Di-(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate-Induced Hippocampus-Derived Neural Stem Cells Proliferation

The brain and spinal cord have a limited capacity for self-repair under damaged conditions. One of the best options to overcome these limitations involves the use of phytochemicals as potential therapeutic agents. In this study, we have aimed to investigate the effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) on hippocampus-derived neural stem cells (NSCs) proliferation to search phytochemical candidates for possible treatment of neurological diseases using endogenous capacity. In this experimental study, neonatal rat hippocampus-derived NSCs were cultured and treated with various concentrations of DEHP (0, 100, 200, 400 and 600 mu M) and Cirsium vulgare (C. vulgare) hydroethanolic extract (0, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1000 mu g/ml) for 48 hours under in vitro conditions. Cell proliferation rates and quantitative Sox2 gene expression were evaluated using MTT assay and real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). We observed the highest average growth rate in the 400 mu M DEHP and 800 mu g/ml C. vulgare extract treated groups. Sox2 expression in the DEHP-treated NSCs significantly increased compared to the control group. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) results demonstrated that the active ingredients that naturally occurred in the C. vulgare hydroethanolic extract were 2-ethyl-1-hexanamine, n-heptacosane, 1-cyclopentane-carboxylic acid, 1-heptadecanamine, 2,6-octadien-1-ol, 2,6,10,14,18,22-tetracosahexaene, and DEHP. DEHP profoundly stimulated NSCs proliferation through Sox2 gene overexpression. These results provide and opportunity for further use of the C. vulgure phytochemicals for prevention and/or treatment of neurological diseases via phytochemical mediated-proliferation of endogenous adult NSCs

Indirect co-culture of testicular cells with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells leads to male germ cell-specific gene expressions

Objective: Non-obstructive azoospermia is mostly irreversible. Efforts to cure this type of infertility have led to the application of stem cells in the reproduction field. In the present study, testicular cell-mediated differentiation of male germ-like cells from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) in an in vitro indirect co-culture system is investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, mouse BM-MSCs were isolated and cultured up to passage three. Identification of the cells was evaluated using specific surface markers by flow-cytometry technique. Four experimental groups were investigated: control, treatment with retinoic acid (RA), indirect co-culture with testicular cells, and combination of RA and indirect co-culture with testicular cells. Finally, following differentiation, the quantitative expression of germ cell-specific markers including Dazl, Piwil2 and Stra8 were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Molecular analysis revealed a significant increase in Dazl expression in the indirect co-culture with testicular cells group in comparison to the control group. Quantitative expression level of Piwil2 was not significantly changed in comparison to the control group. Stra8 expression was significantly higher in RA group in comparison to other groups. Conclusion: Indirect co-culture of BM-MSCs in the presence of testicular cells leads to expression of male germ cell-specific gene, Dazl, in the induced cells. Combination of co-culture with testicular cells and RA did not show any positive effect on the specific gene expressions. © 2019 Royan Institute (ACECR). All rights reserved

Differentiation of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells into male germ-like cells in co-culture with testicular cells

Objective. Stem cell therapy, specifically, pre-induction of mesenchymal stem cells toward male germ-like cells may be useful in patients with azoospermia. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro differentiation of mouse bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into male germ-like cells by indirect co-culture with testicular cells in the presence of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4). Methods. Experimental groups included: control (mouse BMSCs), treatment group-1 (BMSCs treated with BMP4), treatment group-2 (indirect co-culture of BMSCs with mouse testicular cells in the presence of BMP4) and treatment group-3 (indirect co-culture of BMSCs with testicular cells). BMSCs-derived male germ-like cells were evaluated by the expression of Dazl, and Stra8 using RT-qPCR. Results. Stra8 gene expression was significantly increased in the treatment group-2 and Dazl gene was significantly increased in the treatment group-1 compared to other groups. In conclusion, indirect co-culturing of BMSCs with testicular cells and BMP4 leads to the differentiation of BMSCs into male germ-like cells which express specific male germ-like genes. Testicular cells released factors that contributed to the differentiation of BMSCs into male germ progenitor cells. Conclusion. This study suggests that mesenchymal stem cells may be differentiated into male germ-like cells and therefore, may be a novel treatment option for men with azoospermia. © 2019 Nasim Malekmohamadi et al

Subcellular localization of L-selectin ligand in the endometrium implies a novel function for pinopodes in endometrial receptivity (vol 10, 46, 2012)

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article

Melatonin protects testes against lithium-pilocarpine-induced temporal lobe epilepsy in rats: a time course study

Male dysfunction is common in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). We evaluated whether melatonin, as a supplement, can play a positive role in reducing the epileptogenesis imposing abnormalities of spermatozoa and testes in epileptic rats. Status epilepticus was induced based on the TLE lithium-pilocarpine model. Two patterns of melatonin were administered to the epileptic animals along the mean durations of latent (14days) and chronic (60days) phases. Sperm parameters, different antioxidant enzyme levels, germ cell apoptosis, body and relative sex organ weights were evaluated in all groups 60days following SE induction. Chronic TLE caused a significant reduction in sperm parameters. In the testis, the reduced level of antioxidant enzymes was accompanied by a significant increase in malondialdehyde concentration. The presence of oxidant condition in the testes of epileptic animals caused expanded apoptosis in the germ cell layer. Moreover, the amount of weight gain in epileptic animals was more prominent. Melatonin administration was able to improve sperm motility by increasing the total antioxidant level. There was also a significant reduction in the spermatogenic cell line apoptosis and the extra weight gain of melatonin-treated animals. Melatonin supplementation might be considered as an acceptable cotreatment in epileptic patients

Health-related quality of life of parents of children with phenylketonuria in Tehran Province, Islamic Republic of Iran Qualité de vie liée à la santé des parents d�enfants atteints de phénylcétonurie dans la province de Téhéran (République islamique d�Iran)

Background: Parents of children with phenylketonuria are at risk of reduced quality of life. Aims: This study determined the quality of life of parents of children with phenylketonuria in Tehran Province. Methods: The study was conducted in 2015 and included parents of children with phenylketonuria referred to three government children�s hospitals in Tehran Province that provide phenylketonuria services. Data were collected using the Farsi version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref questionnaire. Analysis of variance, t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression were used to assess the relationship between quality of life domains and sociodemographic characteristics of the parent and child. Results: The study included 240 parents; 55 were mothers. Quality of life of parents in psychological, social relationships and environment domains was low. Significant relationships were found between: physical domain and age of child at phenylketonuria diagnosis (P = 0.044); psychological domain and parent�s age (P = 0.019), child�s age (P = 0.007) and parent�s education (P = 0.015); social relationships domain and parent�s age (P = 0.003), and education (P = 0.002), household income (P = 0.025) and child�s age (P = 0.004; and environmental domain and residence (P = 0.034), parent�s education (P = 0.007), household income (P = 0.002) and child�s age (P = 0.049). In the multivariable analysis, parent�s age and education, child�s age, and household income were significantly associated with parent�s quality of life. Conclusion: Given the low levels of quality of life in the parents, education and more financial support are recommended. Keywords: quality of life, parents, phenylketonuria, Iran © World Health Organization (WHO) 2020. Open Access. Some rights reserved. © 2020, World Health Organization. All rights reserved