Effects of losartan on experimental varicocele-induced testicular germ cell apoptosis

Receptor mediated targeting of EGF-conjugated alginate-PAMAM nanoparticles to lung adenocarcinoma: 2D/3D in vitro and in vivo evaluation

Carboplatin (cis-diamine (1,1-cyclobutandicarboxylaso)‑platinum (II)) is a second-generation antineoplastic drug, which is widely used for chemotherapy of lung, colon, breast, cervix, testicular and digestive system cancers. Although preferred over cisplatin due to the lower incidence of nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity, efficient carboplatin delivery remains as a major challenge. In this study, carboplatin loaded alginate- poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) hybrid nanoparticles (CAPs) with mean sizes of 192.13 ± 4.15 nm were synthesized using a microfluidic platform, then EGF was conjugated to the surface of CAPs (EGF-CAPs) for the receptor-targeted delivery. Hence, increased FITC+ cell counts were observed in A549 spheroids after EGF-CAP treatment compared to CAP in the 3D cellular uptake study. As such, the cytotoxicity of EGF-CAP was approximately 2-fold higher with an IC50 value of 35.89 ± 10.37 μg/mL compared to the CAPs in A549 spheroids. Based on in vivo experimental animal model, anti-tumor activities of the group treated with CAP decreased by 61 %, whereas the group treated with EGF-CAP completely recovered. Additionally, EGF-CAP application was shown to induce apoptotic cell death. Our study provided a new strategy for designing a hybrid nanoparticle for EGFR targeted carboplatin delivery with improved efficacy both in vitro and in vivo applications.

Characterization of varicocele-induced animal models: Potential role of inflammasome complex in the varicocele pathophysiology

Varicocele mechanisms and its impact in testicular dysfunction has been studied in order to understand the pathophysiology involved in this disease. However, study designs using testicular tissues from varicocele patients are restricted due to ethical limitations. Therefore, the use of animal models, mainly rats, that mimics varicocele and its effects is an option to develop new approaches. The surgical technique, that induces the varicocele in rats, is based on the partial obstruction of the left renal vein, leading to a dilation in the left spermatic vein and consequently to the pampiniform plexus, resulting in varicocele-induced condition. Thus, the study of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in varicocele development can be addressed in depth. Besides the animal model goal to uncover the exact varicocele pathophysiology, varicocele induced models are the best options to develop new non-surgical and less invasive therapies. Various animal model studies designed and investigated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents to face varicocele conditions. Minding this fact, we tried to discuss a newly uncovered complex in varicocele condition, known as inflammasome complex. Taking into consideration the possible inflammatory state present in varicocele, the inflammasome complex has been proposed to be involved in the pathophysiology of this disease.

Dracaena arborea (Dracaenaceae) Increases Sexual Hormones and Sperm Parameters, Lowers Oxidative Stress, and Ameliorates Testicular Architecture in Rats with 3 Weeks of Experimental Varicocele

Varicocele is a disease characterized by an abnormal dilation of the pampiniform plexus that drains the testis. The main objective of this work was to evaluate the curative effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Dracaena arborea on some reproductive and antioxidant markers in rats with experimental varicocele. Following varicocele induction, rats (5 per group) were randomly partitioned into untreated varicocele, vitamin E-treated (150 mg/kg), aqueous extract-treated (500 mg/kg), and ethanolic extract-treated (100 mg/kg) animals. Two other groups served as normal and sham-operated. After 2 or 4 weeks of treatments, body and sex organ weights, spermatozoa characteristics, antioxidant status, NO level, sex hormones, and testis histology were measured. Animals with 3 weeks of varicocele showed a significant (p < 0.05–0.001) decrease in body and sex organ weights, total proteins, sperm characteristics, testosterone concentration, SOD, catalase, and total peroxidase activities. An increase in the plasmatic FSH, LH, and testicular MDA and NO concentrations was also recorded. Moreover, marked disorganization of the testicular architecture was observed. Treatment with D. arborea significantly reversed these impairments due to varicocele. For instance, after 4 weeks, treatment with aqueous extract of D. arborea significantly (p < 0.05–0.001) increased testes and epididymis weights, sperm viability (89.12 ± 1.09 vs 68.22 ± 1.42), sperm density (148.50 ± 2.59 vs 110.25 ± 2.51), and sperm motility (68.16 ± 2.39 vs 55.88 ± 3.20) in the left side, compared with varicocele-untreated rats. The extract also significantly (p < 0.05–0.001) decreased malondialdehyde level (2.19 ± 0.04 vs 3.50 ± 0.13) but elevated catalase (0.97 ± 0.03 vs 0.55 ± 0.03), SOD (0.5 ± 0.03 vs 0.15 ± 0.03), and peroxidase (65.80 ± 2.9 vs 40.95 ± 2.44) activities. Present results showed that D. arborea extracts possess antioxidant effects and improve sperm quality in male rats with an existing varicocele.

Dracaena arborea improves sperm characteristics and antioxidant enzymes in adult male rats with experimental varicocele

Objective:

We evaluated the preventive effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Dracaena arborea on sperm characteristics and oxidative stress markers in adult male rats with varicocele.

Methods:

Thirty-six male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into 6 groups (6 animals/group) and treated for 30 days as follows: (1), normal rats receiving distilled water (10 ml/kg); (2), sham operated rats receiving distilled water (10 ml/kg); (3), varicocele rats receiving distilled water (10 ml/kg); (4), varicocele rats receiving vitamin E (150 mg/kg); (5-6), varicocele rats administered respectively with aqueous (500 mg/kg) and ethanolic (100 mg/kg) extracts of D. arborea. All rats (except normal and sham-operated groups) underwent varicocele induction. At the end of the treatment period, sexual organ weights, oxidative stress, sperm characteristics and some biochemical parameters were measured.

Results:

A significant decrease (p<0.01) in sperm density (137.81±7.76 vs. 175.83±4.86), sperm motility (55.43±4.49 vs. 77.96± 3.15) and sperm normality (44.75±2.80 vs. 79.25±1.84) was noticed in varicocele-untreated rats compared with controls. Varicocele also induced oxidative stress by decreasing superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities, and increasing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. These alterations were prevented by D. arborea. For instance, the aqueous extract of D. arborea (500 mg/kg) significantly increased (p<0.05-0.001) testes and epididymis weights, sperm viability and sperm motility, while the ethanolic extract (100 mg/kg) increased sperm normality compared with varicocele-untreated rats. D. arborea extracts also decreased MDA levels, but elevated catalase activity.

Conclusions:

Dracaena arborea prevents the deleterious effects of varicocele and could be considered as an alternative treatment of this physiopathology.

Bisphenol A decreases expression of Insulin-like factor 3 and induces histopathological changes in the Testes of Rats

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical agent known to have detrimental reproductive and developmental effects. The tissue-specific impacts of BPA exposures and target tissues sensitiveness to BPA are still unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the short- and long-term dose-dependent toxic effects of BPA on rat testes. Forty-eight Wistar albino male rats were divided into four groups each containing 12 rats. To induce toxicity, BPA was administered orally at three different dosages (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg) for 14 and 28 days, respectively. Testis tissues were examined using light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and biochemical methods. Serum testosterone (T) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were measured. Additionally, insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) as a marker of Leydig cell function was evaluated immunohistochemically. Groups administered high doses of BPA showed severe degenerations such as testicular atrophy, spermatogenic arrest, and interstitial edema in testis. Also, a significant decrease in INSL3 immunoreactivity and serum LH and T levels was found. The results indicated that both increased exposure time and dosage of BPA caused more serious detrimental effects on testes in the rat. Decreased INSL3 and T levels was evidence of Leydig cell function impairment due to BPA.

Seminal levels of angiotensin II and angiotensin II type 2 receptor expression on spermatozoa in varicocele patients: Relation to fertility status

Several theories were proposed to explain the pathophysiology of varicocele-related infertility seen in some patients. Our aim was to study the levels of angiotensin II in semen and angiotensin II type 2 receptor expression on spermatozoa in varicocele patients in relation to their fertility status and to evaluate the influence of varicocelectomy on their levels in infertile varicocele patients. Thirty fertile and 30 infertile varicocele patients and 30 healthy controls were subjected to measurement of reproductive hormones, semen analysis, measurement of seminal angiotensin II and evaluation of angiotensin II type 2 receptor expression on spermatozoa. Infertile varicocele patients underwent varicocelectomy and were re-evaluated for the same parameters after the operation. Sperm concentration, morphology, progressive motility, seminal angiotensin II and angiotensin II type 2 receptor expression were significantly lower in infertile varicocele patients compared with the other groups. Post-operative values showed significant increase in the studied parameters compared with the pre-operative values but not to other two groups. A significant positive correlation between angiotensin II type 2 receptor expression and progressive motility was detected in all studied groups. In conclusion, dysregulation of angiotensin II and angiotensin II type 2 receptor in varicocele patients may be involved in varicocele-related infertility.

Protective effects of tribulus terrestris extract and angiotensin blockers on testis steroidogenesis in copper overloaded rats

The rational of the current study was to assess whether Tribulus terrestris extract (TTE) could alleviate long-term copper (Cu) overload-induced testicular dysfunction compared to enalapril and losartan. Rats were administered either vehicle (control group, n = 10) or copper sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO₄·5H₂O, 200 mg/kg, p.o) for 90 days (n = 40). Cu-treated rats were randomized into four equal groups. One group was left untreated (Cu group) while the remaining three groups were daily co-treated with one of the following treatments along with CuSO4: TTE (10 mg/kg, p.o); enalapril (30 mg/kg, p.o); losartan (10 mg/kg, p.o). Excess Cu intake resulted in Cu overload coupled with a significant elevation in systolic blood pressure and serum angiotensin II levels along with a reduction in serum nitric oxide level. All concomitant treatments led to an alleviation of such deleterious effects. However, only losartan failed to ameliorate angiotensin II elevation. Additionally, all treatments protected the testes against Cu-overload-elicited zinc depletion and oxidative stress. Regarding reproductive function, the relative weights of testes, serum levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone; the expression of steroidogenic genes; the protein levels of angiotensin II type 1 receptor and angiotensin converting enzyme 1, in addition to its activity, they were significantly reduced. Amongst all treatments, only TTE and E were able to revert these reproductive changes. In conclusion TTE and E were able to protect against Cu overload-induced impairment of testicular steroidogenesis. Thus, they might be considered as prophylactic drugs of choice against hypertension and testicular dysfunction to ameliorate Cu overload risk.

14-3-3 epsilon plays an important role in testicular germ cell apoptosis: A functional proteomic study of experimental varicocele

The latest perspective indicates that apoptotic dysregulation is an important mechanism in male infertility induced by varicocele. To elucidate the molecular mechanism of apoptosis caused by varicocele, we used proteomics (2D-MALDI-TOF MS) to identify the altered proteins in the testes of experimental varicocele rats compared with the control. Here, 21 significantly different protein spots were detected by proteomics technology. 14-3-3 epsilon (14-3-3ε) was our subsequent research target because of its function in apoptosis. The expression of 14-3-3ε in rat testes was confirmed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry, and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) method was used to analyse the apoptosis of germ cells. GC-1 spg cells transfected with small interfering RNA were used to confirm the function of 14-3-3ε in vitro. 14-3-3ε protein expression decreased, accompanied by a higher apoptosis index in rat testes of the varicocele group. Furthermore, 14-3-3ε siRNA-treated GC-1 spg cells caused the upregulation of the apoptotic rate detected by flow cytometry. The expression of Bax and Bcl-2 was found to be regulated by 14-3-3ε in vitro. Our investigation demonstrated the pro-apoptotic function of the downregulation of 14-3-3ε, which may play an important role in germ cell apoptosis induced by varicocele.

Effects of Osteocalcin on Synthesis of Testosterone and INSL3 during Adult Leydig Cell Differentiation

Proliferation and differentiation of adult Leydig cells are mainly completed in puberty. In many studies, apart from normal postnatal development process, it is widely indicated that, through administrating EDS, Leydig cell population is eliminated and regenerated. It is believed that osteocalcin released from osteoblasts, which is responsible for modulating bone metabolism, induces testosterone production in Leydig cells, independent of the HPG axis. In addition, INSL3 produced by Leydig cells, such as testosterone, plays a critical role in bone metabolism and is known to reflect the development process and functional capacities of Leydig cells. This study is aimed at investigating OC-mediated testosterone regulation and INSL3 synthesis during differentiation of adult Leydig cells that are independent of LH. For this purpose, male rats were divided into 2 groups: prepubertal normal rats and adult EDS-injected rats. Each group was divided into 4 subgroups in which GnRH antagonist or OC was applied. After adult Leydig cells completed their development, testicular tissue samples obtained from the sacrificed rats were examined by light-electron microscopic, immunohistochemical, and biochemical methods. Slight upregulation in 3βHSD, INSL3, and GPRC6A expressions along with the increase in serum testosterone levels was observed in groups treated with osteocalcin against GnRH antagonist. In addition, biochemical and microscopic findings in osteocalcin treated groups were similar to those in control groups. While there was no significant difference in the number of Leydig cells reported, the presence of a significant upregulation in INSL3 and GPRC6A expressions and the increase in serum testosterone and ucOC levels were observed. After evaluation of findings altogether, it is put forward that, for the first time in this study, although osteocalcin treatment made no significant difference in the number of Leydig cells, it increased the level of testosterone through improving the function of existing adult Leydig cells during normal postnatal development process and post-EDS regeneration. This positive correlation between osteocalcin-testosterone and osteocalcin-INSL3 is concluded to be independent of LH at in vivo conditions.

Impact of intranasal application of nerve growth factor on the olfactory epithelium in rats with chemically induced diabetes

Recent studies suggest that nerve growth factor (NGF) protects olfactory cells and axons from injury in vitro. Eighteen Wistar-Albino rats randomly divided into three groups: control group, diabetic group without NGF, and diabetic with NGF. Intranasal NGF (6 µg/day) was administered over a 5-day period. At the end of 30 days, the olfactory epithelium (OE) of NGF-applied diabetic rats regenerated, the epithelium thickness was significantly higher, and caspase-3 expression was not significantly different from the control. The current results demonstrate that intranasally administered NGF significantly reversed OE morphological changes in diabetes by decreasing diabetes-related cell death and inflammation.

Autophagy may play an important role in varicocele

The present study aimed to determine the expression of autophagy and investigate whether the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α)/BCL2 interacting protein (BNIP3)/Beclin-1 autophagy signaling pathway serves an important role in activating autophagy in varicocele (VC) rat testes cells. Furthermore, the current study aimed to explain the possible association between autophagy and apoptosis. A total of 48 adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into group A (control), group B (VC 15-day), group C (VC 30-day) and group D (VC 45-day), with 12 rats in each group. The rats in group A did not receive any interventions, and in groups B, C, and D the VC model was established simultaneously. At 0, 15, 30, and 45 days, an orchidectomy on the left testes was performed in groups A-D, each on its respective day. Transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the expression of autophagy. Compared with groups A and B, it was demonstrated that the expression of autophagy in groups C, and D was significantly increased. Hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that as the rats survived VC longer, the testicular tissue damage became more serious. Furthermore, the Johnson score revealed that VC impaired the spermeiogenesis function of the male rats. Additionally, it was demonstrated that the apoptosis index of the seminiferous epithelia cells in VC rat testes increased over time, as measured using TUNEL staining. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that as the VC was prolonged, the expression of HIF-1α gradually increased while the expression of (apoptosis regulator Bcl-2) Bcl-2 gradually decreased. Furthermore, western blot analysis revealed that the protein expression of Bcl-2 decreased and apoptosis regulator Bax increased. Furthermore, HIF-1α, BNIP3, Beclin1 and microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 α (LC3)II/LC3I expression gradually increased. However, significant increases in Beclin 1 and LC3II/LC3I were only observed between the day 0 and day 30 groups. In addition, the expression of p62 significantly increased between day 0 and day 15, but gradually decreased between day 15 and day 45. The results of the present study revealed that VC can lead to testicular tissue hypoxia, and that the HIF-1α/BNIP3/Beclin1 autophagy signaling pathway may upregulate autophagy in VC rats testes. Thus, the association between autophagy and apoptosis may serve an important role in male infertility caused by VC.