Orange Peel Extract and Physical Exercise Synergistically Ameliorate Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus-Induced Dysmetabolism by Upregulating GLUT4 Concentration in Male Wistar Rats

Zinc ameliorates acrylamide-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in testicular cells via Nrf2/HO-1/NfkB and Bax/Bcl2 signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Acrylamide is a toxic substance formed in some foods that require high-temperature cooking processes and has been implicated as a gonadotoxic agent. Zinc, on the other hand, is a known antioxidant with fertility-enhancing properties. Hence, this study was designed to explore the possible ameliorative effect of zinc in acrylamide-induced gonadotoxicity.

METHODS

Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomized into control, acrylamide (10 mg/kg of acrylamide), acrylamide + 1 mg/kg of zinc, and acrylamide + 3 mg/kg of zinc. The administration was via the oral route and lasted for 56 days.

RESULTS

Zinc treatment ameliorated acrylamide-impaired sperm quality, normal testicular histoarchitecture, and hormonal balance, which was accompanied by increased testicular malondialdehyde and interleukin-1β and decreased testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Furthermore, zinc prevented acrylamide-induced downregulation of testicular nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCl2) expression and upregulation of testicular nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and bcl-2-like protein 4 (bax) expression.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, zinc may protect against acrylamide-induced testicular toxicity, mediated by its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects.

Omega-3 fatty acids abrogates oxido-inflammatory and mitochondrial dysfunction-associated apoptotic responses in testis of tamoxifen-treated rats

Background

Tamoxifen (TAM) is a widely used drug in patients with gynecomastia and breast cancer. TAM exerts its anticancer effects via its antiestrogenic activities. Unfortunately, TAM has been reported to exert gonadotoxic effects on male testes. Therefore, this study was designed to explore the possible associated mechanisms involved in TAM-induced testicular dysfunction and the possible ameliorative effects of omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA).

Methodology

Animals were randomly divided into control, O3FA, TAM, and TAM + O3FA. All treatment lasted for 28 days.

Results

TAM exposure impaired sperm qualities (count, motility, and normal morphology) and decreased testicular 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD. It was accompanied by a decline in serum testosterone and an increase in estradiol, luteinizing and follicle-stimulating hormones. These observed alterations were associated with an increase in testicular injury markers, oxido-inflammatory response, and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. These observed alterations were ameliorated by O3FA treatments.

Conclusions

O3FA ameliorated TAM-induced testicular dysfunction in male Wistar rats by modulating XO/UA and Nrf2/NF-kb signaling and cytochrome c-mediated apoptosis in TAM-treated rats.

Naringin Prevents Diabetic-Induced Dysmetabolism in Male Wistar Rats by Modulating GSK-3 Activities and Oxidative Stress-Dependent Pathways

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), characterized by insulin resistance and glucose dysmetabolism, is a major metabolic disorder accompanied with health and financial burden. Recently, research findings showed that orange peel extract (OPE) has health benefits such as improved insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. The present study aimed at establishing the role of naringin from OPE on T2DM-induced glucose and lipid dysmetabolism. Thirty male (30) Wistar rats were randomized into five groups: control, diabetes, diabetes + naringin, diabetes + orange peel, and diabetes + metformin. Oral administration was once per day for 28 days. After 28 days of treatment, naringin ameliorated the diabetes-induced increase in blood sugar, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) IR, triglyceride, total cholesterol, triglyceride/high density lipoprotein, total cholesterol/high density lipoprotein, triglyceride glucose index, glucose synthase kinase-3, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, malondialdehyde, c-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor α compared with the diabetic untreated animals. Furthermore, naringin reversed diabetes-induced decrease in serum insulin, HOMA B, HOMA S, quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index, high-density lipoprotein, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glucose transporter-4, and hepatic glycogen. This study showed that naringin prevented diabetes-induced dysglycemia and dyslipidemia via glucose synthase kinase-3 and oxidative stress-dependent pathways.

Zinc abates sodium benzoate -induced testicular dysfunction via upregulation of Nrf2/ HO-1/ Nf-κB signaling and androgen receptor gene

BACKGROUND

Sodium Benzoate (SB) is used in daily products such as drinks, juices, sauces, oils, ketchup, toothpaste, mouthwashes, cosmetics, dentifrices, and pharmaceutical products. However, SB has been implicated in gonadotoxicity even at a dosage within the safe limit. Zinc (Zn), on the other hand, has been shown to improve various fertility indices. Hence, this study was designed to explore the possible ameliorative effect of Zn on SB-induced testicular toxicity.

METHODS

Animals were randomly divided into control, SB, Zn, and SB+Zn. All treatment lasted for 28 days.

RESULTS

SB treatment caused a derangement in reproductive hormone levels, sperm function, and kinematics and a down-regulation of the Androgen receptor (ANDR). Also, a decrease in testicular levels of SOD, CAT, GSH, Nrf2, and HO- 1 activity and an increase in IL-1β, TNF-α, Nf-κB, and Caspase 3 were observed. These SB-induced distortions were ameliorated in SB-treated rats exposed to Zn.

CONCLUSION

Our study suggests that zinc abates SB-induced testicular toxicity by modulating Nrf2/HO-1/ Nf-κB signaling and ANDR upregulation.

Synergistic Effects of Vitamin D and Exercise on Diabetes-induced Gonadotoxicity in Male Wistar Rats: Role of Xanthine Oxidase/Uric Acid and Nrf2/NfkB Signaling

Type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the oldest known chronic diseases, characterized by elevated fasting blood sugar (FBS). T2DM is a metabolic disorder that can distort the activities of multiple physiological systems, including the reproductive system. Although different drugs have been designed for managing this disorder, these drugs have been reported to have negative side effects. Hence, this study was designed to explore the possible synergistic effect of vitamin D and exercise on T2DM-induced testicular dysfunction. Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomized into six (6) groups: control, diabetes untreated, diabetes treated with 1000 IU/kg of vitamin D, diabetes treated with 5 min/day of physical exercise, diabetes treated with vitamin D and exercise, diabetes treated with 180 mg/kg of metformin. T2DM induction led to a significant increase in FBS, lactate, and lactate dehydrogenase, and was reversed by vitamin D supplementation and exercise. Also, vitamin D and exercise synergistically blunted T2DM-induced oxido-inflammatory response evidenced by a significant decrease in testicular malondialdehyde, interleukin 1β, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha, and an increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and interleukin 10. These events were associated with a decrease in T2DM-induced increase in XO, UA, and Nf-κb and an increase in T2DM-induced decrease in Nrf2. Also, vitamin D and EX reversed the observed impairment in sperm quality and testicular histology following T2DM-induction. This study revealed the synergistic effect of vitamin D and exercise on T2DM-induced testicular dysfunction.

Unveiling the Chemistry of Citrus Peel: Insights into Nutraceutical Potential and Therapeutic Applications

The recent millennium has witnessed a notable shift in consumer focus towards natural products for addressing lifestyle-related disorders, driven by their safety and cost-effectiveness. Nutraceuticals and functional foods play an imperative role by meeting nutritional needs and offering medicinal benefits. With increased scientific knowledge and awareness, the significance of a healthy lifestyle, including diet, in reducing disease risk is widely acknowledged, facilitating access to a diverse and safer diet for longevity. Plant-based foods rich in phytochemicals are increasingly popular and effectively utilized in disease management. Agricultural waste from plant-based foods is being recognized as a valuable source of nutraceuticals for dietary interventions. Citrus peels, known for their diverse flavonoids, are emerging as a promising health-promoting ingredient. Globally, citrus production yields approximately 15 million tons of by-products annually, highlighting the substantial potential for utilizing citrus waste in phyto-therapeutic and nutraceutical applications. Citrus peels are a rich source of flavonoids, with concentrations ranging from 2.5 to 5.5 g/100 g dry weight, depending on the citrus variety. The most abundant flavonoids in citrus peel include hesperidin and naringin, as well as essential oils rich in monoterpenes like limonene. The peel extracts exhibit high antioxidant capacity, with DPPH radical scavenging activities ranging from 70 to 90%, comparable to synthetic antioxidants like BHA and BHT. Additionally, the flavonoids present in citrus peel have been found to have antioxidant properties, which can help reduce oxidative stress by 30% and cardiovascular disease by 25%. Potent anti-inflammatory effects have also been demonstrated, reducing inflammatory markers such as IL-6 and TNF-α by up to 40% in cell culture studies. These findings highlight the potential of citrus peel as a valuable source of nutraceuticals in diet-based therapies.

Optimising the recovery of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity from orange peels through solid-state fermentation

It is widely recognised that orange peels contain a considerable quantity of phenolics, primarily in the form of glycosides. The process of fermentation holds potential as a viable method for extracting phenolic compounds and facilitating their biotransformation into novel metabolites. The aim of this study was to assess the enhanced release of phenolic compounds through the process of solid-state fermentation of orange peels using microorganisms. Following a 6-day incubation period, the methanol extract obtained from the sample fermented with starter Banh men exhibited the highest concentration of total phenolic compounds (17.57 ± 0.34 mg GAE/g DW) and demonstrated the most significant DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity (55.03%). The Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis revealed that the predominant phenolic compounds in all fermented samples were flavonoid aglycones, specifically naringenin, hesperetin, and nobiletin. Conversely, in the unfermented orange peels, the major compound observed was the glycoside derivative hesperidin.

Naringin from sweet orange peel improves testicular function in high fat diet-induced diabetic rats by modulating xanthine oxidase/uric acid signaling and maintaining redox balance

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder affecting many organs, including the testis. Naringin from orange peel extract (OPE) is a flavanone with fertility-enhancing properties. Hence, this study was designed to establish the effect of naringin on T2DM-induced testicular dysfunction. Thirty male (30) Wistar rats were randomized into five groups control, diabetes, diabetes + naringin, diabetes + OPE, and diabetes + metformin. The administrations were via the oral route and lasted for 28 days.

RESULTS

Naringin ameliorated T2DM-induced increase in FBS and decrease in serum insulin. It also abrogated T2DM-induced decrease in sperm quality, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, estradiol, prolactin, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, naringin prevented a T2DM-induced increase in malonaldehyde, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, C-reactive protein, xanthine oxidase (XO), and uric acid (UA), it was accompanied by the restoration of normal testicular histoarchitecture.

CONCLUSIONS

Naringin prevented T2DM-induced testicular dysfunction by modulating XO/UA and restoring redox balance. Also, while the animals treated with OPE exhibited better ameliorative effects than their counterparts treated with naringin, the findings from this study showed that naringin would be a promising supplement for treating T2DM-induced male infertility.

Omega-3 fatty acid ameliorates bisphenol F-induced testicular toxicity by modulating Nrf2/NFkB pathway and apoptotic signaling

Introduction

Bisphenol F (BPF) has been shown to disrupt testicular functions via perturbation of testicular redox balance, while omega-3 fatty acid (O3FA) has been established to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, this study focused on the role and associated molecular mechanism of O3FA in BPF-induced testicular dysfunction in male Wistar rats.

Methods

Twenty-four (24) rats were randomly grouped after two weeks of acclimatization into four (4) groups (n=6/group); the vehicle-treated control group, BPF treated group received 30 mg/kg of BPF, and the intervention groups received 30 mg/kg BPF + 100 mg/kg O3FA (BPF+O3FA-L) and 30 mg/kg BPF + 300 mg/kg of O3FA (BPF+O3FA-H). All treatment lasted for 28 days.

Results

Low and high doses of O3FA ameliorated BPF-impaired sperm quality, and induced hormonal imbalance, accompanied by a distortion in testicular histology and elevated testicular injury markers. Furthermore, co-administration of BPF with both doses of O3FA blunted BPF-induced redox imbalance, inflammatory response, and apoptosis.

Discussions

In conclusion, our present findings show that O3FA improves testicular functions in BPF-treated rats by improving sperm quality and reproductive hormones via the maintenance of testicular redox balance.