Carnitine partially protects the rat testis against the late damage produced by doxorubicin administered during pre-puberty

Core binding factor subunit β plays diverse and essential roles in the male germline

Much of the foundation for lifelong spermatogenesis is established prior to puberty, and disruptions during this developmental window negatively impact fertility long into adulthood. However, the factors that coordinate prepubertal germline development are incompletely understood. Here, we report that core-binding factor subunit-β (CBFβ) plays critical roles in prepubertal development and the onset of spermatogenesis. Using a mouse conditional knockout (cKO) approach, inactivation of Cbfb in the male germline resulted in rapid degeneration of the germline during the onset of spermatogenesis, impaired overall sperm production, and adult infertility. Utilizing a different Cre driver to generate another Cbfb cKO model, we determined that the function of CBFβ in the male germline is likely limited to undifferentiated spermatogonia despite expression in other germ cell types. Within undifferentiated spermatogonia, CBFβ regulates proliferation, survival, and overall maintenance of the undifferentiated spermatogonia population. Paradoxically, we discovered that CBFβ also distally regulates meiotic progression and spermatid formation but only with Cbfb cKO within undifferentiated spermatogonia. Spatial transcriptomics revealed that CBFβ modulates cell cycle checkpoint control genes associated with both proliferation and meiosis. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that core programs established within the prepubertal undifferentiated spermatogonia population are necessary for both germline maintenance and sperm production.

Effect of troxerutin on the expression of genes regulating mitochondrial biogenesis and microRNA-140 in doxorubicin-induced testicular toxicity

Background

Application of doxorubicin (DOX) in cancer patients is limited due to its dose-dependent toxicity to nontarget tissues such as testis and subsequent infertility. Due to limitation of our knowledge about the mechanisms of DOX toxicity in the reproductive system, reduction of DOX-induced testicular toxicity remains an actual and primary clinical challenge. Considering the potentials of troxerutin (TXR) in generating a protective phenotype in many tissues, we aimed to examine the effect of TXR on DOX-induced testicular toxicity by evaluating the histological changes and the expression of mitochondrial biogenesis genes and microRNA-140 (miR-140).

Materials and Methods

Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were divided in groups with/without DOX and/or TXR. DOX was injected intraperitoneally at 6 consecutive doses over 12 days (cumulative dose: 12 mg/kg). TXR (150 mg/kg/day; orally) was administered for 4 weeks before DOX challenge. One week after the last injection of DOX, testicular histopathological changes, spermatogenesis activity, and expression of mitochondrial biogenesis genes and miR-140 were determined.

Results

DOX challenge significantly increased testicular histopathological changes, decreased testicular expression profiles of sirtuin 1 (SIRT-1) and nuclear respiratory factor-2 (NRF-2), and increased expression of miR-140 (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01). Pretreatment of DOX-received rats with TXR significantly reversed testicular histopathological changes, spermatogenesis activity index, and the expression levels of SIRT-1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α), NRF-2, and miR-140 (P < 0.05 to P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Reduction of DOX-induced testicular toxicity following TXR pretreatment was associated with upregulation of SIRT-1/PGC-1α/NRF-2 profiles and better regulation of miR-140 expression. It seems that improving microRNA-mitochondrial biogenesis network can play a role in the beneficial effect of TXR on DOX-induced testicular toxicity.

Effects of chemotherapeutic agents on male germ cells and possible ameliorating impact of antioxidants

Treatment of cancer in young adults is associated with several side effects, particularly in the reproductive system. Detrimental effects of chemotherapy on the germ cells depend on many factors including primary semen parameters, the way of drug administration, the kind and dose of chemotherapeutic regimens, and the phase of spermatogenesis during the time of drug administration. Lack of appropriate fertility preservation treatments particularly in the affected children necessitates the introduction of methods to amend the harmful effects of chemotherapeutic agents on male germ cells. Several studies have assessed the toxic effects of chemotherapeutic agents in rodent models and tested a number of antioxidants to evaluate their possible impact on the preservation of sperm cells. In the present manuscript, we describe the effects of the mostly investigated chemotherapeutic drugs in this regard i.e., cisplatin, doxorubicin, paclitaxel, 5-fluorouracil, and cyclophosphamide. As several in vivo and in vitro studies have shown the impact of antioxidants on chemotherapy-induced damage of sperms, we also describe the protective effects of antioxidants in this regard.

Effects of dietary L-carnitine on puberty indices in the young breeder rooster

The aim of current study was to investigate the effect of dietary L-Carnitine (LC) in immature roosters on reproductive hormones, lipid profile and testicular histology at the time of maturity. Eighteen 12-wk-old breeder roosters (Ross 308) of similar weights were randomly allocated into 3 dietary treatments (LC-0: basic diet, LC-250: basic diet + 250 mg LC/kg of diet, LC-500: basic diet + 500 mg of LC/kg of diet) in 6 replicates. The feeding program and photoperiod regimen were performed based on ROSS 308 management handbook. Dietary LC supplementation markedly improved testicle weight and testicle index (p < 0.05). Comb height was also affected by LC supplementation (p < 0.05). The testicle weight and index, comb height, and shank lengths improved linearly with increasing levels of dietary LC (p < 0.05). The LC-250 and LC-500 diets significantly improved the number of sertoli cells (NSC), height epithelium seminiferous tubules (HEST), seminiferous tubules diameter (STD), spermiogenesis index (SI) and tubular differentiation index (TDI) of rooster's testis tissue (p < 0.05). The number of seminiferous tubules (NST) was affected by of the amount of LC (p < 0.05). The roosters on the LC-250 mg/kg diet had longer HEST compared to roosters that received the LC-500 mg/kg diet (p < 0.05). Testicular histology parameters increased in a linear and quadratic manner in response to increasing levels of LC (p < 0.05). Dietary LC significantly increased (p < 0.05) plasma concentrations of testosterone, GnRH, LH, FSH and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), but reduced the plasma concentration of Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL). However, no significant differences were observed between LC-250 and LC-500 groups in these parameters. Plasma testosterone, GnRH, LH, LDL and HDL were affected in a linear and quadratic manner in response to increasing levels of LC (p < 0.05). Similarly, FSH increased linearly with increasing dietary LC (p < 0.05). Thus, adding up to 250g of LC per kg of the rooster chicken can improve reproductive hormones, blood lipids and testicular histology parameters at the time of maturity.

Chemotherapy induced damage to spermatogonial stem cells in prepubertal mouse in vitro impairs long-term spermatogenesis

Chemotherapy can affect testis development of young boys with cancer, reducing the chances of fatherhood in adulthood. Studies using experimental models are needed to determine the damage caused by individual chemotherapy drugs in order to predict the risk of infertility and direct patients towards appropriate fertility preservation options. Here, we investigated the individual role of two drugs, cisplatin and doxorubicin, using an in vitro culture model of prepubertal (postnatal day 5) mouse testis that supports induction and maintenance of full spermatogenesis. Twenty-four hour exposure with either drug at clinically-relevant doses (0.25, 0.5 or 0.75 μg/mL for cisplatin, or 0.01, 0.03 or 0.05 μg/mL for doxorubicin), induced an acute significant loss of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs; PLZF+), proliferating SSCs (PLZF+BrdU+), total germ cells (MVH+), and spermatocytes (SCP3+) one week after chemotherapy exposure. By the time of the first (Week 4) and second (Week 8) waves of spermatogenesis, there was no longer any effect on SSC or proliferating SSC numbers in drug-exposed testis compared to untreated tissue: however, the populations of total germ cells and spermatocytes were still lower in the higher-dose cisplatin treated groups, along with a reduced frequency of round and elongated spermatids in both cisplatin- and doxorubicin-treated testis fragments. Overall, this study details a direct impairment of germ cell development following acute chemotherapy-induced damage during the prepubertal phase, most likely due to an effect on SSCs, using an in vitro culture system that successfully recapitulates key events of mouse spermatogenesis.

The protective role of l-carnitine on spermatogenesis after cisplatin treatment during prepubertal period in rats: A pathophysiological study

AIMS

As the spermatogenesis process is targeted by cisplatin (Cis) that changes testicular morphology, alters sperm quality, and hence causes male infertility. This study investigated the possible therapeutic effects of l-carnitine (LC) on Cis impaired spermatogenesis's establishment during the prepubertal phase.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-six prepubertal Sprague Dawley male rats were divided into four groups.

CONTROL GROUP

rats were injected with 0.9% saline solution intraperitoneally (i.p.). LC group: animals were injected for eight weeks, with 250 mg/kg/wk. LC (i.p.). Cis group: animals were injected with a single dose of 5 mg/kg Cis (i.p.). LC + Cis group: animals were pre-injected with LC 250 mg/kg 2 h before Cis injection. The rats were sacrificed at 37, 60, and 90 days old, and their testes were taken for biochemical, molecular, and histopathological studies. The motility, viability, morphology, and DNA fragmentation of sperm in adult rats were also measured.

KEY FINDINGS

Group treated with LC and Cis showed an increase in antioxidant and hormonal activity compared to the Cis treated group in the pre and post-pubertal period. Moreover, there was an increase in sperm survival, motility, and DNA integrity. Furthermore, LC showed an increase in the anti-apoptotic and chromatin remodeling genes and a decrease in the pro-inflammatory genes.

SIGNIFICANCE

LC could enhance the spermatogenesis process after exposure to Cis during the prepubertal phase by restoring the balance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant activity, improving hormonal activity, sperm quality and DNA integrity, promoting protamination and blood-testis barrier integrity, and maintaining the testicular architecture.

Protective effects of Ceratonia siliqua extract on protamine gene expression, testicular function, and testicular histology in doxorubicin-treated adult rats: An experimental study

BACKGROUND

Spermatogenesis is a complex process that takes place under the influence of many different genes.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of Ceratonia siliqua hydroalcoholic extract (CSHAE) on protamine gene expression, testicular function, and testicular histology in doxorubicin-treated rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

56 adult male rats with a age range of 2.5 to 3 months (210 ± 10 gr) were divided into seven groups (n = 8/each). A) Control group was left untreated; B) Sham group received 0.3 ml distilled water intraperitoneally, C) Negative control group received 3 mg/kg doxorubicin, intraperitoneally once a week for 28 days; and D) Positive control group received 600 mg/kg of CSHAE orally for 48 days; E, F, G) the experimental groups 1, 2, and 3 received 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg of CSHAE respectively orally, for 48 days, as well as 3 mg/kg doxorubicin once a week for 28 days. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used in the histological study of testes, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method was used in measuring serum levels of testosterone. Protamine gene expression was determined by real-Time PCR method.

RESULTS

The mean body weight, testicular weight, testicular volume, testosterone level (p = 0.022), the count of Leydig, spermatogonia, spermatocyte, and spermatid cells, as well as protamine gene expression (p = 0.008) were significantly increased in the experimental group 2 compared to the negative control group. The regeneration of testicular tissue was observed in the experimental group 2.

CONCLUSION

CSHAE has protective effect on doxorubicin-induced testicular injuries.

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.

A new thiocyanoacetamide (2-cyano-2-p-nitrophenyl-N-benzylthioamide) reduces doxorubicin-induced in vitro toxicity in Sertoli cells by decreasing apoptosis and autophagy

Despite conflicting data on doxorubicin (DOX) reproductive toxicity, its chemotherapeutic potential sustains its use to treat different types of cancer. This work was designed to study the protective effect of a newly synthesized thiocyanoacetamide (TA), in comparison with selenium (Se), against doxorubicin-induced in vitro toxicity in rat Sertoli cells (SCs). DOX was administered alone or in combination with Se or TA. The possible protective role of increased concentrations of TA (0.25, 0.5 and 1 mM) or Se (12, 25 and 50 μM) on SCs was tested against 1 μM of DOX. From this screening, only the least toxic doses of TA and Se were used for further analysis. DOX cytotoxicity, as well as its impact on SCs viability, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ_m), oxidative stress biomarkers, apoptosis and autophagy were assessed. Our results showed that DOX exerted its cytotoxic effect through a significant increase in cell death. DOX-mediated cell death was not related to autophagy nor to an overproduction of reactive oxygen species. It was rather due to apoptosis, as shown by the increased number of apoptotic cells and increased activity of caspase-3, or due to necrosis, as shown by the increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) extracellular activity. Still, Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression levels, as well as ΔΨ_m were not altered by the different treatments. Some individual doses of Se or TA induced a significant toxicity in SCs, however, when combined with DOX, there was a decrease in cell death, LDH extracellular activity, number of apoptotic cells and caspase-3 activity. Overall, our results indicate that DOX-mediated apoptosis in cultured SCs can possibly be averted through its association with specific doses of Se or TA. Nevertheless, TA showed a higher efficiency than Se in reducing DOX-induced toxicity in SCs by decreasing not only apoptosis, but also necrosis and autophagy.

Isolation, characterization, and therapeutic activity of bergenin from marlberry (Ardisia colorata Roxb.) leaf on diabetic testicular complications in Wistar albino rats

Bergenin is one of the phytochemical constituents in marlberry (Ardisia colorata Roxb.) having antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory properties. A. colorata has been used as an herbal medicine in Southeast Asia particularly in Northeast India to treat diabetes. Bergenin was isolated from methanol extract of A. colorata leaf (MEACL) by column chromatography and TLC profiling. Characterization and structural validation of bergenin were performed by spectroscopic analyses. A LC-ESI-MS/MS method was developed for the quantitation of bergenin and validated as per the guidelines of FDA and EMA. The validated method was successfully utilized to quantify bergenin concentration in MEACL samples. Therapeutic efficacy of bergenin was investigated on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by following standard protocols. Bergenin supplementation significantly improved the physiological and metabolic processes and in turn reverses diabetic testicular dysfunction via increasing serum testosterone concentrations and expression pattern of PCNA, improving histopathological and histomorphometric manifestations, modulating spermatogenic events and germ cell proliferation, restoring sperm quality, reducing sperm DNA damage, and balancing the antioxidant enzymes levels. Hence, A. colorata leaf is one of the alternate rich resources of bergenin and could be used as a therapeutic agent for diabetic testicular complications.

Sperm DNA Damage in Cancer Patients

Fertility is a growing healthcare issue for a rising number of cancer survivors. In men, cancer itself and its treatment can negatively affect spermatogenesis by targeting the dividing spermatogonia and their cellular environment, ultimately leading to a reduction of testicular germ cells and sperm count. Experimental data and prospective longitudinal studies have shown that sperm production can recover after cancer treatment. But despite this, yet unpredictable, recovery in sperm production, cancer survivors are more at risk to produce sperm with aneuploidy, DNA damage, abnormal chromatin structure, and epigenetic defects even 2 years post-treatment. Sperm DNA alteration is of clinical concern, as these patients may father children or seek assisted reproduction technologies (ART) using gametes with damaged genome that could result in adverse progeny outcomes. Interestingly, large cohort studies revealed lower birth rate but no significant impact on the health of the children born from male cancer survivors (naturally or using ART). Nevertheless, a better understanding of how cocktail of chemotherapy and new anticancer agents affect spermatogenesis and sperm quality is needed to reduce side effects. Moreover, developing new fertility preservation strategies is essential as sperm cryopreservation before treatment is currently the only option but does not apply for prepubertal/young postpubertal patients.

How does chemotherapy treatment damage the prepubertal testis?

Chemotherapy treatment is a mainstay of anticancer regimens, significantly contributing to the recent increase in childhood cancer survival rates. Conventional cancer therapy targets not only malignant but also healthy cells resulting in side effects including infertility. For prepubertal boys, there are currently no fertility preservation strategies in use, although several potential methods are under investigation. Most of the current knowledge in relation to prepubertal gonadotoxicity has been deduced from adult studies; however, the prepubertal testis is relatively quiescent in comparison to the adult. This review provides an overview of research to date in humans and animals describing chemotherapy-induced prepubertal gonadotoxicity, focusing on direct gonadal damage. Testicular damage is dependent upon the agent, dosage, administration schedule and age/pubertal status at time of treatment. The chemotherapy agents investigated so far target the germ cell population activating apoptotic pathways and may also impair Sertoli cell function. Due to use of combined chemotherapy agents for patients, the impact of individual drugs is hard to define, however, use of in vivo and in vitro animal models can overcome this problem. Furthering our understanding of how chemotherapy agents target the prepubertal testis will provide clarity to patients on the gonadotoxicity of different drugs and aid in the development of cytoprotective agents.

In vitro study of doxorubicin-induced oxidative stress in spermatogonia and immature Sertoli cells

Pediatric chemotherapy treatments can impair long-term male fertility. Unfortunately, no fertility preservation solution is available for pre-pubertal boys. Studies suggest that doxorubicin, used against pediatric cancers, induces oxidative stress in the testis. However, the targeted testicular cell types remain unknown. The goal of this study was to determine whether doxorubicin can induce oxidative stress in rat spermatogonia (GC-6Spg) and immature Sertoli (Ser-W3) cell lines, and to assess their protection by antioxidants. Using the MTT assay, we have shown that doxorubicin induces a time- and dose-dependent cytotoxicity in these two cell lines, Ser-W3 being more sensitive than GC-6Spg. After 3 h of treatment, reactive oxygen species and nuclear 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine increase in Ser-W3, but not in GC-6Spg. Moreover, after 6 h of treatment, intracellular reduced glutathione levels decrease significantly in Ser-W3 cells. These results show that doxorubicin induces oxidative stress in the Ser-W3 cell line. However, a depletion in glutathione does not affect their survival, and supplementation only offers a weak protection after exposure to doxorubicin, suggesting that the glutathione system is not essential for Ser-W3 cell line's defense against doxorubicin. On the other hand, among four antioxidants selected from the literature, none reduces the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin in Ser-W3 cells. Together, our data suggest that oxidative stress may not be a major pathway for doxorubicin's cytotoxicity in GC-6Spg and Ser-W3 lines. This study provides new insights in the mechanisms by which chemotherapies affect the pre-pubertal testis, with the long-term goal to help improve the quality of life of pediatric cancer survivors.

Cancer treatment in childhood and testicular function: the importance of the somatic environment

Testicular function and future fertility may be affected by cancer treatment during childhood. Whilst survival of the germ (stem) cells is critical for ensuring the potential for fertility in these patients, the somatic cell populations also play a crucial role in providing a suitable environment to support germ cell maintenance and subsequent development. Regulation of the spermatogonial germ-stem cell niche involves many signalling pathways with hormonal influence from the hypothalamo-pituitary-gonadal axis. In this review, we describe the somatic cell populations that comprise the testicular germ-stem cell niche in humans and how they may be affected by cancer treatment during childhood. We also discuss the experimental models that may be utilized to manipulate the somatic environment and report the results of studies that investigate the potential role of somatic cells in the protection of the germ cells in the testis from cancer treatment.

Testicular toxicity and sperm quality following copper exposure in Wistar albino rats: ameliorative potentials of L-carnitine

Copper is a persistent toxic and bio-accumulative heavy metal of global concern. Continuous exposure of copper compounds of different origin is the most common form of copper poisoning and in turn adversely altering testis morphology and function and affecting sperm quality. L-carnitine has a vital role in the spermatogenesis, physiology of sperm, sperm production and quality. This study was designed to examine whether the detrimental effects of long-term copper consumption on sperm quality and testis function of Wistar albino rat could be prevented by L-carnitine therapy. The parameters included were sperm quality (concentration, viability, motility, and morphology), histopathology, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum urea, serum creatinine, serum testosterone and testis antioxidant enzyme levels (superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S-transferase), and biomarkers of oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation and expression of heat shock protein 70 in testis). Three-month-old male Wistar rats (n = 30) were divided into six groups as group 1 (G1, 0.9% saline control), group 2 (G2, CuSO4 200 mg/kg dissolved in 0.9% saline water), groups 3 and 4 (G3 and G4, L-carnitine 50 and 100 mg/kg dissolved in 0.9% saline water, respectively), and groups 5 and 6 (G5 and G6, CuSO₄ 200 mg/kg plus L-carnitine, 50 and 100 mg/kg dissolved in 0.9% saline water, respectively). Doses of copper (200 mg/kg) and L-carnitine (50 and 100 mg/kg) alone and in combinations along with untreated control were administered orally for 30 days. The following morphological, physiological, and biochemical alterations were observed due to chronic exposure of copper (200 mg/kg) to rats in comparison with the untreated control: (1) generation of oxidative stress through rise in testis lipid peroxidation (12.21 vs 3.5 nmol MDA equivalents/mg protein) and upregulation of heat shock protein (overexpression of HSP70 in testis), (2) liver and kidney dysfunction [elevation in serum ALT (81.65 vs 48.08 IU/L), AST (156.82 vs 88.25 IU/L), ALP (230.54 vs 148.16 IU/L), urea (12.65 vs 7.45 mmol/L), and creatinine (80.61 vs 48.25 μmol/L) levels], (3) significant decrease in body (99.64 vs 106.09 g) and organ weights (liver-3.48 vs 4.99 g; kidney-429.29 vs 474.78 mg; testes-0.58 vs 0.96 g), (4) imbalance in hormonal and antioxidant enzyme concentrations [significant decline in serum testosterone (0.778 vs 3.226 ng/mL), superoxide dismutase (3.07 vs 8.55 μmol/mg protein), and glutathione-S-transferase (59.28 vs 115.58 nmol/mg protein) levels], (5) severe alterations in the testis histomorphology [sloughed cells (90.65%, score 4 vs 15.65%, score 1), vacuolization (85.95%, score 4 vs 11.45%, score 1), cellular debris along with degenerative characteristics, accentuated germ cell depletion in the seminiferous epithelium, severe damage of spermatogonia and Sertoli cells (73.56%, score 3 vs 0%, score 1)], (6) suppression of spermatogenic process [hypospermatogenesis (low Jhonsen testicular biopsy score 4 vs 9.5), decrease in tubules size (283.75 vs 321.25 μm in diameter), and no. of germ cells (81.8 vs 148.7/100 tubules), Leydig cells (5.2 vs 36.65/100 tubules), and Sertoli cells (8.1 vs 13.5/100 tubules)], (7) sperm transit time was shorter in caput and cauda and ensued in incomplete spermatogenic process and formation of immature sperm leading to infertility, (8) sperm quality was affected significantly [decreased daily sperm production (13.21 vs 26.9 × 10⁶ sperms/mL), sperm count (96.12 vs 154.25 × 10⁶/g), sperm viability (26.88 vs 91.65%), and sperm motility (38.48 vs 64.36%)], and (9) increase of head (32.82 vs 2.01%) and tail (14.85 vs 0.14%) morphologic abnormalities and DNA fragmentation index (88.37 vs 11.11%). Oxidative stress and their related events appear to be a potential mechanism involved in copper testicular toxicity and L-carnitine supplementation significantly modulated the possible adverse effects of copper on seminiferous tubules damage, testes function, spermatogenesis, and sperm quality. It was validated that the use of L-carnitine at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg protects against copper-induced testicular tissue damage and acts as a therapeutic agent for copper heavy metal toxicity.

Resveratrol attenuates reproductive alterations in type 1 diabetes-induced rats

The progression of diabetes mellitus leads to several complications including overproduction of reactive oxygen species and reproductive alterations. As resveratrol (RES) is a powerful anti-oxidant and an anti-apoptotic compound, we hypothesized that side effects of type-1 diabetes (DM1) on male reproduction could be reduced by the RES treatment. Eighty-four prepubertal male rats were distributed into seven groups: sham-control (SC), RES-treated (R), resveratrol-vehicle-treated (RV), diabetic (D), diabetic-insulin-treated (DI), diabetic-RES-treated (DR), diabetic-insulin and RES-treated (DIR). DM1 was induced by a single intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) injection (65 mg/kg) on the 30th day postpartum (dpp). Animals of DR, DIR and R groups received 150 mg/day of RES by gavage for 43 consecutive days (from the 33 to 75 dpp). DI and DIR rats received subcutaneous injections of insulin (1 U/100 g b.w./day) from 5th day after the DM1 induction. The blood glucose level was monitored. At 75 dpp, the euthanasia was performed for morphometric and biometric testicular analyses, spermatic evaluation and hormonal doses. In the D group, the blood glucose level was higher than in the DR, DI and DIR groups. Besides morphometric testicular measurements, testosterone and estradiol doses were lower in D group than in DR and DIR groups; LH dose was also lower than in DR. The preputial separation age was delayed in diabetes-induced groups. The DR and DIR groups showed an improvement in sperm mitochondrial activity, epididymal sperm counts and the frequency of morphologically normal sperms. RES treatment improved glycaemic level, sperm quantitative and qualitative parameters and the hormonal profile in DM1-induced rats and seems to be a good reproductive protector.

Ameliorative effects of l-carnitine on rats raised on a diet supplemented with lead acetate

Lead intoxication has been a major health hazard in humans. It affects people at all ages. Its toxicity is associated with various organs of the body and affects different metabolic pathways. Based on histological data, l-carnitine reduced the severity of tissue damage produced as a result of exposure of rats to lead acetate. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the underlying mechanism of protection offered by l-carnitine against lead acetate intoxication using male Sprague-Dawley rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups with ten rats in each. The first group (G1) served as the control group and animals received standard diet only. The second group (G2) received lead acetate in their diet. The third group (G3) was the l-carnitine treated group and received the normal standard diet supplemented with l-carnitine. While the fourth group (G4) had a diet supplemented with both lead acetate and l-carnitine. At the end of each experiment, blood (serum and whole blood) were collected from each animal and analyzed for the following parameters: serum testosterone levels, serum nitric oxide and serum malondialdehyde. This is in addition to looking at the enzymatic activities of two important enzymes (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and on (glutathione reductase) which are indicative of the antioxidant activities in the whole blood. The results indicated that l-carnitine will counteract the undesirable effects of lead intoxication. It exerted its antioxidant potential by reducing the production of ROS and scavenging free radicals by maintaining and protecting the level of the of antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and glutathione peroxidase. Conclusion:l-Carnitine may play an important role in reversing the undesirable effects of lead intoxication. Future studies should be conducted to see whether such an effect is applicable in humans exposed to lead poising.