Role of 5-HT1 receptors of accumbens shell arena upon ACPA-induced anxiolytic-like behaviors in rat

     Cannabinoids induce diverse responses on anxiolytic–like behaviors. Moreover some studies postulated that there is a close relationship between this system and serotonergic system upon cognitive process formation. Thus the aim of present study is investigation the possible role of 5-HT1 receptor on anxiolytic–like behaviors induced by ACPA in the elevated plus maze task (EPM). In the present study rats weighting 250–300g upon surgery bilateral guide cannulae were implanted to allow microinjection of ACPA (agonist CB1 receptor), CP94253 Hcl(agonist 5-HT1 receptor) alone and them interaction in the AcbSh.The data showed pretest AcbSh infusion of ACPA at doses of0.0002, 0.002, 0.02 and 0.2 μg/rat increased and decreased the percentage of open-arms time (%OAT) and percentage of Enclosed-arms time (%CAT), respectively as compared to control groups. Pretest AcbSh infusion ofCP94253 Hcl at doses of 5, 0.5 and 0.05 ng/rat, did not alter anxiety-like behaviors. In addition intra-AcbSh microinjection of subthreshold dose of CP94253 Hcl did not alter ACPA-induced anxiolytic-like behaviors. Our data suggest that activation of AcbSh 5-HT1 receptor did not involve in ACPA-induced behaviors in the EPM task.

Nuclear Factor Kappa-B Protein Levels in Sperm of Obese Men with and without Diabetes; Cellular Approach in Male Infertility

Objective: Although the role of obesity and diabetes mellitus (DM) in male infertility is well established, little informationabout the underlying cellular mechanisms in infertility is available. In this sense, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) hasbeen recognized as an important regulator in obesity and DM; However, its function in the pathogenesis of maleinfertility has never been studied in obese or men who suffer from diabetes. Therefore, the main goal of current researchis assessing NF-kB existence and activity in ejaculated human spermatozoa considering the obesity and diabeticscondition of males. Materials and Methods: In an experimental study, the ELISA technique was applied to analyze NF-kB levels in spermof four experimental groups: non-obese none-diabetic men (body mass index (BMI) 30 kg/m2; OB group; n=30), non-obese diabetic men (BMI 30 kg/m2; OB-DM group; n=30) who were presented to Royan Institute Infertility Center.In addition, protein localization was shown by Immunocytofluorescent assay. Sperm features were also evaluated usingCASA. Results: The diabetic men were older than non-diabetic men regardless of obesity status (P=0.0002). Sperm progressivemotility was affected by obesity (P=0.035) and type A sperm progressive motility was affected by DM (P=0.034). Theconcentration of sperm (P=0.013), motility (P=0.025) and morphology (P<0.0001) were altered by obesity × diabetesinteraction effects. The NF-kB activity was negatively influenced by the main impact of diabetics (P=0.019). Obesitydid not affect (P=0.248) NF-kB activity. Uniquely, NF-kB localized to the midpiece of sperm and post-acrosomal areas. Conclusion: The current study indicated a lower concentration of NF-kB in diabetic men, no effect of obesity on NF-kBwas observed yet. Additionally, we revealed the main obesity and diabetes effects, and their interaction effect adverselyinfluenced sperm characteristics

The Role of Wnt/β-catenin Signaling Pathway in Rat Primordial Germ Cells Reprogramming and Induction into Pluripotent State

 Primordial Germ Cells (PGCs) are unipotent precursors of the gametes. PGCs can give rise to a type of pluripotent stem cells in vitro that are called embryonic germ (EG) cells. PGCs can also acquire such pluripotency in vivo and generate teratomas. Under specific culture conditions, PGCs can be reprogrammed to embryonic germ cells which are capable of expression of key pluripotency markers, such as Pou5f1(Oct4), Sox2 and Nanog. One approach to derive EG cells is manipulation of intracellular signaling pathways that play an important role in the pluripotency induction. Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays major roles in various cell processes such as proliferation, differentiation, migration, survival, apoptosis and pluripotency. For the induction of pluripotency and reprogramming of PGCs into EG cells, Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway should be activated and using small molecules is one of the methods for reaching this objective. Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3), is one of the important molecules of canonical pathway of Wnt/β-catenin which signaling and inhibition of GSK3 by CHIR99021 small molecule, causes the activation of this pathway but it is not sufficient for reprogramming the PGCs into EG cells. In order to efficiently derive EG cells, MAPK signaling pathway should be inhibited simultaneously with Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, using small molecule PD0325901. Thus, the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the simultaneous inhibition of the MAPK pathway, can induce pluripotency in the rat PGCs and their reprogramming into EG cells.