Effects of L-Carnitine and Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Trial

The prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) increases with age. Considering that BPH drug treatment is associated with complications, this study aimed to investigate the effects of L-carnitine (LC) and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation as an adjunct therapy to finasteride in the management of LUTS in older men affected with BPH. Fifty eligible volunteers (25 per group) were randomly assigned to either intervention (finasteride + LC and CoQ10 supplements) or control (finasteride + placebo) groups. International prostate symptom score (IPSS), international index of erectile function (IIEF), quality of life index (QoL), as well as serum levels of Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), were assessed. Prostate ultrasound evaluation was also performed, before and after 8 wk of intervention. Supplementation with LC and CoQ10 led to a significant decrease in prostate volume (p < 0.001) as well as a significant increase in IIEF (p < 0.001), compared to the control group. However, there were no significant between-group differences in IPSS (p = 0.503), QoL scores (p = 0.339), and PSA levels (p = 0.482). CoQ10 and LC supplements might be beneficial in combination with standard therapies in the management of BPH and its related complications.

L-carnitine-loaded nanoparticle ameliorates cypermethrin-induced reproductive toxicity in adult male rats

The objective of this investigation was to find out whether L-carnitine-loaded nanoparticle (LCn) could reduce the reproductive toxicity of cypermethrin (CYP), the widely used insecticide in veterinary medicine in male rats. Twenty male Wistar rats that weighed between 210 and 240 g were split into four groups and treated daily for 2 months. The control group was given 0.9% normal saline solution daily. The second group received CYP (3.83 mg/kg b. w. p. o.) daily. The third group was administered with LCn and CYP (50 mg/kg b. wt. p. o. and 3.83 mg/kg b. wt. p. o., respectively) daily, whereas the fourth group received LCn alone (50 mg/kg b. wt. p. o.) daily. On day 60, all rats were sacrificed and samples were collected. CYP-treated animals exhibited inhibition of testicular anti-oxidative stress mechanisms, testicular steroidogenesis enzyme activity (3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase [3β-HSD] and 17β-HSD), and downregulation of steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) gene expression. In addition, it decreased testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and LH levels and had detrimental consequences for sperm quality. LCn attenuated CYP-induced reproductive toxicity via the alleviation of testicular oxidative stress status, improvement of steroidogenic enzyme activity, and upregulation of StAR gene expression, which are probably responsible for the concomitant improvement in testicular hormonal levels and improvement in sperm properties. Intriguingly, LCn treatment alone could enhance the functions of the male reproductive system.

Adipose tissue adipokines and lipokines: Functions and regulatory mechanism in skeletal muscle development and homeostasis

Skeletal muscle plays important roles in normal biological activities and whole-body energy homeostasis in humans. The growth and development of skeletal muscle also directly influence meat production and meat quality in animal production. Therefore, regulating the development and homeostasis of skeletal muscle is crucial for human health and animal production. Adipose tissue, which includes white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT), not only functions as an energy reserve but also has attracted substantial attention because of its role as an endocrine organ. The novel signalling molecules known as "adipokines" and "lipokines" that are secreted by adipose tissue were identified through the secretomic technique, which broadened our understanding of the previously unknown crosstalk between adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. In this review, we summarize and discuss the secretory role of adipose tissues, both WAT and BAT, as well as the regulatory roles of various adipokines and lipokines in skeletal muscle development and homeostasis. We suggest that adipokines and lipokines have potential as drug candidates for the treatment of skeletal muscle dysfunction and related metabolic diseases and as promising nutrients for improving animal production.

Exogenous L-carnitine Administration Ameliorates the Adverse Effects of Heat Stress on Testicular Hemodynamics, Echotexture, and Total Antioxidant Capacity in Rams

Heat stress (HS) diminishes the testicular antioxidant defense systems, which adversely affect the testicular blood perfusion. Improving the testicular hemodynamics during HS conditions is of a great impact on the whole reproductive performance in rams. This study aimed to evaluate the ameliorative effects of L-carnitine (LC) on the testicular blood flow and echotextures and also on the total antioxidants (TAC) and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations in the serum during HS conditions in rams. Testicular blood flow was evaluated through scanning of the supra-testicular artery (STA) spectral patterns through pulsed Doppler ultrasonography [peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), time average maximum velocity (TAMAX), resistive index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI)], while the echotexture assessment of testicular parenchyma was performed by a computerized software program. Moreover, TAC and NO concentrations were assayed colorimetrically using the spectrophotometer. There were significant decreases (P &lt; 0.05) in values of PSV at 48 and 168 h (23.45 ± 0.39 and 23.37 ± 1.41 cm/s, respectively), and TAMAX at 1, 48, and 168 h (17.65 ± 0.95, 17.5 ± 0.13, and 16.9 ± 1.05 cm/s, respectively) after LC administration compared to just before administration (31.92 ± 1.13 and 21.58 ± 0.92 cm/s, respectively). Values of RI and PI of the examined STA significantly decreased, especially at 1 h for RI (0.45 ± 0.02) and 1 and 48 h for PI (0.66 ± 0.06 and 0.65 ± 0.05, respectively) after LC treatment to 0 h (0.55 ± 0.03 and 0.84 ± 0.06, respectively). The EDV values did not show any significant (P &lt; 0.05) changes in all the experimental time points. There were significant (P &lt; 0.05) increases in the values of pixel intensity of the testicular parenchyma, especially at 1 and 168 h (78.71 ± 2.50 and 88.56 ± 4.10, respectively) after LC administration, compared to just before administration (69.40 ± 4.75). Serum NO levels tend to increase after LC administration (P = 0.07) concerning just before administration. While TAC values showed significant gradual increase and reached the highest values at 168 h (2.75 ± 0.58 mM/l) after LC administration, compared to 0 h (1.12 ± 0.05 mM/l). In conclusion, exogenous LC administration ameliorates testicular hemodynamic disruptions, as measured by spectral Doppler ultrasonography, via augmentation of the rams' total antioxidant capacity under HS conditions.

L-carnitine extenuates endocrine disruption, inflammatory burst and oxidative stress in carbendazim-challenged male rats via upregulation of testicular StAR and FABP9, and downregulation of P38-MAPK pathways

We have addressed in the current study the potential of L-carnitine (LC) to extenuate the reproductive toxic insults of carbendazim (CBZ) in male rats, and the molecular mechanisms whereby carnitine would modify the spermatogenic and steroidogenic derangements invoked by the endocrine disruptor. Herein, animals received daily doses of carbendazim (100 mg/kg) by gavage for 8 weeks. Another CBZ-challenged group was co-supplemented with LC (500 mg/kg, IP) twice weekly for 8 weeks. Sperm quantity and quality (morphology, motility and viability), serum testosterone and gonadotropins, and thyroid hormone levels were assessed. Serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) concentrations were determined by ELISA. Oxidant/antioxidant status in rat testis was investigated via measuring testicular contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH), as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Immunohistochemical localizations of the junctional protein; occludin, and inflammatory markers; inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) were further analyzed. A host of transduction genes that regulate spermatogenic and steroidogenic pathways, and their encoded proteins namely, Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR), Fatty acid binding protein 9 (FABP9) and P38-mitogen activated protein kinase (P38-MAPK) were assessed by real time quantitative (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. LC improved rat spermiogram, testicular histological alterations and endocrine perturbances, and modulated genes' expressions and their respective proteins. In conclusion, LC effects appear to reside for the most part on its endocrine-preserving, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties through a myriad of interlaced signal transductions that ultimately recapitulated its beneficial effects on spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis.

Dietary L-carnitine affects the expression of genes involved in apoptosis and fatty acid metabolism in rooster testes

Thirty-six 12-week-old breeder roosters (Ross 308) were randomly allocated into three groups to receive L-carnitine (LC): LC-0, LC-250 or LC-500 mg/kg of diet to evaluate the effects of dietary LC on the expression of apoptotic-related genes and desaturases and elongase mRNA transcript levels, in the cockerel testicles. Alteration of Bak (Bcl2 antagonist/killer), Bcl2, Cas3, Cas8, Cas9, Elovl2, Elovl4, Elovl5, Fads1, Fads2 and Scd expression at 24 and 34 weeks of age was compared by real-time quantitative PCR. The expression of Bcl2 and Elovl5 was significantly up-regulated (p < .05), while Cas8 expression (p < .05) and Bak/Bcl2 ratio were reduced (p < .02) in the cockerel testicles at 24 weeks of age. Although Bak mRNA abundance decreased by dietary LC, Bak/Bcl2 ratio was not affected by the treatments at 34 weeks of age. The expression of Cas3 was down-regulated, while Fads2 was up-regulated in the cockerel testicles by dietary LC at 34 weeks of age (p < .05). The results demonstrate the beneficial effects of LC supplementation in suppression of the Bak/Bcl2 ratio by altering Bak and Bcl2 mRNA abundance and, ultimately, prevention of apoptosis. Furthermore, LC increased the expression of Elovl5 and Fads2 genes which are involved in the metabolism of long chain fatty acids.

Heat-induced changes in the expression and localisation of PGC-1α in the mice testis

The functions of mammalian testis are temperature-sensitive. There are various testicular factors, which express in response to heat as a mechanism of defence. PGC-1α and HSP70 have poetical role in the protection from oxidative stress in various tissues, including testis. The expression of PGC-1α and HSP70 has been shown in the testis, and it has also been documented that heat modulates the expression of PGC-1α and HSP70. However, heat-dependent changes in the localisation and expression of PGC-1α have not been investigated so far. Thus, we studied the expression and localisation pattern of PGC-1α in the testis of heat-treated mice along with marker of proliferation (PCNA, GCNA), serum testosterone levels, MDA levels and HSP70. The results showed a significant increase in PGC-1α and HSP70 and MDA levels in the testis of heat-treated mice along with a decrease in PCNA, GCNA and serum testosterone levels. The immunolocalisation study showed intense immunostaining of PGC-1α in the Leydig cell and germ cells of the heat-treated testis, with pronounced damaged in the histoarchitecture. The results showed that increase expression of PGC-1α in germ cells and Leydig cells of testis could be a counter mechanism to cope up with oxidative stress in coordination with HSP70.

Carnitine Diminishes Etoposide Toxic Action on Spermatogonial Self-renewal and Sperm Production in Adult Rats Treated in the Prepubertal Phase

The aim of this study was to investigate carnitine action against negative effects of etoposide on stem/progenitor spermatogonia and on sperm production. Carnitine (250 mg/kg body weight/day) and etoposide (5 mg/kg body weight/day) were administered from 25-days postpartum to 32-days postpartum. Testes were collected at 32-days postpartum, 64-days postpartum, and 127-days postpartum, and submitted to the immuno-labeling of UTF1, SOX2, and PLZF proteins to identify undifferentiated spermatogonia populations. At 127-days postpartum, sperm were collected for analysis. Carnitine+etoposide group showed a higher numerical density of spermatogonia labeled for all studied proteins at 64-days postpartum (critical age) compared to the etoposide group. Moreover, there was an improvement of spermatic parameters and sperm DNA integrity in rats of the carnitine+etoposide group in comparison with rats of the etoposide group. The results suggest that carnitine improves the self-renewal of undifferentiated spermatogonia and promotes a partial protection on them, alleviating the etoposide harmful late effects and leading to an enhancement of the sperm parameters in adulthood.

The effects of curcumin supplementation on oxidative stress, Sirtuin-1 and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ coactivator 1α gene expression in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Curcumin is a biologically active phytochemical ingredient found in turmeric and has antioxidant pharmacologic actions that may benefit patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). The aim in this trial was to evaluate the efficacy of curcumin supplementation on oxidative stress enzymes, sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) and Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC1α) gene expression in PCOS patients.

METHODS

Seventy-two patients with PCOS were recruited for this randomized, double-blinded, clinical trial. Thirty-six patients received curcumin, 1500 mg (three times per day), and 36 patients received placebo for 3 months. Gene expression of SIRT1, PGC1α and serum activity of glutathione peroxidase (Gpx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzymes were evaluated at the beginning of trial and at 3-month follow-up.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven patients with PCOS completed the trial. Curcumin supplementation significantly increased gene expression of PGC1α (p = 0.011) and activity of the Gpx enzyme (p = 0.045). Curcumin also non-significantly increased gene expression of SIRT1 and activity of the SOD enzyme.

CONCLUSIONS

Curcumin seems to be an efficient reducer of oxidative stress related complications in patients with PCOS. Further studies on curcumin should strengthen our findings.

Dexamethasone mediated downregulation of PGC-1α and visfatin regulates testosterone synthesis and antioxidant system in mouse testis

Dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid has been used as an immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory and affects reproduction. It has been suggested that testicular steroidogenesis involves PGC-1α and visfatin as key regulators. Previous studies have shown that dexamethasone down-regulates PGC-1α and visfatin expression in muscle and mammary epithelial cells respectively. However, the effect of dexamethasone on testicular visfatin and PGC-1α expressions has not been investigated. The aims of the present study were to investigate the effect of dexamethasone, on the expression of PGC-1α, visfatin and antioxidant enzymes activities in mouse testis. The results of the present study showed that dexamethasone treatment significantly decreased the expression of visfatin and PGC-1α in mice testis, along with significant decreased in testicular antioxidant enzymes activates. Further, dexamethasone treatment also significantly increased the testicular lipid peroxidation and decreased testosterone synthesis. The dexamethasone induced changes in PGC-1α and visfatin in the testis were significantly correlated with changes in serum testosterone concentrations and antioxidant enzymes activities. Thus, dexamethasone induced testicular toxicity may involve the PGC-1α and visfatin as important molecules to exhibit its effects.

Effect of Letrozole, a selective aromatase inhibitor, on testicular activities in adult mice: Both in vivo and in vitro study

The aim of present study was to evaluate the significance of estradiol (E2) in testicular activities and to find out the mechanism by which E2 regulates spermatogenesis in mice. To achieve this, both in vivo and in vitro effect of Letrozole on testis of adult mice was investigated. Letrozole-induced changes in testicular histology, cell proliferation (proliferating cell nuclear antigen; PCNA), cell survival (B cell lymphoma factor-2; Bcl2), apoptotic (cysteine-aspartic proteases; caspase-3), steroidogenic (side chain cleavage; SCC, 3β-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase enzyme; 3β HSD, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein; StAR, aromatase and luteinizing hormone receptor; LH-R) markers, glucose level, and rate of expression of glucose transporter (GLUT) 8 and insulin receptor (IR) proteins in the testis along with changes in serum E2 and testosterone (T) levels were evaluated. Letrozole acts on testis and caused significant decrease in E2 synthesis, but increase in testosterone level and showed regressive changes in the spermatogenesis. Letrozole-induced changes in various testicular markers were compared with the changes in serum E2 level. The correlation study showed that decreased circulating E2 level may be responsible for decreased insulin receptor (IR) level in the testis. The decreased effects of insulin inhibited the glucose transport in the testis by suppressing GLUT8. The decreased level of testicular glucose may produce less lactate as energy support to developing germ cells consequently resulting in decreased cell proliferation and cell survival, but increased apoptosis. Thus, Letrozole suppresses spermatogenesis by reducing insulin sensitivity and glucose transport in the testis, but significantly increased testosterone level by promoting gonadotrophin release by decreased E2.