential hazards of this type of electromagnetic radiation. To avoid any adverse effects of exposure to this type of radiation, suitable protection filters were produced to block UV bands. Nanostructure composite and thin film of titanium dioxide coatings on glass have been prepared by the sol-gel method. TiO2 sol suspension was prepared by first adding titanium tetra isopropoxide (Ti(OPr)4 or TTP) to a mixture of ethanol and HCl (molar ratio TTP:HCl:EtOH:H2O = 1:1.1:10:10) and then adding a 2 wt.% solution of hydroxyl ethyl cellulose (HEC) as dispersant followed by of stirring. Precalcined TiO2 nanopowder was mixed with a sol and heat treated. Thin and composite films were deposited on the glass substrate (microscope glass slide) by spincoating them at ambient conditions. After drying, samples were heated to 500 ºC. The resulting films were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The purpose of our study was to determine if thin and composite TiO2 films with ultraviolet light have any effect on the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Bacillus species (Bacillus sp.) We have seen unusual results in which TiO2 thin and composite films protect E. coli, S. aureus and Bacillus sp from UV light. The survival of E. coli with UV alone was 3.2 % while with UV and TiO2 composite film was 91%. The UVabsorbing coatings are transparent, colorless, and exhibit high optical quality. The UV-protective coatings offer an easy method to protect the living organisms against UV

Intranuclear localization of EGFP-mouse PPARγ1 in bovine fibroblast cells

Objective: The aim of this study was to clone PPARγ1 cDNA in an appropriate mammalian expression vector, with a chimeric cDNA form, encompassing PPARγ with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) cDNA. This recombinant plasmid will be used for further analyses to investigate the molecular mechanism of PPARγ1 for neural differentiation process. Moreover, the nuclear localization of the PPARγ1 protein linked to EGFP marker was chased by using transient transfection of a constructed plasmid into bovine fibroblast cells. Materials and Methods: Total RNA was extracted from the fatty tissue of an adult mouse. Using specific pair primers, PPARγ1 cDNA was synthesized and amplified to produce the entire length of ORF. RT-PCR products containing PPARγ1 cDNA were treated by enzymatic digestion and inserted into the pEGFP-C1 downstream from EGFP cDNA. The constructed vector was used for transformation into bacterial competent cells. Positive colonies which showed inserted PPARγ1 cDNA were selected for plasmid preparations and additional analysis was performed to ensure that PPARγ1 cDNA was inserted properly. Finally, to confirm the intracellular localization of EGFP-PPARγ1, bovine fibroblast cells were transfected with the recombinant plasmid. Results: Our results from enzymatic digestion and sequencing confirmed, as expected, that PPARγ1 cDNA was amplified and cloned correctly. This cDNA gene encompassed 1428 bp. The related product was entered into the nucleus of bovine fibroblasts after transfection of its cDNA. Conclusion: PPARγ1 cDNA was cloned and sorted into nuclear compartments of bovine fibroblast cells upon transfection