N-Acetylcysteine May Regulate Altered Meteorin-Like Levels in Testicular Tissue due to Aluminum Exposure

N-Acetylcysteine assists muscle development in offspring of mice subjected to maternal heat stress during pregnancy

BACKGROUND

Heat stress (HS) has been shown to affect reproductive performance and muscle development negatively in animals. N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) plays a pivotal role in enhancing the antioxidant performance in animals as a recognized antioxidant. The present study assesses the potential of NAC to modulate the reproductive performance and antioxidant function in pregnant mice exposed to HS. The role of NAC in muscle development of offspring mice was also explored.

RESULTS

The results showed that NAC supplementation from day 12 to day 18 of gestation increased the number of litters and enhanced the antioxidant function in pregnant mice under HS exposure. It improved the weight and body condition significantly in the offspring mice (P < 0.05). The alleviation of HS-induced muscle impairment with NAC was consistent with the alleviation of apoptosis, the enrichment of the proliferation and differentiation in the offspring mice muscle. N-Acetylcysteine also reversed HS-induced reduction in the cross-sectional area of the leg muscle and increased the proportion of myosin heavy chain IIx (MYHCIIx) in the muscle fiber.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study support the use of NAC at a dose of 100 mg kg-1 body weight as supplement for protecting the offspring derived from pregnant mice exposed to HS from muscle impairment by accelerating proliferation and differentiation. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Linalool may have a therapeutic effect on cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity by regulating NF-κB/TNF and GRP78/CHOP signaling pathways

Cadmium (Cd) is an environmental pollutant heavy metal with nephrotoxic effect. One of the primary constituents of essential oils is Linalool (Lin), a monoterpene having a variety of pharmacological properties including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. The purpose of this study was to ascertain how Lin affected endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and pro-inflammatory mediators in Cd-induced nephrotoxicity. In the experiment, 28 male rats were randomly divided into four equal groups as control (no application), Cd (Cd at a dose of 3 mg/kg for the first 7 days), Cd+Lin (Cd at a dose of 3 mg/kg for the first 7 days and 100 mg/kg/day Lin) and Lin (100 mg/kg/day Lin) (n=7). The experiment was completed on the 15th day after all treatments were performed. Blood serum and kidney tissue samples were used for analyses. Cd-induced histopathological changes, inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis were determined to increase in kidney tissue. However, it was observed that Cd-induced adverse effects in kidney tissue were mainly eliminated by Lin treatment. In conclusion, Lin demonstrated anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic effects in Cd-induced nephrotoxicity. Therefore, we believe that Lin may represent a high potential therapeutic strategy against renal tissue damage.

The Effect of Thymoquinone on the TNF-α/OTULIN/NF-κB Axis Against Cisplatin-İnduced Testicular Tissue Damage

One of the adverse effects of the antineoplastic drug cisplatin (CS) is damage to testicular tissue. This study aimed to examine the potential therapeutic effect of thymoquinone (TQ), a strong antioxidant, against testicular damage caused by CS. In the experiment, 28 rats were used, and the rats were randomly divided into four groups: control (n = 7), CS (n = 7), CS + TQ (n = 7), and TQ (n = 7). The experiment was called off after all treatments were finished on day 15. Blood serum and testicular tissues were utilized for biochemical, histological, immunohistochemical, mRNA expression, and gene protein investigations. The testosterone level decreased and oxidative stress, histopathological damage, dysregulation in mitochondrial dynamics, inflammation and apoptotic cells increased in testicular tissue due to CS administration. TQ supplementation showed anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects in response to CS-induced testicular damage. In addition, TQ contributed to the reduction of CS-induced toxic effects by regulating the TNF-α/OTULIN/NF-κB pathway. TQ supplementation may be a potential therapeutic strategy against CS-induced testicular damage by regulating the TNF-α/OTULIN/NF-κB axis, inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis.

Therapeutic potential of the linalool against cadmium-induced testicular tissue damage

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that has harmful effects and is one of the contaminants found in the environment. Cd exposure causes important pathophysiological processes, such as reproductive toxicity. Linalool (Lnl) is a monoterpene, a component of essential oils known to be produced synthetically. Additionally, Lnl has many important beneficial effects, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The objective of this study is to determine whether Lnl has a healing impact in opposition to testicular tissue damage due to Cd exposure. In the study, 28 male rats were divided at random into four equal groups (n = 7). No treatment was applied to the control group. CdCl2 was applied intraperitoneally to the Cd group at a dose of 3 mg/kg for the first 7 days of the trial. For the Cd + Lnl group, 3 mg/kg CdCl2 was applied intraperitoneally for the first 7 days of the trial, and 100 mg/kg/day Lnl was applied. Upon completion of all applications, the rats were sacrificed and blood samples and testicular tissue were taken. Cd exposure caused histopathological changes, oxidative stress, inflammation, and an increase in apoptotic cells in testicular tissue. However, Cd altered endocrine hormones in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis. However, Lnl application against Cd exposure was able to regulate the negativity caused by Cd in both testicular tissue and endocrine hormone levels. In conclusion, Lnl may be a potential therapeutic strategy against Cd-induced reproductive toxicity. We believe that Lnl has a high potential for further studies to determine its detailed mechanisms of action and cellular signaling pathways.

Effect of Sempervivum tectorum Extract on Some Biomarkers of Reproductive Function and Levels of Some Trace Elements in Male Rats Exposed to Aluminum

Aluminum, a contentious trace element found in the environment, has been demonstrated to have harmful effects on both humans and animals. In contrast, Sempervivum tectorum, an evergreen plant, has been found to offer numerous beneficial effects for both humans and animals. Therefore, this study aims to assess the protective effect of S. tectorum on certain reproductive biomarkers in male rats exposed to aluminum. Thirty-five Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: NTC (no-treatment control) received distilled water; NC (negative control) received drinking water containing 1 mg/L aluminum sulfate (AS); E1 received 1 mg/L AS along with an 8% S. tectorum extract; PC (positive control) received only 8% S. tectorum extract; E2 received 1 mg/L AS for three months followed by 8% extract for one month. The study analyzed testosterone, LH, FSH, body weight, and the histological structure of the testis, epididymis, and prostate, as well as the levels of zinc, manganese, copper, and iron in these organs. Significant decreases in body weight, testis, and epididymis size were observed in the aluminum-exposed groups compared to the control, whereas these decreases were not significant in the S. tectorum-treated groups compared to the control. Aluminum exposure led to significant decreases in testosterone and LH levels, with FSH levels showing a nonsignificant decrease in males, which were mitigated significantly by the administration of the plant extract. Histological analysis revealed alterations in the testis, epididymis, and prostate of the AS-exposed groups, including necrosis of seminiferous tubule epithelium and Leydig cells in the testis, and basal epithelial necrosis in the epididymis and prostate. Aluminum levels increased in all organs studied, while levels of zinc, copper, iron, and manganese decreased, showing a negative and significant correlation with aluminum levels. The aqueous extract of S. tectorum demonstrated a protective effect on certain studied biomarkers in male rats affected by aluminum exposure.

Mechanism and impact of heavy metal-aluminum (Al) toxicity on male reproduction: Therapeutic approaches with some phytochemicals

Heavy metals are ubiquitous environmental toxicants that have been known to have a serious effect on human and animal health. Aluminum (Al) is a widely distributed metal in nature. Al exposure has a detrimental impact on human fertility. This review focused on Al-induced male reproductive toxicity and the potential therapeutic approaches with some phytochemicals. Data from the literature showed that Al exposure is accompanied by a drastic decline in blood levels of FSH, LH, and testosterone, reduced sperm count, and affected sperm quality. Al exposure at high levels can cause oxidative stress by increasing ROS and RNS production, mediated mainly by downregulating Nrf2 signaling. Moreover, several investigations demonstrated that Al exposure evoked inflammation, evidenced by increased TNF-α and IL-6 levels. Additionally, substantial evidence concluded the key role of apoptosis in Al-induced testicular toxicity mediated by upregulating caspase-3 and downregulating Bcl2 protein. The damaging effects of Al on mitochondrial bioenergetics are thought to be due to the excessive generation of free radicals. This review helps to clarify the main mechanism involved in Al-associated testicular intoxication and the treatment strategy to attenuate the notable harmful effects on the male reproductive system. It will encourage clinical efforts to target the pathway involved in Al-associated testicular intoxication.

Resveratrol may dose-dependently modulate nephrin and OTULIN levels in a doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity model

One of the most important side effects of Doxorubicin (DOX), a chemotherapeutic agent, is nephrotoxicity. The purpose of this study is to determine whether different doses of natural polyphenol Resveratrol (RSV) show antioxidative, anti-inflammatory or antiapoptotic effects in kidney tissue in DOX-induced nephrotoxicity and to detect how nephrin and OTULIN levels are affected in this process. A total of six equal groups made up of the 42 Sprague-Dawley rats utilized in the study (n = 7) were randomly assigned. Except for the control group (no treatment), all treatments were given intraperitoneally to the DOX (15 mg/kg), DOX + RSV I (15 mg/kg DOX+ 1 mg/kg/day RSV), DOX + RSV II (15 mg/kg DOX+ 5 mg/kg/day RSV), RSV I and RSV II groups. Kidney tissues taken from rats sacrificed on the fifteenth day were analyzed biochemically, histologically and immunohistochemically. Accordingly, it was determined that nephrin and OTULIN levels decreased in kidney tissue in DOX-induced nephrotoxicity. Furthermore, DOX caused oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, as well as histopathological changes in kidney tissue. However, it was observed that DOX-induced changes were regulated by RSV application. RSV was demonstrated to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties in dose-dependent DOX-induced nephrotoxicity. RSV may exert nephroprotective effects by modulating DOX-induced altered nephrin and OTULIN levels.

In an experimental myocardial infarction model, L-arginine pre-intervention may exert cardioprotective effects by regulating OTULIN levels and mitochondrial dynamics

The experimental myocardial infarction (MI) model originating from isoproterenol (ISO) is frequently preferred in research due to its similarity to MI-induced damage in humans. Beneficial effects of L-arginine (L-Arg), a semi-essential amino acid, in cardiovascular diseases have been shown in many studies. This study was carried out to determine whether L-Arg pre-intervention has protective effects on heart tissue in the experimental MI model. The 28 rats used in the study were randomly divided into 4 equal groups: control, L-Arg, ISO, and L-Arg+ISO. Upon completion of all applications, cardiac markers in serum and biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical examinations in cardiac tissues were performed. Cardiac markers, histopathological changes, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis were increased in the experimental MI model. In addition, administration of ISO deregulated OTULIN levels and mitochondrial dynamics in heart tissue. However, L-Arg pre-intervention showed a significant protective effect against changes in ISO-induced MI. L-Arg supplementation with cardioprotective effect may reduce the risks of possible pathophysiological processes in MI.

N-Acetylcysteine may exert hepatoprotective effect by regulating Meteorin-Like levels in Adriamycin-induced liver injury

Adriamycin (ADR) is an important chemotherapeutic drug, but it has serious side effects such as hepatotoxicity. This study aimed to evaluate whether N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has hepatoprotective effects against ADR-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. In addition, it was aimed to determine how Meteorin-Like (MtrnL), which has pleiotropic effects on immunology, inflammation, and metabolism, is affected by ADR and/or NAC applications in liver tissue. 28 rats were randomly assigned to one of four equal groups in the study: control (no treatment), NAC (150 mg/kg/day of NAC intraperitoneally (i.p), ADR (15 mg/kg only on the first day of the experiment), and ADR + NAC (ADR 15 mg/kg on the first day of the experiment + 150 mg/kg/day NAC i.p). After 15 days, liver enzyme levels in serum, oxidant/antioxidant parameters in liver tissue, histopathological changes, caspase 3 (Casp3) and heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) immunoreactivities, and MtrnL levels were examined. Histopathological changes, liver enzyme levels, as well as HSP-70, and Casp3 immunoreactivities increased due to ADR application. Additionally, MtrnL levels in liver tissue were significantly increased as a result of ADR application. However, it was detected that the NAC application significantly regulated the ADR-induced changes. Furthermore, it was determined that NAC administration regulated the changes in ADR-induced oxidative stress parameters. We propose that NAC may exert a hepatoprotective effect by regulating ADR-induced altered oxidative stress parameters, MtrnL levels, Casp3, and HSP-70 immunoreactivities in the liver.