Effects of monosodium glutamate on apoptosis of germ cells in testicular tissue of adult rat: An experimental study

Background: Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is used as a flavoring and food seasoning. Some studies have reported the oxidative effects of using this substance on various tissues. Objective: This study has investigated the effects of MSG and the protective effect of vitamin C (vit C) on apoptosis of testicular germ cells and biochemical factors. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control (received distilled water), vit C group (150 mg/kg), experimental group 1 (MSG 3 gr/kg), experimental group 2 (MSG 3 gr/kg + vit C 150 mg/kg). The rats were gavaged for 30 days, and then were sacrificed, the right testis was isolated for biochemical examinations for the glutathione, malondialdehyde, and left testis used in histological experiments. Tunnel staining was used to determine the number of apoptotic cells. Results: The results showed that apoptotic cells in the MSG group had a significant increase compared to the control group (P = 0.001), but the number of these cells in the MSG co-administered with vit C and vit C groups were significantly lower than the MSG group. Germinal epithelial thickness also decreased in MSG group compared to the control group. Conclusion: MSG can lead to increase apoptotic changes in the germinal epithelial of the testicle, and vit C as an antioxidant can modify the pathological and biochemical changes induced by MSG

Hesperidin Plays Neuroprotective Effects Against Quinolinic Acid in Human SH-SY5Y Cells: Focusing on ROS Levels and Cell Cycle Arrest

Background and objectives: In some neurodegenerative diseases, an aberrant accumulation of quinolinic acid is frequently associated with the loss of nerve cells and a condition known as neuritis. This is typically caused by an excessive production of free radicals. Studies have shown that hesperidin has potent antioxidant effects, but nothing is known about how it protects against the neurotoxicity induced by quinolinic acid. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of hesperidin against quinolinic acid-induced neurotoxicity in the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line. Methods: The MTT test was used to determine cell viability and protective dosage of hesperidin. Flow cytometry using propidium iodide (PI) staining was used to determine the cell cycle of SH-SY5Y cells after exposure to quinolinic acid in combination with hesperidin. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels within cells were also measured using 2', 7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (H2DCFDA) in the mentioned groups. Results: Our results demonstrated that hesperidin had a protective effect against quinolinic acid-induced toxicity at nontoxic concentrations (p<0.001). Moreover, the percentage of apoptotic cells in the sub-G1 phase increased significantly (p<0.001). Hesperidin pretreatment significantly decreased sub-G1 arrest that was induced by quinolinic acid (p<0.001). Hesperidin significantly decreased ROS levels generated by quinolinic acid (p<0.001). Conclusion: The current study showed that hesperidin exerts its effect through antioxidant activity and can be considered a promising neuroprotectant agent against quinolinic acid-induced neurotoxicity in neurodegenerative disorders; however, more research is necessary in this area for the treatment

Cardioprotective effects of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graceum) seed extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Introduction: Inadequate control of diabetes mellitus (DM) leads to considerable cardiovascular implications like diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM). Cardiomyocyte apoptosis is one of the main mechanisms of DCM pathogenesis associated with hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, hyperlipidemia and several other factors. Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek) has been long used as a traditional medicine and has many therapeutic effects, including anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. The current study aimed to investigate cardioprotective effects of fenugreek seed on diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced in forty-two male rats by injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/ kg). Diabetic animals were treated with three different doses of fenugreek seed extract (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) or metformin (300 mg/kg) for six weeks by gavage. Nondiabetic rats served as controls. Glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides levels were measured in the blood samples, and oxidative stress markers as well as gene expression of ICAM1, Bax and Bcl2 were assessed in the cardiac tissues of the experimental groups. Results: Diabetic rats exhibited increased serum glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides levels, elevated markers of oxidative stress thiobarbituric acid–reacting substances (TBARS) levels , total thiol groups (SH), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and enhanced apoptosis cell death (ratio of Bax/Bcl2). Fenugreek seed extract considerably improved metabolism abnormalities, attenuated oxidative stress and diminished apoptosis index. Conclusion: Our study suggests that fenugreek seed may protect the cardiac structure in STZ-induced diabetic rats by attenuating oxidative stress and apoptosis

Effects of Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) on Sperm Quality, Testicular Structure, Testosterone Level and Oxidative Stress in Busulfan-Induced Infertile Mice

Background: Ceratonia silique has antioxidant activities that may inactivate toxic factors and influence sperm quality. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, there is no available data on the effects of carob on male fertility. Hence, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of carob on sperm quality, testicular structure, and level of testosterone hormone in busulfan-induced infertile mice. Methods: Sixty-four adult male mice were randomly divided into 8 groups (control, sham, busulfan and carobs 1 to 5). The busulfan group was injected a single dose of 10 mg/kg busulfan intraperitoneally. Carobs 1 to 5 groups received intraperitoneal doses of 800, 400, 200, 100 and 50 mg/kg of carob extract plus a single dose of 10 mg/kg busulfan for 35 days. The sperm analysis, morphometric study, testosterone levels and oxidative stress determination were done on the 35th day of the experiment. Results: The lowest percentage of sperm parameters was related to the busulfan group and the highest was related to the carobs 1 and 2 groups. The seminal vesicles index of the carob 1 group showed a significant increase as compared to the busulfan group (p < 0.001). A significant increase was observed in the mean value of germinal epithelium thickness, as well as thiol and catalase levels in carobs 1 and 2 groups as compared to the busulfan group (p < 0.001). There was a significant increase in the mean level of testosterone in the carob groups as compared to the busulfan group (p < 0.001). Also, there was a significant decrease in the mean value of malondialdehyde level in the carobs 1 and 2 groups p < 0.001) and a significant increase in the mean value of superoxide dismutase enzyme in the carob groups as compared to the busulfan group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Administration of 800 mg/kg of carob extract for 35 days improved sperm quality, biochemical parameters, thickness of germinal epithelium and testosterone levels in infertile mice induced by busulfan

Neuroprotective effects of hesperidin and auraptene on 6-hydroxydopamine-induced neurodegeneration in SH-SY5Y cells

Objective: Destruction of dopaminergic neurons causes diseases. Various compounds with neuroprotective and antioxidant properties have been identified, including Hesperidin (HES) and Auraptene (AUR). We aimed in this study to evaluate the in vitro protective effects of these compounds in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line against the induced neurotoxicity of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA).Materials and Methods: The MTT test to assess cell viability was used. Flow cytometry was conducted for the cell cycle analysis using propidium iodide (PI) stain. The intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assessed using 2, 7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) probe and fluorimetry.Results: Following 6-OHDA treatment, cell viability decreased, and G2/M arrest and ROS levels increased. Our intervention demonstrated that only HES has neuroprotective effects against 6-OHDA-induced toxicity.Conclusion: HES protects SH-SY5Y cells against 6-OHDA-induced neural damage via inhibiting G2/M arrest, reducing the amount of ROS, and increasing cell viability. However, the different effects and more precise mechanisms are still unknown, and requires new research on animal and human models

The effect of adipose derived stromal cells on oxidative stress level, lung emphysema and white blood cells of guinea pigs model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract Background Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a worldwide epidemic disease and a major cause of death and disability. The present study aimed to elucidate pharmacological effects of adipose derived stromal cells (ASCs) on pathological and biochemical factors in a guinea pig model of COPD. Guinea pigs were randomized into 5 groups including: Control, COPD, COPD + intratracheal delivery of PBS as a vehicle (COPD-PBS), COPD + intratracheal delivery of ASCs (COPD-ITASC) and COPD + intravenous injection of ASCs (COPD-IVASC). COPD was induced by exposing animals to cigarette smoke for 3 months. Cell therapy was performed immediately after the end of animal exposure to cigarette smoke and 14 days after that, white blood cells, oxidative stress indices and pathological changes of the lung were measured. Results Compared with control group, emphysema was clearly observed in the COPD and COPD-PBS groups (p &lt; 0.001). Lung histopathologic changes of COPD-ITASC and COPD-IVASC groups showed non-significant improvement compared to COPD-PBS group. The COPD-ITASC group showed a significant increase in total WBC compared to COPD-PBS group but there was not a significant increase in this regard in COPD-IVASC group. The differential WBC showed no significant change in number of different types of leukocytes. The serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA) significantly decreased but thiol groups of broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) increased in both cell treated groups (p &lt; 0.05 for all cases). Weight of animals decreased during smoke exposure and improved after PBS or cell therapy. However, no significant change was observed between the groups receiving PBS and the ones receiving ASCs. Conclusion Cell therapy with ASCs can help in reducing oxidative damage during smoking which may collectively hold promise in attenuation of the severity of COPD although the lung structural changes couldn’t be ameliorated with these pharmacological therapeutic methods. </jats:sec

Lipopolysaccharide-induced memory impairment in rats is preventable using 7-nitroindazole

Inflammation and oxidative stress have important roles in memory impairment. The effect of 7-nitroindazole (7NI) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced memory impairment was investigated. Rats were used, divided into four groups that were treated as follows: (1) control (saline); (2) LPS; (3) 7NI-LPS; and (4) 7NI before passive avoidance (PA). In the LPS group, the latency for entering the dark compartment was shorter than in the controls (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001); while in the 7NI-LPS group, it was longer than in the LPS group (p < 0.01 and p < 0.001). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) metabolite concentrations in the brain tissues of the LPS group were higher than in the controls (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05); while in the 7NI-LPS group, they were lower than in the LPS group (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, respectively). The thiol content in the brain of the LPS group was lower than in the controls (p < 0.001); while in the 7NI-LPS group, it was higher than in the LPS group (p < 0.001). It is suggested that brain tissue oxidative damage and NO elevation have a role in the deleterious effects of LPS on memory retention that are preventable using 7NI

Brain tissue oxidative damage as a possible mechanism for the deleterious effect of a chronic high dose of estradiol on learning and memory in ovariectomized rats

In addition to antioxidative effects, estrogens also exert pro-oxidative actions. The effect of chronic administration of a high dose of estradiol valerate on Morris water maze tasks and brain tissues oxidative damage was investigated. The Sham-Est and OVX-Est groups were treated with estradiol valerate (4 mg/kg) for 12 weeks. Escape latency and traveled path in the Sham-Est and OVX-Est groups were significantly higher than in the Sham and OVX groups (p≪0.01 and p≪0.001). In the probe trial, the animals of the Sham-Est and OVX-Est groups spent lower time in Q1 compared to Sham and OVX groups (p≪0.05 and p≪0.001). In Sham-Est and OVX-Est groups, the brain tissue total thiol concentration was significantly lower, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were higher than in the Sham and OVX groups (p≪0.05 and p≪0.001). It is concluded that administration of high exogenous levels of estradiol impairs performance and enhances oxidative stress