The effect of Phoenix dactylifera pollen on the expression of NRF2, SOD2, CAT, and GPX4 genes, and sperm parameters of fertile and infertile men: A controlled clinical trial

Background: Oxidative stress is caused by the imbalance occurring between the creation and clearance of the reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is responsible for 30–40% of male infertility. The positive impact of phoenix dactylifera pollen (Date palm pollen, DPP) on the improvement of sperm parameters has been well documented in animal models. Objective: For evaluating the effect(s) of DPP on sperm parameters, ROS levels, expression of antioxidant genes, and activity of antioxidant enzymes of infertile men. Materials and Methods: In this controlled clinical trial, a total of 60 male case with infertility and 20 normospermic fertile men were recruited. Before and after the treatment with DPP, the case were administered 400 mg/kg of gelatinous capsules daily for 30 consecutive days and semen samples were taken. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was applied for the evaluation of the mRNA expression levels of Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(NRF2), superoxide dismutase (SOD2), glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4), and catalase (CAT) genes. Results: The mRNA expression levels of NRF2, SOD2, GPX4, and CAT (p < 0.05 for all) and significantly increased after treatment with DPP. The increased expressions of all antioxidant genes and enzymes significantly correlated with improvement in semen parameters including count (p = 0.01), motility (p = 0.05), and morphology (p = 0.01) of sperm. A significant correlation between the alteration of SOD2 gene expression and SOD activity, GPX4 and GPX, and CAT were also observed (p = 0.05). Conclusion: DPP can increase the expressions of NRF2, GPX4, SOD2, and CAT genes and also improve the semen quality in infertile men. Key words: DPP, Male infertility, SOD2, NRF2, GPX4, CAT, ROS, Spermatozoa

Corrigendum to: “The effect of Phoenix dactylifera pollen on the expression of NRF2, SOD2, CAT, and GPX4 genes, and sperm parameters of fertile and infertile men: A controlled clinical trial” [Int J Reprod BioMed 2021; 19: 545-558]"

This article is a Corrigendum to: “The effect of Phoenix dactylifera pollen on the expression of NRF2, SOD2, CAT, and GPX4 genes, and sperm parameters of fertile and infertile men: A controlled clinical trial” [Int J Reprod BioMed 2021; 19: 545-558]". Please download the PDF or view the article HTML

Activation of cannabinoid system in anterior cingulate cortex and orbitofrontal cortex modulates cost-benefit decision making

Despite the evidence for altered decision making in cannabis abusers, the role of the cannabinoid system in decision-making circuits has not been studied. Here, we examined the effects of cannabinoid modulation during cost-benefit decision making in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), key brain areas involved in decision making. We trained different groups of rats in a delay-based and an effort-based form of cost-benefit T-maze decision-making task. During test days, the rats received local injections of either vehicle or ACEA, a cannabinoid type-1 receptor (CB1R) agonist in the ACC or OFC. We measured spontaneous locomotor activity following the same treatments and characterized CB1Rs localization on different neuronal populations within these regions using immunohistochemistry. We showed that CB1R activation in the ACC impaired decision making such that rats were less willing to invest physical effort to gain high reward. Similarly, CB1R activation in the OFC induced impulsive pattern of choice such that rats preferred small immediate rewards to large delayed rewards. Control tasks ensured that the effects were specific for differential cost-benefit tasks. Furthermore, we characterized widespread colocalizations of CB1Rs on GABAergic axonal ends but few colocalizations on glutamatergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic neuronal ends. These results provide first direct evidence that the cannabinoid system plays a critical role in regulating cost-benefit decision making in the ACC and OFC and implicate cannabinoid modulation of synaptic ends of predominantly interneurons and to a lesser degree other neuronal populations in these two frontal regions

Activation of cannabinoid system in anterior cingulate cortex and orbitofrontal cortex modulates cost-benefit decision making

Despite the evidence for altered decision making in cannabis abusers, the role of the cannabinoid system in decision-making circuits has not been studied. Here, we examined the effects of cannabinoid modulation during cost-benefit decision making in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), key brain areas involved in decision making. We trained different groups of rats in a delay-based and an effort-based form of cost-benefit T-maze decision-making task. During test days, the rats received local injections of either vehicle or ACEA, a cannabinoid type-1 receptor (CB1R) agonist in the ACC or OFC. We measured spontaneous locomotor activity following the same treatments and characterized CB1Rs localization on different neuronal populations within these regions using immunohistochemistry. We showed that CB1R activation in the ACC impaired decision making such that rats were less willing to invest physical effort to gain high reward. Similarly, CB1R activation in the OFC induced impulsive pattern of choice such that rats preferred small immediate rewards to large delayed rewards. Control tasks ensured that the effects were specific for differential cost-benefit tasks. Furthermore, we characterized widespread colocalizations of CB1Rs on GABAergic axonal ends but few colocalizations on glutamatergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic neuronal ends. These results provide first direct evidence that the cannabinoid system plays a critical role in regulating cost-benefit decision making in the ACC and OFC and implicate cannabinoid modulation of synaptic ends of predominantly interneurons and to a lesser degree other neuronal populations in these two frontal regions

The Effect of Phoenix Dactylifera Pollen on the Expression of NRF2, SOD2, CAT, and GPX4 Genes, and Sperm Parameters of Fertile and Infertile Men: A Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: Oxidative stress is caused by the imbalance occurring between the creation and clearance of the reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is responsible for 30–40% of male infertility. The positive impact of phoenix dactylifera pollen (Date palm pollen, DPP) on the improvement of sperm parameters has been well documented in animal models. Objective: For evaluating the effect(s) of DPP on sperm parameters, ROS levels, expression of antioxidant genes, and activity of antioxidant enzymes of infertile men. Materials and Methods: In this controlled clinical trial, a total of 60 male case with infertility and 20 normospermic fertile men were recruited. Before and after the treatment with DPP, the case were administered 400 mg/kg of gelatinous capsules daily for 30 consecutive days and semen samples were taken. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was applied for the evaluation of the mRNA expression levels of Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(NRF2), superoxide dismutase (SOD2), glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4), and catalase (CAT) genes. Results: The mRNA expression levels of NRF2, SOD2, GPX4, and CAT (p < 0.05 for all) and significantly increased after treatment with DPP. The increased expressions of all antioxidant genes and enzymes significantly correlated with improvement in semen parameters including count (p = 0.01), motility (p = 0.05), and morphology (p = 0.01) of sperm. A significant correlation between the alteration of SOD2 gene expression and SOD activity, GPX4 and GPX, and CAT were also observed (p = 0.05). Conclusion: DPP can increase the expressions of NRF2, GPX4, SOD2, and CAT genes and also improve the semen quality in infertile men. Key words: DPP, Male infertility, SOD2, NRF2, GPX4, CAT, ROS, Spermatozoa

Exploring the role of activated charcoal from lignocellulosic biomass wastes for sustainable water treatment

For developing nations that are economically underdeveloped but have an abundance of biomass, using an affordable and effective heavy metal contamination treatment method based on biomass-activated carbon (AC) and other pollutants is obviously desired. Therefore, this review updates current studies that have used biowaste to adsorb pollutants such as heavy metals, dyes, and other adsorbates that are frequently encountered. Different biomass wastes were used to create AC using a two-step procedure that involved oxygen-free carbonization and activation. Compared with the more traditional physical/chemical activation approach, the microwave method has become more and more frequent in recent studies including the activation stage because it can ensure a more constant energy transfer in the biosorbents, resulting in enhanced surface area. Despite this, chemical activation is still frequently chosen due to its simplicity, affordability, and speed of setup. A detailed explanation of several other mechanisms for the adsorption of pollutants on biomass wastes-AC was also provided, including (i) surface binding capacity between metals and organic molecules (ii) electrostatic forces among oppositely charged ions, (iii) ion exchange between nucleophilic O 2 functional groups as well as divalent metal cations (M 2+), (iv) physical metal adsorption &amp; deposition. Additionally, important determinants of adsorption performance were thoroughly considered. Overall, this review gives an in-depth look at the manufacturing process of lignocellulosic AC and its use in water treatment, showing that biomass-based AC could have significant economic, environmental, and health benefits.</p