The correlation between total antioxidant capacity and nitric oxide concentration in seminal plasma with sperm DNA damage

Sperm DNA quality is important in male fertility. Oxidative stress increases sperm DNA damages. Antioxidants decrease production of free radicals and scavenge them. Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical which is produced by most cells and has a dual role on cells. Low concentrations of NO is essential in biology and physiology of systems but high level of NO has a detrimental effect on cells. The aim of this study was to determine the role of the nitric oxide concentration and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in seminal plasma with sperm DNA damage. Semen samples from 45 infertile men and 70 normozospermic men were examined for DNA damage, nitric oxide concentration and TAC. DNA damage was measured by comet assay and nitric oxide concentration was evaluated by Griess assay. TAC was measured in seminal plasma based on the generation of peroxyl radicals from 2,2-azinobis (2-amidino propane) dihydrochlorid (AAPH). Our results show that the means of DNA damage and nitric oxide concentration in infertile men was higher than fertile men. TAC level in infertile men was significantly lower than fertile men. DNA damage was significantly correlated with nitric oxide concentration in infertile men (p = 0.001, r = +0.598) and TAC (p = 0.04, r = - 0.3) in infertile men. In conclusion, sperm DNA damage in infertile men may be induced by nitric oxide-mediated oxidative stress and low levels of TAC.Keywords: Nitric oxide, male infertility, total antioxidant capacity, DNA damageAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(35), pp. 5739-5745, 30 August, 201

Impacts of garlic extract on testicular oxidative stress and sperm characteristics in type 1 and 2 diabetic rats: An experimental study

Background: Hyperglycemia damages various tissues such as the testes through oxidative stress and inflammation, which can eventually lead to infertility. Objective: Garlic extract effects on the testicular tissue of diabetic rats were investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats (8-wk old, weighing 230-300 gr) were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 6/each) including; C: control rats, G: received 0.4 gr of garlic extract/100 gr body weight, D1: Streptozotocin-induced-diabetic rats or type 1, D1+G: D1 rats that were treated with garlic, D2: Streptozotocin + nicotinamide-induced-diabetic rats or type 2, D2+G: D2 rats treated with garlic. At the end of the study, serum testosterone was assayed by ELISA. Also, sperm quality and quantity were evaluated. For determination of oxidative stress status, total antioxidant capacity, total oxidative status, lipid peroxidation, and thiol groups were assayed in the testis tissues of the rats by colorimetric methods. Also, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) gene expression and the protein level of interleukin-1-1β (IL-1β) were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results: In diabetic rats, glucose, total oxidative status and lipid peroxidation, iNOS gene expression, and IL-1β were higher than in non-diabetic rats, whereas testosterone, total antioxidant capacity and thiol groups, and sperm quality were significantly lower compared with control rats. These alterations were normalized by garlic intervention. Conclusion: In diabetic rats, garlic was associated with reduced glucose, oxidative stress, IL-1β, and iNOS gene expression and increased testosterone and sperm quality. So, the results suggest that garlic can reduce the severity of damage in testicular tissues of diabetic rats through its hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Key words: Diabetes mellitus, Garlic, Oxidative stress, Inflammation, Testis

Total antioxidant capacity of saliva and dental caries

Objective: Dental caries is one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide. Saliva has many functions in the oral cavity and is the first line defense against dental caries. Oxidative stress can affect initiation and progression of many inflammatory and infectious diseases such as dental caries. Thus the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of saliva and dental caries. Study D esign: 100 healthy high school students (50 female and 50 male) with age range of 15 -17 years were randomly selected, divided to four groups. Unstimulated whole saliva specimens were collected at the morning. TAC of saliva was evaluated by spectrophotometric assay. Statistical comparisons were performed using Student's t-test, by SPSS 13. Results: The level of TAC was significantly higher in the saliva of caries active group relative to the caries free subjects. Statistical analysis for male and female groups showed a statistically significant reduction of TAC level in female group. Conclusion: TAC was higher in caries active group. Thus this result showed that total antioxidant capacity may influence in dental caries and activity can be measured by salivary factors and this may be helpful in preventive dentistry

Attenuation of Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Into Adipocytes by Co-administration of Calcium and All-trans Retinoic Acid

Background: Adipogenesis is affected by multiple factors, among which all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and Ca2+are considered important factors. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of calcium, ATRA, and their underlying molecular mechanisms, alone and in combination, on adipocyte differentiation. Methods: Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAD-MSCs) were differentiated into adipocytes and simultaneously exposed to 0.5 μM ATRA or 2.5 mM calcium, or both in combination for 14 days. Results: Higher intracellular Ca2+was observed in both Ca2+and Ca2+plus ATRA groups. Assessment of triglyceride content and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) activity indicated lower differentiation levels in all treatment groups than in the control group. Furthermore, the results demonstrated a higher expression of retinoic acid receptor alpha (RAR-α) and lower expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2 (PPARγ2) and glucose transferase-4 (GLUT4) in the treatment groups as compared with the control group. It is noteworthy that Ca2+plus ATRA treatment caused more significant effects on gene expression levels (P<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, combined treatment with Ca2+and ATRA has a more pronounced inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation, indicating their cumulative effect

Study of Nonenzymatic Glycation of Transferrin and its Effect on Iron -Binding Antioxidant Capacity

Abstract Objective(s) Nonenzymatic glycosylation (glycation) occurs in many macromolecules in aging and diabetes due to exposure of biomolecules to high level of glucose. Glycation can changes function, activities and structure of many biomolecules. Considering this important role of transferrin (Trf) in iron transport and antioxidant activity in plasma this study was carried out to investigate the effect of glycation in these processes. Materials and Methods In this study, human apo-Trf (5 mg/ml in sodium phosphate buffer pH= 7.4) was treated with different concentrations of glucose in different period of times (10 days and 20 days). Rate of glycation was measured using thiobarbituric acid method. The effect of glycation on iron binding antioxidant capacity of apo-Trf was investigated using two methods (RBC hemolysis and fluorescent). Results Result showed that rate of glycation of apo-Trf was increased with increase in glucose concentration and time of incubation (P&lt; 0.05). Lower iron binding antioxidant capacity was observed for glycted Trf as compared to native Trf (P&lt; 0.05). Conclusion Impairment of antioxidant capacity of glycated Trf can suggest a relationship between glycation of Trf and oxidative stress that occurs due to hyperglycemia in diabetic patients

Inhaled Glucocorticoid Use and the Risk of Osteoporosis in Asthmatic Patients

Background: Recently many studies have focused on the possible role of corticosteroids inhalation on osteoporosis in asthma patients. This study aimed to determine whether the indicatives of bone formation or resorption are different between asthma patients with healthy subjects. Materials and Methods: To achieve this outcome, twenty one middle-aged asthma patients treated with inhaled corticosteroid and the same number healthy individuals matched for age (38 &plusmn; 6.5 years of old) participated in this study by accessible sampling. All subjects were non-trained and no smoker. Serum osteocalcin (OC), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and cross-linked telopeptides of type I collagen (CTX) were measured to assess and compare bone formation and resorption between 2 groups. An Independent sample T-test was used to compare all variables between asthma and healthy subjects. Results: Significant differences were not observed in body weight and other anthropometrical markers between 2 groups (p > 0.05). Serum osteocalcin have shown a borderline significant lower in asthma patients than healthy subjects (p = 0.051). ALP was significantly lower in asthma patients than healthy subjects (p = 0.021). But serum CTX levels were higher in asthma patients than in healthy subjects (p=0.014). Conclusion: Based on these finding, it is appear that inhaled corticosteroid in asthma patients can be affect bone turnover in asthma patients, although more research is needed to further explore any potential link between corticosteroids and osteoporosis. &nbsp

The Treatment of Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Using Phle-botomy: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

This randomized clinical trial aimed to assess the efficacy of phlebotomy on improvement of hearing loss. 71 patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss were enrolled in this randomized clinical trial study. They were divided into two groups: group A received steroid and hydration therapy plus phlebotomy, while group B received the same regimen without phlebotomy. They were matched according to sex, age, Hb, and Htc. Pure tone audiometries were administered to examine the hearing levels before and after treatment. Statistical analysis showed higher improvement in 250-1000 Hz in patients whit phlebotomy (P<0.001). However, there was noticed no significant difference in hearing improvement in 2000-8000 Hz between two methods. The number (%) of patients who had improvement was 29(85.3%) in phlebotomy group and 21(56.8%) in non-phlebotomy group. On the other hand, the number (%) of patients who showed no improvement in A and B group was 5(14.7%) and 16(43.2%), respectively (P=0.008). Using phlebotomy accompanied by steroid and hydration therapy leads to higher improvement in hearing loss especially in 250-1000 Hz. We think that this method has the ability to achieve better result in the management of patients with SSNHL

Study of Nonenzymatic Glycation of Transferrin and its Effect on Iron –Binding Antioxidant Capacity

Objective(s)Nonenzymatic glycosylation (glycation) occurs in many macromolecules in aging and diabetes due to exposure of biomolecules to high level of glucose. Glycation can changes function, activities and structure of many biomolecules. Considering this important role of transferrin (Trf) in iron transport and antioxidant activity in plasma this study was carried out to investigate the effect of glycation in these processes.Materials and MethodsIn this study, human apo-Trf (5 mg/ml in sodium phosphate buffer pH= 7.4) was treated with different concentrations of glucose in different period of times (10 days and 20 days). Rate of glycation was measured using thiobarbituric acid method. The effect of glycation on iron binding antioxidant capacity of apo-Trf was investigated using two methods (RBC hemolysis and fluorescent). ResultsResult showed that rate of glycation of apo-Trf was increased with increase in glucose concentration and time of incubation (P< 0.05). Lower iron binding antioxidant capacity was observed for glycted Trf as compared to native Trf (P< 0.05). ConclusionImpairment of antioxidant capacity of glycated Trf can suggest a relationship between glycation of Trf and oxidative stress that occurs due to hyperglycemia in diabetic patients

Aminoguanidine partially prevents the reduction in liver pyruvate kinase activity in diabetic rats

Background : Low molecular weight aldehydes and carbonyl compounds which are derived from glucose metabolism are prevalent in diabetic plasma. These compounds react to amino groups of Lys and Arg and lead to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). This modification changes the function of the proteins. The present study aimed to survey the effect of diabetes on rat liver pyruvate kinase activity and to show the inhibitory effect of aminoguanidine (AG). Materials and Methods : Male Wistar rats (n = 18, 6 to 8 weeks old) were divided randomly in three groups: the first group as control; second and third groups were induced diabetes using streptozocin. Third group received AG orally for 8 weeks after diabetes induction. Liver cell homogenate was prepared from all studied groups and L-type pyruvate kinase was separated from the homogenate. Pyruvate kinase activity was determined in both liver cell homogenate and extracted L-type PK. The PK activity was compared in all samples between groups. Results : PK activity in isolated form and in liver cell homogenate was lower in diabetic rats as compared to control group. AG-treated group showed higher PK activity compared to untreated diabetic group; however, the difference was not significant. Non-significant difference in PK activity between AG-treated diabetic and non-diabetic (control) group indicated the inhibitory effect of AG in glycation of PK. Conclusion : The obtained results showed PK activity decreased in diabetic rats and AG can partially prevent the reduction in PK activity