The combined fixed-dose antituberculous drugs alter some reproductive functions with oxidative stress involvement in wistar rats

The first-line antituberculosis drugs, and their fixed-dose combination induced abnormal sperm morphology and histological lesions in the testicular cells of male mice

Rifampicin (RIF), Isoniazid (INH), Ethambutol (EMB), Pyrazinamide (PZA), and/or their fixed-dose combination (FDC) are extensively prescribed in the cure of Tuberculosis (TB) globally. In spite of the beneficial effect, these drugs are capable of inducing cellular toxicity. Existing information on the genotoxic effects of the first-line anti-TB drugs is limited and contentious. Herein, we evaluated the reproductive genotoxicity of RIF, INH, EMB, PZA, and their FDC utilizing the mouse sperm morphology assay. Histological examination of the testes of exposed mice was also performed. Male Swiss albino mice (11-13 weeks old) were intraperitoneally exposed for 5 consecutive days to each of the anti-TB drugs at four different doses of 6.25, 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg bw of PZA; 2.5, 5.0, 10, and 20 mg/kg bw of RIF; 1.25, 2.5, 5.0 and 10 mg/kg bw of INH; 3.75, 7.5, 15 and 30 mg/kg bw of EMB; and 7, 14, 28 and 56 mg/kg bw of FDC corresponding respectively to ×0.25, ×0.5, ×1 and ×2.0 of the standard daily dose. In comparison with the negative control (normal saline), there was no significant difference in the testicular weight and organo-somatic index of exposed mice. There was an increase (p > 0.05) in the frequency of abnormal spermatozoa at most of the tested doses of each drug and a dose-dependent decrease with the FDC. Each of the anti-TB drugs except the FDC induced pathological lesions in the testes. These findings suggest that the individual first-line anti-TB drug unlike the FDC has the potential to provoke testicular anomalies in male mice.

Anti-tuberculosis drugs used in a directly observed treatment short course (DOTS) schedule alter endocrine patterns and reduce the ovarian reserve and oocyte quality in the mouse

CONTEXT

Tuberculosis is one of the major infectious diseases, with people of reproductive age group having a high risk of infection.

AIMS

The present study was designed to understand the consequences of anti-tuberculosis drugs (ATDs) used in DOTS (directly observed treatment short course) schedule on ovarian function.

METHODS

Adult female Swiss albino mice were orally administered with combinations of ATDs used in the DOTS schedule every day for 4weeks. At 2weeks after the cessation of ATDs administration, the endocrine changes and ovarian function were assessed in mice.

KEY RESULTS

Administration of ATDs to mice resulted in a prolonged estrous cycle, reduced ovarian follicle reserve, alteration in FSH, LH, and progesterone level, and decreased the number of ovulated oocytes. Further, the degree of fragmentation, degeneration, abnormal distribution of cytoplasmic organelles, abnormal spindle organisation, and chromosomal misalignment were higher in oocytes that were ovulated following superovulation. Blastocysts derived from ATDs treated mice had significantly lower total cell numbers and greater DNA damage. A marginal increase in the number of resorbed fetuses was observed in all the ATDs treated groups except in the multidrug resistance treatment group. Male progeny of ATDs treated mice had decreased sperm count and lower progressive motility, while female progeny exhibited a non-significant reduction in the number of oocytes ovulated.

CONCLUSIONS

Theresults of this study suggest that ATDs can have significant adverse effects on the ovarian reserve, cytoplasmic organisation of oocytes, and can potentially cause transgenerational changes.

IMPLICATIONS

The findings of the present study indicate ovarian toxicity of ATDs and warrant further research in the direction of identifying alternate drugs with minimal toxicity, and strategies to mitigate the ovarian toxicity induced by these drugs.

Exposure to first line anti-tuberculosis drugs in prepubertal age reduces the quality and functional competence of spermatozoa and oocytes in Swiss albino mice

Prepubertal Swiss albino mice of both sex were administered with first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs (ATDs) viz; rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, streptomycin and ethambutol intraperitoneally, for 4 weeks. Two weeks after the completion of treatment, male mice were sacrificed to collect caudal spermatozoa and female mice were superovulated with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to collect metaphase II (MII) oocytes from oviduct. Administration of ATDs not only decreased the count, motility and, nuclear maturity and also, increased the head abnormalities, mitochondrial damage and DNA damage in epididymal spermatozoa. Reduction in number of ovulated oocytes, increased degeneration rate and altered distribution pattern of cytoplasmic organelles was observed in oocytes of female mice. Presence of ATDs in in vitro maturation (IVM) medium increased abnormalities in meiotic resulted in abnormal spindle organization (except ethambutol) without affecting nuclear maturation. In conclusion, the result of this study indicates that ATDs have considerable adverse effects on the functional competence of male and female gametes, however, with varied degree of toxicity.

Acridocarpus Smeathmannii (DC.) Guill. & Perr. Root enhanced reproductive behavior and sexual function in male wistar rats: Biochemical and pharmacological mechanisms

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Novel therapeutic opportunities from medicinal agents continue to arouse scientific interest in recent times. Still, there is a dearth of information as regards experimental evidence generated from medicinal plants that would yield pharmacological agents for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Acridocarpus Smeathmannii (DC.) Guill. & Perr. Root (ASR) has a long history as an aphrodisiac in African traditional medicine. Thus, this study investigated the reproductive potentials and associated biochemical mechanisms of its hydroethanolic extract (HEASR) in male Wistar rats. Also, the bioactive compounds were identified.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-four male albino rats (180 ± 20 g) were divided into nine groups of six rats/group. Control, group 1 received normal saline (10 mL/kg). Groups 2-6 rats were administered sildenafil (1.43 mg/kg/day), mesterolone (0.36 mg/kg/day), doxazocin (0.03 mg/kg/day), HEASR1 (50 mg/kg/day) and HEASR2 (200 mg/kg/day) respectively. Others received co-administration of HEASR2 with standard drugs. Treatment lasted for 28 days via oral gavage.

RESULTS

An acute oral toxicity of HEASR up to 2 g/kg produced no mortality in mice p.o. while the median lethal dose was estimated to be 810 mg/kg i.p. HEASR2 administration or in combination with sildenafil, mesterolone and doxazocin increased mounting frequencies on day 28 by 77.44%, 122.65%, 148.5% and 93.88% and sperm counts by 38.29%, 55.21%, 42.48%, and 48.98% respectively in treated rats. HEASR2 + sildenafil elevated testosterone and follicle stimulating hormone levels by 36.33% and 24.55% while HEASR2 + doxazocin elevated luteinizing hormone levels by 97.44% in rats. HEASR modulated prostate-specific antigen and malondialdehyde levels respectively. Reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities were raised in five selected organs. Serum nitric oxide but not cyclooxygenase-2 or tumor necrosis factor-α levels was moderately improved in rats.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the results obtained demonstrated the potential of HEASR as a male reproductive enhancer, thus justify its folklore applications. Further, octadecanoic acid ethyl ester was the most abundant bioactive component present.

Safety evaluation of Bon-santé cleanser® polyherbal in male Wistar rats: Further investigations on androgenic and toxicological profile

BACKGROUND

The global increase in acceptance and use of herbal remedies in recent times is still accompanied with poor knowledge of their potential adverse effects and the toxicological implications of their use are underestimated.

METHODS

Bon-santé Cleanser® (BSC), a polyherbal containing Anogeissus leiocarpus, Terminalia ivorensis, Massularia acuminate and Macuna pruriens, is an "energizer and hormone booster". We assessed the effect of BSC on reproductive function after administration for 60 days in male Wistar rats. Rats (150-300 g) were assigned into four groups of 8/group. Control received distilled water (10 ml/kg) while other groups received BSC 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg/day p.o. respectively. Animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation and samples collected for analysis.

RESULTS

BSC (250 mg/kg) elevated (p < 0.05) follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels respectively. BSC decreased sperm motility and the live-dead ratio at 1000 mg/kg and reduced reproductive hormone at 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg respectively. BSC at 500 mg/kg increased (p < 0.05, F = 3.18-13.21) testicular reduced glutathione level (50.3%) and catalase (43.7%) but not activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione S-transferase, and malondialdehyde level. Further, BSC influenced Mg, Zn, Cu, P, Mn, Ni and Fe levels (p < 0.05). BSC (1000 mg/kg) decreased testis weight (p < 0.05) and induced mild inflammation characterized by atrophic tubules.

CONCLUSION

Overall, our data suggest BSC at low doses may increase reproductive hormones regulated by FSH and LH as observed in this study. However, BSC administration should be done with caution as it may induce reproductive toxicity in large doses.