Effects of 3‐Heptyl‐3,4,6‐trimethoxy‐3H‐isobenzofuran‐1‐one alone or/in association with cyclophosphamide on testicular function

Chemotherapeutic Mechanism of Action of the Synthetic Resorcinolic Methyl 3,5-dimethoxy-2-octanoylbenzoate

Resorcinolic lipids are described as potential examples of selective chemotherapeutic adjuvants that can enhance the effects of cyclophosphamide (CYC) while promoting cell death without causing DNA damage. Therefore, the current study attempted to describe how the resorcinolic lipid methyl 3,5-dimethoxy-2-octanoylbenzoate (AMS35BB) interacted with DNA (DNA docking) and how this compound affected genetic toxicology models and other biological characteristics when combined with CYC. We observed that AMS35BB, used alone (7.5 and 10 mg/kg), increases the frequency of genomic damage (comet assay) but not chromosomal damage (micronuclei assay), lowers phagocytosis, and promotes cell death in Swiss male mice. When used in association with CYC, AMS35BB can reduce the risk of genomic damage by up to 33.8% as well as chromosomal damage, splenic phagocytosis, cell death, and lymphocyte frequency. Molecular docking showed that AMS35BB had a higher affinity than the active metabolite of CYC for binding to the DNA double helix major groove. As a result, AMS35BB has the potential to be both an adjuvant when used in association with CYC and a therapeutic candidate for the development of a selective chemotherapeutic drug.

Testicular toxicity in mice exposed to terephthalic acid in utero and during lactation

Terephthalic acid (TPA) is a worldwide aromatic compound widely used to manufacture resins and the raw material for the polymerization reaction with ethylene glycol to produce polyethylene terephthalate, known as PET. The use of TPA extends to the synthesis of phthalates, plasticizers used in various industrialized products such as toys and cosmetics. The present study aimed to evaluate the testicular toxicity of terephthalic acid on male mice exposed in utero and during lactation to TPA in different developmental windows. The animals were treated intragastric with TPA at stock dispersal dosages corresponding to 0.0014 g/ml and 0.56 g/ml of TPA in 0.5% v/v carboxymethylcellulose as well as the control dose, composed solely of dispersion of carboxymethylcellulose (0.5% v/v). Four experimental windows were established: group I-treatment in utero, in the fetal period (gestational day-GD 10.5-18.5), with euthanasia at GD 18.5; group II-treatment in utero, in the fetal period (GD 10.5-18.5) and the lactational period (postnatal day (PND-15)), with euthanasia at 15 days; group III-treatment in utero in the fetal period (DG 10.5-18.5) with euthanasia at 70 days (age of sexual maturity, PND 70); group IV-treatment in utero, in the fetal period (GD 10.5-18.5) and the lactational period (PND-15), with euthanasia at 70 days (PND70). The results indicate that TPA changes the reproductive parameters (testicular weight, GI, penis size, and anogenital index) only at the dose of 0.56 g/ml in the fetal period. Data on the volumetric ratio of the testis elements show that the dispersion with the highest concentration of TPA significantly altered the blood vessel/capillary, lymphatic vessel, and connective tissue percentages. Only at the dose of 0.56 g/ml TPA was it effective in decreasing the Leydig and Sertoli cell numbers of the euthanized animals at GD 18.5. In group II, TPA increased the diameter and lumen of seminiferous tubules, which indicates that TPA accelerated the maturation process of Sertoli cells without changing the number and the nuclear volume of these cells. The Sertoli and Leydig cell numbers of the 70-day animals exposed to TPA in the gestational and lactational period were similar to the control. Therefore, the present study is the first in the literature to show that TPA presents a testicular toxicity during fetal (DG18.5) and postnatal life (PND15), without repercussion in adulthood (70 days).

Protective effects of sinapic acid against cyclophosphamide-induced testicular toxicity via inhibiting oxidative stress, caspase-3 and NF-kB activity in BALB/c mice

Cyclophosphamide (CP), as a chemotherapeutic agent, with the generation of oxidative stress leads to testicular toxicity. Sinapic acid (SA), as a phenylpropanoid compound has therapeutic activities. This research was planned to evaluate the improving effects of SA versus testicular injury induced by CP. Forty-eight mice were distributed into six groups: untreated, SA (5 and 10 mg/kg), CP (200 mg/kg) and CP + SA (5 and 10 mg/kg). SA was administrated for 7 successive days and CP was administered intraperitoneally on the 3rd day of study. On the 10th day of research, testicular toxicity was evaluated by sperm parameters test, tissue (oxidative stress parameters) and serum (testosterone) biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical (Caspase-3 and NF-kB) assays. The findings illustrated that CP induces atypical appearance in tissue structure, disorder of sperm parameters dysfunction, decrease of testosterone, oxidative stress (an increase of MDA and decrease of GSH), apoptosis and inflammation in testicular tissue. SA administration protected testis from oxidative stress and improves testosterone level and structure. Moreover, immunohistochemical findings also showed that SA can inhibit Caspase-3 and NF-kB activity. Data have confirmed that SA could protect testis structure and its functions against CP-induced injury through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic activities.

Straightforward synthesis of cytosporone analogs AMS35AA and AMS35BB

Cytosporones, a class of octaketide resorcinolic lipids, have drawn the attention of researchers for exhibiting a number of notable biological properties. Herein, we describe routes to synthesize the bioactive synthetic resorcinolic lipids AMS35AA and AMS35BB with excellent overall yields using 3,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid as the starting material. The methods proved remarkably efficient to achieve the target compounds and comprise the synthesis of AMS35AA catalyzed by ascorbic acid (vitamin C).