The effects of interaction of Dopaminergic and Kisspeptin neural pathways on Ghrelin secretion in rats

Dopamine, kisspeptin and ghrelin are important factors for regulating the reproduction and food intake. Finding the effective central or peripheral factors on ghrelin secretion attracted the attention of most researches. In the present experimental study, the effects of dopamine, kisspeptin and the GPR54 receptor signaling pathway role in the mediating the dopamine effects  was determined on ghrelin secretion. Forty Wistar male rats weighing 220-250g in 8 groups received saline, 1nmol kisspeptin, 5, 15 or 45 microgram dopamine hydrochloride, simultaneous injections of 1nmol peptide 234 and kisspeptin, 15microgram dopamine and kisspeptin or peptide234 and 15microgram dopamine via third cerebral ventricle respectively. Blood samples were collected via tail vein. Mean serum ghrelin concentrations were determined by rat ghrelin kit and ELISA method. Kisspeptin significantly decreased mean serum concentration compared to saline group, while 15 or 45 microgram dopamine significantly increased mean serum ghrelin level compared to saline group. Kisspeptin significantly blocked the stimulatory effects of dopamine on ghrelin secretion compared to dopamine group. Dopaminergic and kisspeptin/GPR54 signaling pathways may interact to control the ghrelin secretion at hypothalamic level. Stimulatory effects of dopamine on ghrelin secretions could exert partly via decreasing the activity of hypothalamic kisspeptin neurons

The Efficacy of Nigella sativa L. and Curcumin Nanomicelle Alone or Together on Lipid Profile, Glycemic Control Indices, and Serum 17-Β Estradiol in Postmenopausal Women

Introduction: Menopause is a condition for metabolic disorders. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Nigella sativa (NS), curcumin nanomicelle (CN), lipid profile, glycemic status and 17-β estradiol (ES) levels in postmenopausal women. Methods: Triple-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 120 postmenopausal women. Participants were randomly assigned to four groups: 1) NS capsule 1000 mg and CN placebo, 2) 80 mg CN capsule and NS placebo, 3) both NS and CN capsules and 4) NS and CN placebo. Participants received a single dose daily for 6 months. The serum lipid profile, glycemic control biomarkers, and ES were measured pre-and post-intervention using biochemical methods. Results: Total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, fasting blood sugar (FBS), fasting insulin (FI), insulin resistance (IR), and ES showed significant improvement in NS group. CN significantly reduced TC, FI, and IR, and significantly increased ES. The combination of NS-CN significantly decreased TC, LDL, FI, and IR, and increased HDL and ES. The comparison of the studied with the placebo groups showed that these changes were significant in glycemic indices and NS significantly increased estrogen. Conclusion: NS, CN and NS-CN improved lipid profiles, blood sugar, and hormone levels. However, this improvement was significant in glycemic indices and estrogen levels compared to the placebo group. No superiority of combined NS-CN over NS or CN was found in this trial

The effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of Ceratonia Silique L. on spermatogenesis index in rats treated with cyclophosphamide: An experimental study

Background: Ceratonia silique (Ceratonia) is a medicinal herb with antioxidant properties that reduces oxidative stress. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the antioxidant effects of Ceratonia extract on improving the toxicity induced by cyclophosphamide (CP) on spermatogenesis. Materials and Methods: 54 male Wistar rats (4 months old) weighing 200-250 gr were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 9/each): “group 1 (control) underwent the normal diet and water; group 2 (sham) received 2 ml/day normal saline; group 3 (positive control) received 300 mg/kg/day Ceratonia extract; group 4 (Ceratonia + CP) received Ceratonia extract (300 mg/kg/day) + 5 mg/kg/day CP (Endoxan, baxter oncology gmbh, Germany) after 4 hr; group 5 (CP) received 5 mg/kg/day CP + normal saline 4 hr after it; and group 6 (CP + Ceratonia) received Ceratonia extract (300 mg/kg/day) 4 hr after 5 mg/kg/day CP.” 24 hr after the last gavage, heart blood sampling was performed to measure the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), ferric reducing antioxidant power, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone. The left caudal epididymis was cut in the Ham’s F10 and the released spermatozoa were used to analyze sperm parameters. The histology of the right testes was studied using stereological techniques and the left testes were used to measure the level of tissue MDA and ferric reducing antioxidant power. Results: A significant increase in the mean level of MDA (p = 0.013) was seen in the CP compared to the control group. Sperm motility (p = 0.001) and count (p = 0.002), serum and tissue total antioxidant (p ≤ 0.001) and serum testosterone levels (p = 0.019) decreased in the CP compared to the control group. Ceratonia extract could significantly prevent the adverse effects of CP on sperm motility (p < 0.001), the mean levels of tissue MDA (p = 0.018), serum total antioxidant (p = 0.045), and testosterone (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The Ceratonia extract can modify the reproductive toxicity of CP in rat due to the presence of antioxidant compounds. Key words: Cyclophosphamide, Ceratonia siliqua, Spermatogenesis, Rat, Spermatogenesis indexes

The Effects of COVID-19/ACE2 on Pregnancy Events and Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Background & Objectives: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed as the cause of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The disease presents with a wide range of clinical signs and symptoms involving vital organs such as the lungs, heart, gastrointestinal tract, liver, central nervous system, blood, and kidneys. It also potentially affects other organs, including the placenta.The present systematic review aimed to evaluate effects of SARS-CoV-2 on pregnant women, fetuses, and infants born to infected mothers. Material & Methods: The search fields used in this study were angiotensin-converting enzyme receptor (ACE2), fetus, pregnancy, and SARS-CoV-2. We reviewed articles published in 2020 and 2022. The inclusion criteria were articles on receptor expression, virus entry into the host cell, studies on the characteristics and outcomes of pregnant or recently pregnant women with SARS-CoV-2 infection who were approved and characteristics and outcomes of infants whose mothers were infected with SARS-CoV-2. Results: The virus uses the ACE2 to enter the cell. The coronavirus can be expected to affect any cell or organ that expresses ACE2. Female reproductive system is one of the systems that express ACE2. The destructive effects of COVID-19 on maternal and fetal health are strongly influenced by the spatial-temporal distribution of ACE2. Conclusion: The harmful role of COVID-19 in pregnancy is highly controversial, although maternal COVID-19 infection contributes to adverse consequences of pregnancy. There is a limited amount of information on the efficacy of COVID-19 on pregnants and their fetuses

A review on the effect of nanocomposite scaffolds reinforced with magnetic nanoparticles in osteogenesis and healing of bone injuries

Abstract Many problems related to disorders and defects of bone tissue caused by aging, diseases, and injuries have been solved by the multidisciplinary research field of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Numerous sciences, especially nanotechnology, along with tissue engineering, have greatly contributed to the repair and regeneration of tissues. Various studies have shown that the presence of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) in the structure of composite scaffolds increases their healing effect on bone defects. In addition, the induction of osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the presence of these nanoparticles has been investigated and confirmed by various studies. Therefore, in the present article, the types of MNPs, their special properties, and their application in the healing of damaged bone tissue have been reviewed. Also, the molecular effects of MNPs on cell behavior, especially in osteogenesis, have been discussed. Finally, the present article includes the potential applications of MNP-containing nanocomposite scaffolds in bone lesions and injuries. In summary, this review article highlights nanocomposite scaffolds containing MNPs as a solution for treating bone defects in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine