Glutathione-dependent enzymes in the follicular fluid of the first-retrieved oocyte and their impact on oocyte and embryos in polycystic ovary syndrome: A cross-sectional study

Background: Oxidative stress and GSH-dependent antioxidant system plays a key role in the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Objective: We compared glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase activities and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in serum and follicular fluid (FF) of the first-retrieved follicle and their impact on quality of oocyte and embryo in PCOS women undergoing IVF. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 80 pairs of blood samples and FF of the first-retrieved follicle from PCOS women, at the Infertility center of Ghadir Mother and Child Hospital. The mean activity of GPx and GR, also GSH levels in the serum and FF were compared to the quality of the first follicle and resultant embryo. Results: Retrieved oocytes included 53 (66.25%) MII, 17 (21.25%) MI, and 10 (12.5%) germinal vesicles; after IVF 42 (52.50%) embryos with grade I and 11 (13.75%) with grade II were produced. The mean values for all three antioxidants were higher in the FF compared to serum (p < 0.001). Also all of the mean measured levels were significantly higher in the FF of the MII oocytes compared to that of oocytes with lower grades (p = 0.012, 0.006 and 0.012, respectively). The mean GPX activity and GSH levels were significantly higher in the serum (p = 0.016 and 0.012, respectively) and FF (p = 0.001 for both) of the high-quality grade I embryos. Conclusion: GSH-dependent antioxidant system functions more efficiently in the FF of oocytes and embryos with higher quality. Key words: In vitro fertilization, Glutathione, Antioxidant, Oocyte, Embryo.&nbsp

Redox Imbalance and Reproductive Side Effects of Long and Short Term Nitroglycerin Treatment in Rat Uterus

Background: Bioactivation of nitroglycerin (NTG) leads to the production of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of NTG treatment on the redox homeostasis in rat uterus around the time of implantation and the number of pups.Materials and Methods: The rats in long-term test groups were treated subcutaneously with NTG (15mg/kg BW) and normal saline (1ml/kg B) in control groups for 4 weeks. Afterwards, they were mated and divided into four groups. Two groups were treated until 5 days after mating. Thereafter, they were sacrificed and the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase as well as the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the uterus homogenates were measured. In other two groups, treatments were continued until their pups were counted. In the short-term groups, treatments were started after mating, and all above parameters were measured as similar as long-term groups.Results: Long-term NTG treatment significantly increased MDA level and decreased the GPx activity and the pups number compared to the controls (p<0.05), whereas no marked alteration in the activities of GR and CAT and the levels GSH were observed. However, short-term NTG treated groups showed no significant changes in all the parameters mentioned above as compared with the controls.Conclusion: Long-term NTG treatment, unlike short-term treatment, may cause impaired implantation and infertility, but there is also room for further improvement

Evaluation of Potential Effect of Retinoic Acid on the Differentiation of Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells into the Beta Cells and Insulin

Background & Objective: Mesanchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from a variety of human adult tissues and potentiate to self-replicate and differentiate into different cell types. Retinoic acid (RA) is important in embryonic development of pancreas. The effect of RA on transdifferentiation of rat bone marrow mesanchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) into the beta cells was studied. Materials & methods: Rat BMMSCs were prepared by flashing method and confirmed by evaluating of BMMSCs surface markers. BMMSCs were treated in four groups by: 1) rat pancreatic extract (RPE) (250µg/ml) 2) RPE (250µg/ml) + RA (10µM), 3) no treated group as control and 4) ethanol 10% as vehicle and RA(10µM) as control. Insulin secretion was evaluated by ELISA assay. Insulin expression (RT-PCR) were determined. Results: RT-PCR results showed that insulin expression in RPE and RPE + RA groups. Insulin releasing in group RPE + RA was significantly more than group 1, (p-value < 0.05), Wilcoxon test.. Conclusion: Our study showed that RA can promote differentiation of the BMMSCs into the insulin producing cells invitro

Protective Effects of Vitamin E and/or Quercetin Co-Supplementation on the Morphology of Kidney in Cyclosporine A-Treated Rats

Background: Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a nephrotoxic immunosuppressivedrug. Antioxidants might attenuate its toxicity. Inthe present study, the effects of vitamin E and quercetin on themorphology of kidney in CsA-treated rats were investigated.Methods: Six groups of rats were used in this gavage feedingstudy either for 4 or 8 weeks. Groups 1 and 2 received eitherolive oil or 25% ethanol in olive oil per day. Group 3 receivedCsA (25 mg/kg/day) in olive oil. All other groups received CsAplus the following: group 4, vitamin E (100 mg/kg/day) in oliveoil; group 5, quercetin (15 mg/kg/day) in 25% ethanol in oliveoil; and group 6, vitamin E plus quercetin. In the final day of thestudy, the animals were sacrificed and kidney sections were preparedfor morphologic studies using light microscopy.Results: Acute morphologic alterations induced by CsA in thekidney tubules included isometric vacuolization, brush borderloss, microcalcification, and presence of inclusion bodies. Smoothmuscle degeneration and necrosis were developed in arterioles.Treatment with vitamin E plus quercetin prevented severe,moderate, and mild abnormalities of the tubules. However fibrosiswas the only microscopic change of the interstitium thatwas not present in animals treated with vitamin E plusquercetin after both periods.Some mild morphological changes of the blood vesselssuch as arteriolar medial smooth muscle degeneration and necrosis,arteriolar myocyte dropout and arteriolar wall hyalinizationcaused by CsA disappeared with administration of vitaminE, quercetin or vitamin E plus quercetin in both periods.Conclusion: Co-administration of vitamin E plus quercetinwith CsA in renal transplant patients may be beneficial inreducing the nephrotoxic effects of CsA