Antioxidants to enhance fertility: role of eNOS and potential benefits

Salvia miltiorrhiza solution and its active compounds ameliorate human granulosa cell damage induced by H2O2

The dried roots or rhizomes of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge are commonly used in Chinese medicine to promote blood circulation and regulate menstruation. Salvianic acid A and salvianolic acid B are the main active water-soluble compounds in Salvia miltiorrhiza solution. The present study investigated the protective effect of Salvia miltiorrhiza solution and its active compounds in H₂O₂-induced cell damage of the human ovarian granulosa tumor cell line (KGN) in vitro, as well as its underlying mechanism. Cell viability was detected using a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. In addition, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured. Western blotting was performed to detect the protein expression of cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9. Furthermore, immunocytochemistry was used to detect the expression of TNF-α. It was demonstrated that Salvia miltiorrhiza solution, salvianic acid A and salvianolic acid B did not affect the viability of KGN cells. Additionally, salvianic acid A and salvianolic acid B significantly reduced the H₂O₂-induced increased MDA levels, and reversed the H₂O₂-induced suppression of SOD and GSH activities in KGN cells (P<0.05). Treatment with Salvia miltiorrhiza solution, salvianic acid A and salvianolic acid B significantly reduced the overexpression of cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-9 and TNF-α compared with the H₂O₂-treated group (P<0.05). Therefore, the present results indicated that Salvia miltiorrhiza solution and its main water-soluble compounds, salvianic acid A and salvianolic acid B, ameliorated KGN cell damage induced by H₂O₂.

The inhibitory influence of toluene on mare ovarian granulosa cells can be prevented by fennel

The influence of environmental contaminant toluene and of plant fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) on reproduction are reported, but the mechanisms of their action and the protective effect of fennel on contaminant influence remain to be elucidated. In this study, we hypothesized that toluene and fennel directly affects basic ovarian cell functions, and that fennel can be used as an appropriate natural protective agent against the potential adverse effects of toluene. This study aimed to examine the action of toluene (20 μg/mL) and fennel extract (0, 1, 10, 100 μg/mL), and assess their combination on viability, proliferation, apoptosis, and hormone release by cultured healthy mare ovarian granulosa cells. Viability, proliferation (percentage of PCNA-positive cells), apoptosis and release of progesterone, oxytocin and prostaglandin F were evaluated by using Trypan blue exclusion tests, immunocytochemistry and enzyme immunoassays, respectively. Toluene, when given alone, inhibited viability, proliferation, apoptosis, progesterone, prostaglandin F and IGF-I. However, it did not affect oxytocin release. Moreover, Fennel, when given alone, inhibited viability, progesterone, and prostaglandin F release, as well as stimulating proliferation and oxytocin release. In addition, Fennel did not affect apoptosis. When given in combination with toluene, fennel was able to suppress, and even invert, the effects of toluene on viability, proliferation, apoptosis, prostaglandin F, and IGF-I. However, it did not alter its effect on progesterone release. Moreover, fennel induced the inhibitory effect of toluene on oxytocin output. The findings of our study suggest direct adverse effects of toluene on the basic ovarian functions of mares. Lastly, we also observed the direct influence of fennel on these functions, as well as its ability to be a natural protector against the action of toluene on the ovarian functions of mares.

Augmented oxidative stress in infertile women with persistent chlamydial infection

There is established association between oxidative stress, infections of genital tract and fertility. Genital tract infections may provoke increased production of free radicals and generate oxidative stress that can be involved in pathophysiology of a number of reproductive diseases and complications during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine connection between oxidative stress and infertility associated with persistent chlamydial infection. Serum samples of infertile women with tubal factor infertility (TFI), women with multiple spontaneous abortions (MSA) and fertile women was screened for C. trachomatis MOMP specific IgG and IgA antibodies and cHSP60 specific igG antibodies using ELISA. The levels of superoxide anion radical, nitric oxide and reduced glutathione were determined spectrophotometricaly. Serum levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone were determined by enzyme-linked fluorescent immunoassay method. Our results showed that persistent infection was more prevalent in TFI than in MSA group, whereas seropositivity was higher in MSA than in TFI group of patients. We also found that superoxide anion was significantly lower, while LH was markedly higher in TFI and MSA group of patients. However, when our results were analyzed according to the serological status of chlamydial infection, we found that parameters of oxidative stress, superoxide anion and index of oxidative stress, defined as relative ratio between superoxide anion and nitrites sum and glutathione ((O₂^-+NO₂^-)/GSH) were significantly elevated in infertile patients with persistent chlamydial infection compared to seropositive and seronegative patients. Our findings point to the possible impact of Chlamydia trachomatis infection on prooxidative-antioxidative balance that can influence fertility potential in women with persistent chlamydial infection.

Impact of Prunus Cerasus on PGR and HAS2 in Cumulus Cells and Fertility Outcome

PURPOSE

Cumulus cells have a critical role in normal oocyte development and fertilization. Prunus cerasus is an anthocyanin rich berry and performs strong antioxidant activity. The present study set to determine if Prunus cerasus can affect expression of HAS2 (hyaluronan synthase 2) and progesterone receptor in Cumulus cells and its consequences outcome of the in vitro fertilization.

METHODS

60 female and 15 male adult mice were used for mating and IVF (in vitro fertilization). Prunus cerasus extraction was added to the diet of female mice for 30 days. Ovulation induction and oocytes collection were done as routine. The cumulus cells were dissected apart, and the expression of progesterone receptor and HAS2 was detected using RT-PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction). Fertilization rate was evaluated by IVF. All data were analyzed using t-test.

RESULTS

Data was showed that expression of progesterone receptor and HAS2 in cumulus cells of mice that received prunus cerasus increased. Moreover, oocyte fertilization rate also increased significantly.

CONCLUSION

Prunus cerasus as an antioxidant natural can become an important medication for improving oocyte quality and opening new opportunities for infertility treatment. It is concluded that Prunus cerasus consumption could improve fertility rate by increasing progesterone receptor and HAS2 activity in cumulus cells.

New insights into male (in)fertility: the importance of NO

Infertility is a global problem that is on the rise, especially during the last decade. Currently, infertility affects approximately 10-15% of the population worldwide. The frequency and origin of different forms of infertility varies. It has been shown that reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS and RNS) are involved in the aetiology of infertility, especially male infertility. Various strategies have been designed to remove or decrease the production of ROS and RNS in spermatozoa, in particular during in vitro fertilization. However, in recent years it has been shown that spermatozoa naturally produce a variety of ROS/RNS, including superoxide anion radical (O2 (⋅-)), hydrogen peroxide and NO. These reactive species, in particular NO, are essential in regulating sperm capacitation and the acrosome reaction, two processes that need to be acquired by sperm in order to achieve fertilization potential. In addition, it has recently been shown that mitochondrial function is positively correlated with human sperm fertilization potential and quality and that NO and NO precursors increase sperm motility by increasing energy production in mitochondria. We will review the new link between sperm NO-driven redox regulation and infertility herein. A special emphasis will be placed on the potential implementation of new redox-active substances that modulate the content of NO in spermatozoa to increase fertility and promote conception.

Long-chain omega 3 fatty acids: molecular bases of potential antioxidant actions

Several lines of investigation are being developed to assess the impact of polyunsaturated fatty acids, namely those of the omega 3 series, intake on oxidative stress. Keeping in mind that there might be a dose-response relation, in vivo and in vitro data strongly suggest that omega 3 fatty acids might act as anti- rather than pro-oxidant in several cells such as vascular cells, hence diminishing inflammation, oxidative stress, and, in turn, the risk of atherosclerosis and degenerative disorders such as cardiovascular disease.

A novel chitosan based antimalarial drug delivery against Plasmodium berghei infection

Chitosan is a natural polysaccharide that has attracted significant scientific interest during the last two decades and chitosan based nanodrug delivery systems seem to be a hopeful and viable strategy for improving disease treatment. This study aims to evaluate the potency of the polymer based nanochloroquine in application for attenuation of Plasmodium berghei infection in Swiss mice and effectiveness against the parasite induced oxidative stress and deoxyribo nucleic acid (DNA) damage in lymphocytes. Nanoparticle was prepared by ionotropic gelation between chitosan and sodium tripolyphosphate. The chloroquine was treated by the actual drug content of effective nanochloroquine and the nanodrug was charged with its effective dose for fifteen days, after successive infection development in Swiss mice. Gimsa staining of thin smear and flow cytometry analysis was pursued to reveal the parasitemia. Different oxidative markers, inflammatory markers, antioxidant enzymes level and also lymphocytic deoxyribo nucleic acid damage study were performed. The present study reveals the potency of the nanodrug which has been found as more prospective than only chloroquine treatment to combat the parasite infection, oxidative stress as well as inflammation and DNA damage. From the study, we conclude this nanodrug may be applicable as potent therapeutic agent than only chloroquine.

Preserved fertility despite erectile dysfunction in mice lacking the nitric oxide receptor

Nitric oxide (NO) and cGMP have been shown to be important mediators of penile erection. Erectile dysfunction may result from reduced or non-functional signal transduction within this cascade. There is, however, some inconsistency in the available data as mice lacking NO synthases (endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide synthase, or both) appear to be fertile whereas mice deficient in cGMP-dependent protein kinase I (PKGI) suffer from erectile dysfunction. To clarify this discrepancy we performed studies on mice lacking the NO receptor NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase (NO-GC). In addition, we generated cell-specific NO-GC knockout (KO) lines to investigate the function of NO in individual cell types. NO-GC was specifically deleted in smooth muscle or endothelial cells (SM-guanylyl cyclase knockout (SM-GCKO) and EC-GCKO, respectively) and these KO lines were compared with total knockouts (GCKO) and wild-type animals. We investigated expression of NO-GC, NO-induced relaxation of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle and their ability to generate offspring. NO-GC-positive immunostaining was detected in smooth muscle and endothelial cells of murine corpus cavernosum but not in interstitial cells of Cajal. NO released from NO donors as well as from nitrergic neurons failed to relax precontracted corpus cavernosum from GCKO mice in organ bath experiments. Similar results were obtained in corpus cavernosum from SM-GCKO mice whereas deletion of NO-GC in endothelial cells did not affect relaxation. The lack of NO-induced relaxation in GCKO animals was not compensated for by guanosine 3,5-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) signalling. To our surprise, GCKO males were fertile although their ability to produce offspring was decreased. Our data show that deletion of NO-GC specifically in smooth muscle cells abolishes NO-induced corpus cavernosum relaxation but does not lead to infertility.

Olive oil phenolics: where do we stand? Where should we go?

The formulation of an antioxidant/atherosclerosis hypothesis stimulated experimental and epidemiological studies on the possible role of micronutrients, including olive oil phenolics, in the protection from cardiovascular disease observed in the Mediterranean area. This article prospectively summarises our current knowledge of olive phenolics, underscore our gaps in information, and brings forward areas that are, as yet, to be explored.

The effects of oxidative stress on female reproduction: a review

Oxidative stress (OS), a state characterized by an imbalance between pro-oxidant molecules including reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, and antioxidant defenses, has been identified to play a key role in the pathogenesis of subfertility in both males and females. The adverse effects of OS on sperm quality and functions have been well documented. In females, on the other hand, the impact of OS on oocytes and reproductive functions remains unclear. This imbalance between pro-oxidants and antioxidants can lead to a number of reproductive diseases such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and unexplained infertility. Pregnancy complications such as spontaneous abortion, recurrent pregnancy loss, and preeclampsia, can also develop in response to OS. Studies have shown that extremes of body weight and lifestyle factors such as cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and recreational drug use can promote excess free radical production, which could affect fertility. Exposures to environmental pollutants are of increasing concern, as they too have been found to trigger oxidative states, possibly contributing to female infertility. This article will review the currently available literature on the roles of reactive species and OS in both normal and abnormal reproductive physiological processes. Antioxidant supplementation may be effective in controlling the production of ROS and continues to be explored as a potential strategy to overcome reproductive disorders associated with infertility. However, investigations conducted to date have been through animal or in vitro studies, which have produced largely conflicting results. The impact of OS on assisted reproductive techniques (ART) will be addressed, in addition to the possible benefits of antioxidant supplementation of ART culture media to increase the likelihood for ART success. Future randomized controlled clinical trials on humans are necessary to elucidate the precise mechanisms through which OS affects female reproductive abilities, and will facilitate further explorations of the possible benefits of antioxidants to treat infertility.

Molecular targets of omega 3 and conjugated linoleic Fatty acids - "micromanaging" cellular response

Essential fatty acids cannot be synthesized de novo by mammals and need to be ingested either with the diet or through the use of supplements/functional foods to ameliorate cardiovascular prognosis. This review focus on the molecular targets of omega 3 fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid, as paradigmatic molecules that can be exploited both as nutrients and as pharmacological agents, especially as related to cardioprotection. In addition, we indicate novel molecular targets, namely microRNAs that might contribute to the observed biological activities of such essential fatty acids.