Fluoride-induced testicular degeneration and sperm quality deteriorations: Salutary role of Cyperus esculentus tubers (tiger nut) extract in animal model

Necessity to Pay Attention to the Effects of Low Fluoride on Human Health: an Overview of Skeletal and Non-skeletal Damages in Epidemiologic Investigations and Laboratory Studies

Due to the implementation of water improvement and fluoride reduction plans supported by central and local governments in recent years, areas with high fluoride exposure are being gradually decreased. Therefore, it is of practical importance to study the effect of low fluoride on human health. Epidemiologic investigations and in vivo and in vitro studies based on low fluoride have also confirmed that fluoride not only causes skeletal damage, such as dental fluorosis, but also causes non-skeletal damage involving the cardiovascular system, nervous system, hepatic and renal function, reproductive system, thyroid function, blood glucose homeostasis, and the immune system. This article summarizes the effects of low fluoride on human and animal skeletal and non-skeletal systems. A preliminary exploration of corresponding mechanisms that will help to fully understand the harm of low fluoride on human health was undertaken to provide the basis for establishing new water fluoride standards and help to implement individual guidance.

Fluoride-Induced Sperm Damage and HuR-Mediated Excessive Apoptosis and Autophagy in Spermatocytes

It is critical to determine the mechanism underlying fluoride (F)-induced damage of the testes to develop appropriate strategies for monitoring and intervention. In the present study, exposure to 50 mg/L sodium fluoride (NaF) for 90 days damaged the normal structure of the testes and quality of the sperm, particularly the spermatocytes, and triggered overexpression of human antigen R (Elavl1/HuR) according to western blotting and immunofluorescence. Furthermore, 0.5 mM NaF exposure for 24 h exposure increased the proportion of apoptosis and expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in mouse spermatocytes (GC-2spd cell line), whereas inhibition of HuR reduced apoptosis and the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9. Additionally, inhibition of HuR alleviated F-induced autophagy based on observation of the autophagy bodies, detection of autophagy activity, and analysis of the expression of the LC3II/LC3I and p62 proteins. These results reveal that excessive F can lead to overexpression of HuR, resulting in high levels of apoptosis and autophagy in spermatocytes. These findings improve the understanding of the mechanisms underlying F-induced male reproductive toxicity, and HuR may be explored as a treatment target for certain conditions. Excessive fluoride can induce overexpression of HuR in testis and result in excessive apoptosis and autophagy in spermatocytes as well as male reproductive damage, such as a decreased sperm count, decreased sperm motility, and increased deformity rate.

Tiger Nut (Cyperus esculentus L.): Nutrition, Processing, Function and Applications

The tiger nut is the tuber of Cyperus esculentus L., which is a high-quality wholesome crop that contains lipids, protein, starch, fiber, vitamins, minerals and bioactive factors. This article systematically reviewed the nutritional composition of tiger nuts; the processing methods for extracting oil, starch and other edible components; the physiochemical and functional characteristics; as well as their applications in food industry. Different extraction methods can affect functional and nutritional properties to a certain extent. At present, mechanical compression, alkaline methods and alkali extraction-acid precipitation are the most suitable methods for the production of its oil, starch and protein in the food industry, respectively. Based on traditional extraction methods, combination of innovative techniques aimed at yield and physiochemical characteristics is essential for the comprehensive utilization of nutrients. In addition, tiger nut has the radical scavenging ability, in vitro inhibition of lipid peroxidation, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects and displays medical properties. It has been made to milk, snacks, beverages and gluten-free bread. Despite their ancient use for food and feed and the many years of intense research, tiger nuts and their components still deserve further exploitation on the functional properties, modifications and intensive processing to make them suitable for industrial production.

Histomorphometric and biochemical activities of bioactive component of Cyperus esculentus tubers extract on letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome and cholesterol homeostasis in female Sprague-Dawley rats

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine and metabolic disorder, causes irregular menstrual cycles, dyslipidemia, excessive body weight, oxidative stress, hyperandrogenism, and infertility. This study focused on the impact of Cyperus esculentus (CES) on letrozole-induced PCOS in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Twenty (20) normal rats and twenty (20) PCOS rats (150–200 g, 8 weeks old) were randomly divided into four groups of ten ( n = 10) rats each. Group A served as normal control group received 2 mL of normal saline, group B treated with 500 mg/kg body weight of CES , group C PCOS control group received 2 mL of normal saline, and group D PCOS rats post-treated with 500 mg/kg body weight of CES daily through gastric gavage for 30 days. Estrus cyclicity, body and ovaries weights, biochemical and histological parameters were measured. Observed irregular estrus cyclicity and multiple cysts in PCOS rats, increase glycemia, ovarian weight, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, malondialdehyde, luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, and decrease high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, estradiol, progesterone, catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH), and superoxide dismutase levels, compared with control. The intervention of CES ameliorated and restored the estrus cyclicity reproductive hormone, biochemical, and structural alterations. Moreover, CES significantly decreased cystic follicles, LH, and testosterone levels, but increased estradiol concentration. This plant may be beneficial in the management and treatment of PCOS-related reproductive and metabolic disorders.