Improved hormonal and oxidative changes by Royal Jelly in the rat model of PCOS: An experimental study

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine and complex metabolic disorder, associated with anovulation, changes in sex hormone, biochemical factors, and ovarian tissue. Royal Jelly (RJ) has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Objective: To examine the therapeutic effect of RJ on PCOS-related hormonal and biochemical changes in a rat model of PCOS. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 42 female Wistar rats (weighing 180–200 gr, aged 10–12 wk) were divided into six groups (n = 7/each): control; PCOS; RJ 100 mg/kg; RJ 200 mg/kg; PCOS + RJ 100 mg/kg; and PCOS + RJ 200 mg/kg. After 21 days, the animals were weighed and dissected. The serums were used for nitric oxide (NO) and ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay and estradiol and progesterone measurements. The ovaries were assessed for histological changes. Results: PCOS increased estradiol and NO levels, and decreased progesterone and FRAP levels. In PCOS + RJ groups, the progesterone (p = 0.01) and FRAP levels (p ≤ 0.001) increased and the estradiol and NO (p ≤ 0.001) levels decreased significantly. Moreover, the number of mature follicles (p = 0.01) and corpus luteum increased (p ≤ 0.001), and ovarian and uterus weight deceased significantly (p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: RJ improved estradiol, progesterone, FRAP, and NO levels, and ovarian structure in the rat model of PCOS. Key words: Royal Jelly, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Ovary, Sex hormone

Low-dose bitter leaf improves sperm quality disrupted in immunosuppressed Wistar rats: An experimental study

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Stem cells and exosomes: as biological agents in the diagnosis and treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

A typical condition of the female reproductive system is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, obesity, and hyperandrogenism are just a few of the metabolic abnormalities linked to this disease. Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease are further issues related to PCOS. One consequence of this syndrome for which numerous treatment procedures have been developed is infertility. Metformin and clomiphene, two common allopathic medications used to treat PCOS, both have drawbacks and are ineffective. It is vital to seek novel therapeutic modalities to address these constraints. Exosomes (EXOs) are a particular class of extracellular vesicles that cells release, and they are known to play a significant role in mediating intercellular communication. A wide range of cargo, including lipids, proteins, mRNA, miRNAs, and numerous other noncoding RNAs, are contained in the nanoscale lipid bilayer exosomes. The cytokine effects of stem cells and EXOs derived from them enable the defense against metabolic diseases like PCOS. Moreover, EXO microRNAs can potentially be employed as biomarkers in the detection and management of PCOS. In this study, the potential of stem cells and exosomes are specifically investigated in the diagnosis and treatment of PCOS as one of the diseases of the female reproductive system

Synergistic Effects of Capsaicin and Quercetin Improved Induced Premature Ovarian Failure in Rat

Objective: Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a heterogeneous disorder. POF is defined as hypergonadotropichypoestrogenism in women under 40 years. There is no effective treatment to cure POF patients. Antioxidants preventovarian damage by reducing the lipid peroxidation cascades affecting folliculogenesis, meiosis and ovulation. Hence;the aim of present study was to investigate the effects of Capsaicin (CAP) and Quercetin (QUR) on cyclophosphamide(CYC)-induced POF in rat model.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, POF was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg CYC onfirst day and then 8 mg/kg/day for the following 3 days. After 4 days of CYC administration, rats were randomly dividedinto five groups (n=6/group) as follows: POF, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), CAP (0.5 mg/kg/day), QUR (100 mg/kg/day)and CAP+QUR. Biochemical, hormonal, gene expression, and histological evaluations were performed on blood serumand tissue samples after 14 days of treatment with the CAP and QUR.Results: CAP, QUR and CAP+QUR groups showed signs of restored ovarian function in the form of a significantincrease in serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), estrogen, progesterone and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) levelsversus POF and DMSO groups and a significant improvement in histological parameters and follicle numbers intreatment groups compared to POF and DMSO groups. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis demonstrated thatCAP and QUR upregulate the expression of BAX gene and decreased the expression of apoptosis inducing genes(BCL-2 and P53).Conclusion: CAP and QUR treatment of CYC-induced POF rats showed a positive effect on reducing ovarian damageby improving TAC levels, expression of apoptotic genes, levels of ovarian reserve markers, and histological parameters.Our results suggest that treatment with CAP or QUR may be a conservative treatment approach for CYC -induced POF

Resveratrol Nanoformulation Inhibits Invasive Breast Cancer Cell Growth through Autophagy Induction: An In Vitro Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to synthesize chitosan nanoparticles (Cs NPs) for resveratrol (RSV) delivery andassess their effectiveness in inducing autophagy in MDA-MB 231 cells.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Pure and RSV-loaded Cs NPs (RSV. Cs NPs) were prepared viathe ionic gelation method, and their physicochemical properties were characterized using standard techniques, andRSV release was measured in vitro. MDA-MB 231 cells were incubated with RSV, Cs NPs, and RSV. Cs NPs andHalf-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were calculated following the MTT test. Cell viability was assessedby lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay, and autophagy was evaluated using the real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR).Results: NP formation was confirmed with the analysis of FTIR spectra. Pure and RSV. Cs NPs had 36.7 and 94.07 nmsizes with 18.3 and 27 mV zeta potentials, respectively. Above 60% of RSV entrapped within NPs was released in aninitial burst manner followed by a gradual release till 72 hours. Cs and RSV. Cs NPs restrained cell proliferation at lowerconcentrations. RSV. Cs NPs showed the highest anticancer effect and stimulated autophagy, indicated by increasedBeclin-1 ATG5, ATG7, LC3A, and P62 expression.Conclusion: RSV. Cs NPs show promising effects in inhibiting invasive breast cancer (BC) cells in vitro by inducingautophagy

Green Synthesized Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles Reinforce Osteogenesis Properties of Bacterial Cellulose Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering Applications: An In Vitro Assessment

Objective: The use of biocompatible scaffolds with appropriate characteristics to treat large bone defects has attractedsignificant attention. The main objective of the current study is to fabricate a 3D nanocomposite structure that containsgreen synthesized magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgONPs) and bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibres, as a bioscaffoldfor bone regeneration.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Camellia sinensis extract was used as the green method tosynthesize MgONPs. The synthesized hydrogels were evaluated for their porosity, morphology, degradation rate,mechanical features, cell attachment, and cytocompatibility. Osteogenic differentiation was assessed by alkalinephosphatase (ALP) activity, real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and alizarin redstaining.Results: MgONPs significantly increased both mechanical strength (P=0.009) and porosity (P=0.01) of the BChydrogels. Human MG-63 osteoblast proliferation significantly increased in the MgONP-BC group compared to thepure BC group (P=0.003). Expression rates of both the ALP (P=0.001) and osteocalcin (OCN) genes were significantlyenhanced in cells seeded on the MgONP-incorporated BC. MG-63 cells had significantly greater calcium depositionand ALP activity (P=0.002) on the MgONP-BC scaffold compared to the BC at day 21.Conclusion: The MgONP-BC scaffold can promote the osteogenic activity of osteoblast-like cells, which indicates itstherapeutic potential for bone tissue regeneration

Isolation and differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells into odontoblast-like cells: a preliminary in vitro study

Objective The aim of present study was to isolate and differentiate human adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) into odontoblast-like cells. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, human adipose tissues were taken from the buccal fat pad of three individuals (mean age: 24.6 ± 2.1 years). The tissues were transferred to a laboratory in a sterile culture medium, divided into small pieces and digested by collagenase I (2 mg/mL, 60-90 minutes). ASCs were isolated by passing the cell suspension through cell strainers (70 and 40 µm), followed by incubation at 37ºC and 5% CO2in Dulbecco’s modified eagle medium (DMEM) supplemented with fetal bovine serum (FBS 5%) and penicillin/streptomycin (P/S). After three passages, the ASCs were harvested. Subsequently, flow cytometry and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to detect expression levels of NANOG and OCT4 to evaluate stemness. Then, a differentiation medium that included high-glucose DMEM supplemented with 10% FBS, dexamethasone (10 nM), sodium β-glycerophosphate (5 mM) and ascorbic acid (100 µM) was added. The cells were cultivated for four weeks, and the odontogenic medium was changed every two days. Cell differentiation was evaluated with Alizarin red staining and expressions of collagen I (COL1A1), dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) and dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP1). Results The ASCs were effectively and easily isolated. They were negative for CD45 and positive for the CD105 and CD73 markers. The ASCs expressed OCT4 and NANOG. Differentiated cells highly expressed DSPP, COL1A1 and DMP1. Alizarin red staining revealed a positive reaction for calcium deposition. Conclusion ASCs were isolated successfully in high numbers from the buccal fat pad of human volunteers and were differentiated into odontoblast-like cells. These ASCs could be considered a new source of cells for use in regenerative endodontic treatments

Growth pattern in 7-12 years old Arak children (central Iran) in comparison with other ethnic subgroups of Iran

Background: growth is a remarkable index of health and can be influenced by genetic and environment conditions. The pattern of growth is unique for every nation and worldwide studies have demonstrated separate national standards. In the case of Iran, there is not enough information in this field. Methods: This study was undertaken on 7-12 years old children from Arak. The data for each individual such as age, height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. Differences in the data between two sexes were tested by means of the paired sample t- test and the mean BMI was compared with sex- and age-specific reference values from the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 2000 growth chart using independent sample t-tests. Levels of P < 0.05, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001 were recorded as significant. Results: In this study, males were significantly taller and heavier than females at the same age (P ≤ 0.01) except for length at age 10 and weight at age 12. The BMI curves were between 50th and 25th percentiles of CDC. Conclusions: The present study shows the effect of socioeconomic background that had been also considered in other studies in Iran. There is a need for ethnic specific growth charts and BMI cut-off points for underweight, overweight and obesity in children of each ethnic subgroup of Iranian population