Effects of tocotrienols on sperm parameters, testes weight and ultrastructure in Sprague Dawley rats

Vitamin E is divided equally into 2 families, tocopherols and tocotrienols. Being an antioxidant, vitamin E has been reported to improve disorders related to oxidative damage in many organ systems. Sources of vitamin E can be found in many foods including palm oil which is rich in tocotrienols. Studies on the effects of vitamin E on male fertility have shown encouraging results. This study was conducted to observe the effects of feeding tocotrienols from palm oil to male Sprague-Dawley rats on sperm parameters, testes weight and sperm ultrastructure. Blood nitric oxide (NO) levels were also measured. Thirty-five rats were separated equally into 5 groups: initial group (sacrificed before experiment for base line values), control group (fed commercial pellets only), vehiclegroup (palm oil), low dose and high dose of tocotrienol treatment groups. The four groups were sacrificed at the end of the six weeks experiment and sperm parameters (motility, viability and count) were measured while sperm ultrastructure was observed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cardiac blood was taken for NO analysis. Testes were also weighed. At high dose, it is found that sperm parameters increased significantly (p<0.05) but there was no significant change in NO readings. Testes weight does not show any changes while TEM showed lowered mitochondrial cristae distortion in both treatment groups. High dose of tocotrienol increase sperm parameters suggesting that the mechanism for better male fertility is related to better cristae membrane integrityin sperm

Evaluating of high fructose diet to induce hyperglycemia and its inflammatory complication in rats.

It has been reported that a diet enriched in fructose would present animal models used to emulate diabetes mellitus type 2 in human. This study aimed to examine the effect of high fructose induction on the blood glucose, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, interleukin-4 and body weight among high fructose diet-induced rats. The HFD was induced through drinking water in 21% (w/v) concentration among male Sprague-Dawley rats. The high fructose diet administration was unable to induce hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia or any classic inflammatory markers. Also, no histological inflammation was observed. It was concluded that healthy Sprague-Dawley rats fed high fructose diet for 2.5 months could not develop signs of diabetes mellitus type 2

The comparative effects between tocotrieonol-rich fraction (TRF) and α-tocopherol on glutamate toxicity in neuron-astrocyte mono- and co-culture systems

Background: Vitamin E, which can be categorized into tocotrienols and tocopherols, is known to protect cells from glutamate neurotoxicity. Studies have shown that tocotrienol-rich fraction (TRF) protecting the brain against oxidative damage more efficient than α-tocopherol. The role of astrocyte in promoting neuronal survival and recovery after glutamate neurotoxicity is also increasingly appreciated. Aims: To elucidate the effects of TRF and α-tocopherol and the synergism between astrocyte and neuron against glutamate neurotoxicity. Methods: Astrocyte and neuron were subjected to glutamate injury followed by TRF and α-tocopherol treatments (100 – 300 ng/ml). Effects of TRF and α-tocopherol on nerve cell viability and glutathione contents against glutamate toxicity were examined. The synergism between astrocyte and neuron was elucidated through co-culture model. Statistical analysis was performed using one way ANOVA. Results: Both TRF and α-tocopherol improved approximately 10% of glutamate-injured astrocyte and neuronal cell viability. In co-culture model, TRF and α-tocopherol provided nearly complete protection from glutamate toxicity. Besides, TRF and α-tocopherol treatments significantly restored at least 20% of glutathione contents in glutamate-injured neurons. In the presence of astrocyte, 300 ng/ml TRF and α-tocopherol completely restored glutathione contents in glutamate-injured neuron. Conclusions: TRF and α-tocopherol had shown promising neuroprotective effects in astrocyte and neuron from glutamate toxicity. Great scavenging effect of both TRF and α-tocopherol against glutamate toxicity was observed in neuron. Similar protective effects between TRF and α-tocopherol were observed. Co-culture model demonstrated the synergistic properties between neuron and astrocyte. Supplementation of TRF and α-tocopherol in co-culture further improved the recovery process

Effect of tocotrienol rich fraction (TRF) on muscles reinnervation after sciatic nerve crush injury in rats

Introduction: Muscle denervation is a process where muscles lose nerve supply due to neural damage and this may lead to paralysis in human. Muscle denervation is mainly caused by peripheral nerve injuries especially in the lower extremities that resulted in devastating effect on human daily functions and routines. Tocotrienol Rich Fraction (TRF) consist of 75% of tocotrienols have shown potential neuroprotective properties. The objective of this study is to observe motor coordination and histological characteristics on muscles that underwent sciatic nerve crush injury and supplemented with TRF. Methods: A total of 104 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups; normal group (n=8) with no sciatic nerve crush injury, negative control (n=32) with sciatic nerve crush injury at hindlimb without treatment, positive control (n=32) sciatic nerve crush injury treated with 500 μg/kg/day of methylcobalamin, and experimental group (n=32) of rats that underwent sciatic nerve crush injury and treated with 200 mg/kg/day of TRF. Result: Skeletal muscles which located at hind limb; Soleus Muscle and Extenstor Digitorum Longus Muscle (EDL) muscle have shown an increasing in weight when it is supplemented with TRF 200 mg/kg/day and improved myelin layer of nerve. Conclusion: This study showed that TRF has the potency to improve reinnervation rate and neuron supply in hind muscle

Homocysteine and malondialdeyde (MDA) levels associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in chronic renal failure (CRF) in Malaysia.

Introduction: Atherosclerosis and following cardiovascular disease (CVD) are known as important reasons of the increased morbidity and mortality observed in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). The association of serum malondialdehyde (MDA), homocysteine as well as other cardiovascular risk factors in relation to existence and cause of CVD were investigated. Methods: In these study 66 CRF patients without dialysis and 107 patients receiving dialysis were recruited and further stratified into group with CVD and without CVD as case groups. Those without renal failure and CVD were assigned as control group (n=33). Results: The patients with CRF showed a significant increase in plasma levels of MDA, homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP) compared to control. The positive association were observed between homocysteine, creatinine and MDA (all p<0.01) and another positive association were between CRP and age, creatinine and MDA (all p<0.05). Analysis of association risk factors showed that only age, CRP and lipid profile had significant association with CVD events. Conclusion: The results demonstrated elevation in plasma values of MDA, homocysteine and CRP in patients with CRF, with or without CVD. However, these modifications may be lead to atherosclerosis and consequence CVD event. These parameters may be important with respect to the high morbidity and mortality of CVD found in patients with CRF

Reduction of aflatoxin level in aflatoxin-induced rats by the activity of probiotic Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota.

Aims: Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is considered as the most toxic food contaminant, and microorganisms, especially bacteria, have been studied for their potential to reduce the bioavailability of mycotoxins including aflatoxins. Therefore, this research investigated the efficacy of oral administration of Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) in aflatoxin-induced rats. Methods and Results: Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups of untreated control, the group induced with AFB1 only, and the group given probiotic in addition to AFB1. In the group induced with AFB1 only, food intake and body weight were reduced significantly. The liver and kidney enzymes were significantly enhanced in both groups induced with AFB1, but they were lower in the group given LcS. AFB1 was detected from all serum samples except for untreated control group's samples. Blood serum level of AFB1 in the group induced with AFB1 only was significantly higher than the group which received probiotic as a treatment (P < 0·05), and there was no significant difference between the control group and the group treated with probiotic. Conclusions: LcS supplementation could improve the adverse effect of AFB1 induction on rats' body weight, plasma biochemical parameters and also could reduce the level of AFB1 in blood serum. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study's outcomes contribute to better understanding of the potential of probiotic to reduce the bioavailability ofAFB1. Moreover, it can open an opportunity for future investigations to study the efficacy of oral supplementation of probiotic LcS in reducing aflatoxin level in human

Assessment of differences on inflammatory and metabolic indicators between pre- and post-menopause women among hypertensive and/or diabetic patients

To assess the differences on inflammatory and metabolic indicators between pre-menopause and post-menopause women among hypertensive and/or diabetic type-2 women. A total of 236 obese women included in the study have chosen from Primary Health Care Centers in Gaza City, Palestine, through a cross-sectional study. Selection depended on health status hypertensive and/or diabetic type-2 (HT, T2DM, HT+T2DM). In HT group, post-menopause women had significant higher values than pre-menopause women on TC (200±47 vs. 172.5±55 mg dL–1, p<0.01) and TG (166±89 vs. 120.5±82 mg dL–1, p<0.01). In T2DM group, post-menopause women had significant higher values than pre-menopause women on SBP (132±24 vs. 120±20 mm Hg, p<0.01), TC (213±40 vs. 185±46 mg dL–1, p<0.05) and TG (196±118 vs. 136±64 mg dL–1, p<0.05). Finally, in HT+T2DM group, post-menopause women had significant higher value than pre-menopause women on SBP (144±21 vs. 133±14 mmHg, p<0.05), TC (214±54 vs. 181±55 mg dL–1, p<0.05), TG (231±83 vs. 158±85 mg dL–1, p<0.05), IL-6 (2.32±1.34 vs. 1.71±1.45 pg mL–1, p<0.05) and BMI (36.48±7.1 vs. 32.18±5.6 kg m‾ 2, p<0.05). Post-menopause women diseased of HT and T2DM accompanied with higher rates of BMI are at risk for developing inflammatory and metabolic morbidities

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: a review of initiators and protective factors

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a collective term comprising of a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. These diseases are the largest cause of morbidity and premature death worldwide. Coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease (stroke) are the most frequently occurring diseases. The two major initiators involved in the development of atherosclerotic CVD are vascular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid oxidation. In atherosclerosis development, ROS is associated with rapid loss of anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic activities of the endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO·) resulting in endothelial dysfunction. In part involving activation of the transcription factor NF-κB, ROS have been involved in signaling cascades leading to vascular pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic gene expression. ROS is also a potent activator of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which indicate plaque destabilization and rupture. The second initiator involved in atherosclerotic CVD is the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL). Oxidation of LDL in vessel wall leads to an inflammatory cascade that activates atherogenic pathway leading to foam cell formation. The accumulation of foam cells leads to fatty streak formation, which is the earliest visible atherosclerotic lesion. In contrast, the cardiac sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA2a) and hepatic apolipoprotein E (apoE) expression can improve cardiovascular function. SERCA2a regulates the cardiac contractile function by lowering cytoplasmic calcium levels during relaxation, and affecting NO· action in vascular cells, while apoE is a critical ligand in the plasma clearance of triglyceride- and cholesterol-rich lipoproteins

Isolation of a quinone-rich fraction from Ardisia crispa roots and its attenuating effects on murine skin tumorigenesis

Ardisia crispa (Family: Myrsinaceae) is an evergreen, fruiting shrub that has been traditionally used as folklore medicine. Despite a scarcity of research publications, we have succeeded in showing suppressive effects on murine skin papillomagenesis. In extension, the present research was aimed at determining the effect of a quinone-rich fraction (QRF) isolated from the same root hexane extract on both initiation and promotion stages of carcinogenesis, at the selected dose of 30 mg/kg. Mice (groups I-IV) were initiated with a single dose of 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA, 100 μg/100 μl) followed by repeated promotion of croton oil (1%) twice weekly for 20 weeks. In addition, group I (anti-initiation) received QRF 7 days before and after DMBA; group II (anti-promotion) received QRF 30 minutes before each croton oil application; group III (anti-initiation/ promotion) was treated with QRF as a combination of group I and II. A further two groups served as vehicle control (group V) and treated control (group VI). As carcinogen control, group IV showed the highest tumor volume (8.79±5.44) and tumor burden (3.60±1.17). Comparatively, group III revealed only 20% of tumor incidence, tumor burden (3.00±1.00) and tumor volume (2.40±1.12), which were significantly different from group IV. Group II also showed significant reduction of tumor volume (3.11), tumor burden (3.00) and tumor incidence (11.11%), along with prominent increase of latency period of tumor formation (week 12). Group I, nonetheless, demonstrated marked increment of tumor incidence by 40% with prompted latency period of tumor formation (week 7). No tumor formation was observed in groups V and VI. This study provided clear evidence of inhibitory effects of QRF during promotion period which was in agreement with our previous findings. The mechanism(s) underlying such effects have yet to be elucidated