Augmented oxidative stress and reduced mitochondrial function in ageing goat testis

Melatonin as a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant therapy in the testis: a focus on infertility and aging†

Melatonin is a pineal hormone that regulates testicular activity (i.e., steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis) through two complementary mechanisms, indirect effects exerted via the hypothalamic-adenohypophyseal axis and direct actions that take place on the different cell populations of the male gonad. The effects of increased age on the testis and the general mechanisms involved in testicular pathology leading to infertility are still only poorly understood. However, there is growing evidence that link testicular aging and idiopathic male infertility to local inflammatory and oxidative stress events. Because literature data strongly indicate that melatonin exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, this review focuses on the potential benefits exerted by this indoleamine at testicular level in male reproductive fertility and aging. Taking into account that the effects of melatonin supplementation on testicular function are currently being investigated, the overview covers not only promising prospects but also many questions concerning the future therapeutic value of this indoleamine as an anti-aging drug as well as in the management of cases of male infertility for which there are no medical treatments currently available.

Evaluate the in vitro effect of anthracycline and alkylating cytophosphane chemotherapeutics on dopaminergic neurons

BACKGROUND

Iatrogenesis is an inevitable global threat to healthcare that drastically increases morbidity and mortality. Cancer is a fatal pathological condition that affects people of different ages, sexes, and races around the world. In addition to the detrimental cancer pathology, one of the most common contraindications and challenges observed in cancer patients is severe adverse drug effects and hypersensitivity reactions induced by chemotherapy. Chemotherapy-induced cognitive neurotoxicity is clinically referred to as Chemotherapy-induced cognitive impairment (CICI), chemobrain, or chemofog. In addition to CICI, chemotherapy also causes neuropsychiatric issues, mental disorders, hyperarousal states, and movement disorders. A synergistic chemotherapy regimen of Doxorubicin (Anthracycline-DOX) and Cyclophosphamide (Alkylating Cytophosphane-CPS) is indicated for the management of various cancers (breast cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia). Nevertheless, there are limited research studies on Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide's pharmacodynamic and toxicological effects on dopaminergic neuronal function.

AIM

This study evaluated the dopaminergic neurotoxic effects of Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide were incubated with dopaminergic (N27) neurons. Neuronal viability was assessed using an MTT assay. The effect of Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide on various prooxidants, antioxidants, mitochondrial Complex-I & IV activities, and BAX expression were evaluated by Spectroscopic, Fluorometric, and RT-PCR methods, respectively. Prism-V software (La Jolla, CA, USA) was used for statistical analysis. Chemotherapeutics dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of the dopaminergic neurons. The dopaminergic neurotoxic mechanism of Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide was attributed to a significant increase in prooxidants, a decrease in antioxidants, and augmented apoptosis without affecting mitochondrial function.

CONCLUSION

This is one of the first reports that reveal Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide induce significant dopaminergic neurotoxicity. Thus, Chemotherapy-induced adverse drug reaction issues substantially persist during and after treatment and sometimes never be completely resolved clinically. Consequently, failure to adopt adequate patient care measures for cancer patients treated with certain chemotherapeutics might substantially raise the incidence of numerous movement disorders.

An Overview on Assay Methods to Quantify ROS and Enzymatic Antioxidants in Erythrocytes and Spermatozoa of Small Domestic Ruminants

The present review aims to provide an overview of the assay methods for the quantification of ROS and principal enzymatic antioxidants as biomarkers of oxidative stress in erythrocytes and spermatozoa of small domestic ruminants. A complete literature search was carried out in PubMed, Scopus and the World Wide Web using relevant keywords and focusing on the last five years (2018-2023). Among spectrophotometry, fluorometry and chemiluminescence, the most widely used method for ROS assay is fluorometry, probably because it allows to simultaneously assay several ROS, using different probes, with greater economic advantages. Regarding intracellular antioxidant enzymes, recent literature reports only spectrophotometric methods, many of which use commercial kits. The use of a less sensitive but cheapest method is suitable because both erythrocytes and spermatozoa samples are highly concentrated in domestic ruminant species. All methods considered in this review have been found to be appropriate; in general, the differences are related to their costs and sensitivity. Quantification of ROS and enzymatic antioxidant activity in erythrocytes and spermatozoa may find application in the study of the welfare and health status of small domestic ruminants for monitoring livestock production.

Cardioprotective Effects of Oroxylum indicum Extract Against Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide-Induced Cardiotoxicity

Administration of Chemotherapeutics, especially doxorubicin (DOX) and cyclophosphamide (CPS), is commonly associated with adverse effects such as myelosuppression and cardiotoxicity. At this time, few approved therapeutic options are currently available for the management of chemotherapy-associated cardiotoxicity. Thus, identification of novel therapeutics with potent cardioprotective properties and minimal adverse effects are pertinent in treating Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide-induced cardiotoxicity. Oroxylum indicum extract (OIE, Sabroxy®) is a natural product known to possess several beneficial biological functions including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective effects. We therefore set to investigate the cardioprotective effects of OIE against Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide-induced cardiotoxicity and explore the potential cardioprotective mechanisms involved. Adult male mice were treated with DOX and CPS in combination, OIE alone, or a combination of OIE and DOX & CPS. Swimming test was performed to assess cardiac function. Markers of oxidative stress were assessed by levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitrite, hydrogen peroxide, catalase, and glutathione content. The activity of interleukin converting enzyme and cyclooxygenase was determined as markers of inflammation. Mitochondrial function was assessed by measuring Complex-I activity. Apoptosis was assessed by Caspase-3 and protease activity. Mice treated with DOX and CPS exhibited reduced swim rate, increased oxidative stress, increased inflammation, and apoptosis in the heart tissue. These cardiotoxic effects were significantly reduced by co-administration of OIE. Furthermore, computational molecular docking studies revealed potential binding of DOX and CPS to tyrosine hydroxylase which validated our in vivo findings regarding the inhibition of tyrosine hydroxylase activity. Our current findings indicated that OIE counteracts Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide-induced cardiotoxicity-through inhibition of ROS-mediated apoptosis and by blocking the effect on tyrosine hydroxylase. Taken together, our findings suggested that OIE possesses cardioprotective effects to counteract potentially fatal cardiac complications associated with chemotherapy treatment.

Cordycepin, a major bioactive component of Cordyceps militaris, ameliorates diabetes-induced testicular damage through the Sirt1/Foxo3a pathway

Diabetes-induced male dysfunction is considered as a worldwide challenge, and testicular damage mainly caused by oxidative stress is its most common manifestation. Cordycepin, a natural antioxidant, has been used in the treatment of diabetic complications. However, the protective action and underlying mechanism of cordycepin on hyperglycaemia-induced testicular damage are unclear. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and molecular mechanisms of cordycepin against diabetes-induced testicular damage. The type 2 diabetes model was established in C57BL/6 male mice via high-fat diet for 4 weeks and injected intraperitoneally with 50 mg/kg/day streptozotocin for five consecutive days. Then mice were treated with cordycepin (10 and 20 mg/kg, respectively) for 8 weeks. At the end of experiment, biochemical indicators, microstructure of testicular tissue, sperm morphology, TUNEL staining and protein expressions were evaluated. In the present study, cordycepin alleviated the testicular damage, restored disruption of the blood-testis barrier, and improved spermatogenic function via the antiapoptotic and antioxidant capacity. Mechanistically, cordycepin significantly enhanced SIRT1 expression and triggered the activity of Foxo3a, further to induce the expression of its downstream antioxidant enzymes, including Mn-SOD and CAT. These findings indicated that cordycepin could improve hyperglycaemia-induced testicular damage by regulating downstream antioxidant enzymes activity through the SIRT1/Foxo3a signalling pathway.

Augmented oxidative stress and reduced mitochondrial function in ageing goat testis

Recently, there is a significant increase in the commercial use of goat products. Nevertheless, there are very few reports on the characterization of redox biomarkers and mitochondrial function in the goat testis. Therefore, in this study we studied the markers of oxidative stress and mitochondrial functions in the goat testis during the process of ageing. Alterations in the markers of oxidative stress/redox biomarkers (contents of reactive oxygen species, nitrite, lipid peroxide, protein carbonyl, glutathione and activities of glutathione peroxidase, monoamine oxidase) and mitochondrial function (Complex‐I and Complex‐IV activities) were elucidated during the process of ageing. Augmented oxidative stress and decreased mitochondrial function were prominent during ageing in the goat testis. Ageing can lead to induction of oxidative stress and decreased production of ATP; however, the prooxidants generated must be effectively removed from the body by the innate antioxidant defence system to minimize the damage to the host tissue. Conversely, the antioxidants cannot completely scavenge the excessive amount of reactive oxygen species produced during ageing or pathological conditions leading to significant cell death and tissue damage. Thus, the use of effective and potent antioxidants in the feed could significantly reduce oxidative stress and improve mitochondrial function, resulting in enriched goat health.