N-acetylcysteine compared to metformin, improves the expression profile of growth differentiation factor-9 and receptor tyrosine kinase c-kit in the oocytes of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Paracrine disruption of growth factors in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) results in production of low quality oocyte, especially following ovulation induction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of metformin (MET), N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and their combination on the hormonal levels and expression profile of GDF-9, BMP-15 and c-kit, as hallmarks of oocyte quality, in PCOS patients. Materials and Methods: This prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial aims to study the effects of MET, NAC and their combination (MET+NAC) on expression of GDF-9, BMP-15 and c-kit mRNA in oocytes [10 at the germinal vesicle (GV) stage, 10 at the MI stage, and 10 at the MII stage from per group] derived following ovulation induction in PCOS. Treatment was carried out for six weeks, starting on the third day of previous cycle until oocyte aspiration. The expression of GDF9, BMP15 and c-kit were determined by quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot analysis. Data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA. Results: The follicular fluid (FF) level of c-kit protein significantly decreased in the NAC group compared to the other groups. Significant correlations were observed between the FF soluble c-kit protein with FF volume, androstenedione and estradiol. The GDF-9 expression in unfertilized mature oocytes were significantly higher in the NAC group compared to the other groups (P<0.001). Similar difference was not observed between the MET, NAC+MET and control groups. The c-kit expression in unfertilized mature oocytes were significantly lower in the NAC group compared to the other groups (P<0.001). Similar difference was not observed between the MET, NAC+MET and control groups (Registration number: IRCT201204159476N1). Conclusion: We concluded that NAC can improve the quality of oocytes in PCOS. © 2017, Royan Institute (ACECR). All rights reserved

Effect of Nigella sativa oil against Bisphenol A induced toxicity on the tissue of male NMRI mice kidney : A stereological study

Background and Objective: Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor chemical and as an environmental pollutant is able to generate free radicals causing tissue damage. This study was done to investigate the effect of Nigella sativa oil against BPA induced toxicity on the tissue of male NMRI mice kidney by stereological method. Methods: In this experimental study 24 adult male NMRI mice (32±3 g) were randomly allocated into control, BPA (200 mg/kg/day), BPA (200 mg/kg/day) plus Nigella sativa oil (5 ml/kg/day) and Nigella sativa oil (5 ml/kg/day) groups and treated for 5 weeks, orally. At the end, animals were sacrificed, their left kidneys were removed, fixed, sectioned, processed and stained with Heidenhain' azan staining method. Then, the kidney tissue sections were evaluated using stereological method and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level was also measured. Results: The total weight and volume of kidney, volume of cortex, volume of proximal and distal tubules and volume of their lumen, volume of interstitial tissue, volume of glomeruli, tuft, as well as serum MDA level significantly increased in BPA treated group compared to the controls (P<0.05). These parameters were significantly reduced in BPA plus Nigella sativa oil group compared to BPA ones (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study revealed that Nigella sativa oil can reduce the oxidative stress toxicity induced by BPA in the mice renal tissue

Apoptosis in cultured spinal cord slices of neonatal mouse

Organotypic spinal cord slices from neonatal mammals could be a powerful model for evaluation of cell survival but also cell death mechanisms. The aim of this study was to establish an in vitro model for investigating cell survival and mechanism involved in cell death in neonatal spinal cord slices. The spinal cord was sliced and incubated into culture medium. The MTT assay was carried out to assess the viability of the slices and fluorescent staining was used to study morphological features of apoptosis, where as nucleosomal DNA fragmentation was detected using agarose gel electrophoresis. The results of the present study demonstrated that the slices could be maintained in culture up to 14 days. Both neurons and glial cells died by apoptosis and application of a general caspase inhibitor neither affected slice survival nor nucleosomal DNA fragmentation after 24 h in culture. In addition, the inhibitor failed to block apoptosis in neurons and glial cells in the cultured slices. Our results suggest that in the cultured slices, apoptosis is the main reason for neuron and glial cell death, which occurs by a caspase-independent mechanism

Effect of green tea extract (Camellia sinensis) on kidney toxicity induced by sodium arsenite: a stereological study

Background and Objective: Sodium Arsenite is an environmental pollutant which can generate free radicals causing tissue damage. This study was done to evaluate the effect of Green Tea (GTE), as a strong antioxidant, on kidney tissue in mice treated with Sodium Arsenite. Methods: In this experimental study 24 adult male NMRI mice were randomly allocated into four groups including: control, GTE (100mg/kg/day), Sodium Arsenite (5mg/kg/day) and Sodium Arsenite + GTE, for 34 days, orally. Animals were scarified and left kidney was taken out, fixed, sectioned, processed and stained using Heidenhain'azan method. Using stereological technique the total volume of kidney, volume of cortex, medulla, proximal and distal tubule, renal corpuscle, gelomerelus, tuft and capillary, membrane and space of Bowman's capsule and length of proximal and distal tubule were determined. Creatinine, BUN and MDA serum samples were measured. Results: The mean of total volume of cortex, proximal tubule, distal tubule, renal corpuscle and gelomerolus, taft, Bowman's capsule space, size of epithelium and lumen of proximal and distal tubule were significantly reduced in Sodium Arsenite group compared to control (P<0.05). These parameters were significantly increased in the Sodium Arsenite + GTE group in comparison with Sodium Arsenite group (P<0.05). The creatinine, Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and MDA were significantly increased in the Sodium Arsenite group in compared to the control group (P<0.05). These parameters were significantly reduced in the Sodium Arsenite + GTE group in comparison with Sodium Arsenite group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Green tea has a protective role in Sodium Arsenite induced nephrotoxicity