Antioxidant properties of coenzyme Q10-pretreated mouse pre-antral follicles derived from vitrified ovaries

The effect of Coenzyme Q10 on mitochondrial biogenesis in mouse ovarian follicles during in vitro culture

The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on the expression of the Transcription Factor A Mitochondrial (Tfam) gene and mtDNA copy number in preantral follicles (PFs) of mice during in vitro culture. To conduct this experimental study, PFs were isolated from 14-day-old National Medical Research Institute mice and cultured in the presence of 50 µm CoQ10 for 12 days. On the 12th day, human chorionic gonadotropin was added to stimulate ovulation. The fundamental parameters, including preantral follicle developmental rate and oocyte maturation, were evaluated. Additionally, the Tfam gene expression and mtDNA copy number of granulosa cells and oocytes were assessed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results revealed that CoQ10 significantly increased the diameter of PFs, survival rate, antrum formation, and metaphase II (MII) oocytes (P < 0.05). Moreover, in the CoQ10-treated groups, the Tfam gene expression in granulosa cells and oocytes increased considerably compared with the control group. The mtDNA copy number of granulosa cells and oocytes cultured in the presence of CoQ10 was substantially higher compared with the control groups (P < 0.05). The addition of CoQ10 to the culture medium enhances the developmental competence of PFs during in vitro culture by upregulating Tfam gene expression and increasing mtDNA copy number in oocyte and granulosa cells.

The Combination of Estradiol and N-Acetylcysteine Reduces Ischemia-Reperfusion Injuries of Mice Autografted Ovarian Tissue

Ischemia-reperfusion injuries are important issues after ovarian tissue transplantation (OTT). Our study examined the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and estradiol (E2) on mouse ovarian autografts. Mice (6-8 weeks) were divided into ovarian autograft as follows: Control: fresh OTT; Sham: cryopreserved/warmed OTT; NAC: cryopreserved/warmed OTT with NAC treatment; E2: cryopreserved/warmed OTT with E2 treatment; NAC+E2: cryopreserved/warmed OTT with the treatment of NAC and E2. In all groups, grafts were harvested on days 2, 7, and 28 after transplantation to evaluate histological parameters, inflammation relative to genes expression, and oxidative status. Histological analysis showed that NAC, E2, and a combination of NAC+E2 significantly increased the primordial, preantral, and antral follicular number. When NAC was used, it significantly reduced the expression of Tnf-α and Fgf-2, whereas it increased Il-1β, Il-6, and Vegf expression levels. The levels of Il-6, Fgf-2, and VEGF were dramatically increased in the E2-treated group. The combination of NAC and E2 significantly increased levels of Il-1β, Il-6, Fgf-2, and Vegf. NAC and E2 alone or in combination significantly increased total antioxidant capacity but did not affect the superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. In conclusion, after transplantation, NAC and E2 alone or in combination, could improve follicular development and angiogenesis as well as decline inflammation and ovarian oxidative damage.

Coenzyme Q10 Stimulate Reproductive Vatality

Female infertility and pregnancy maintenance are associate with various factors, including quantity and quality of oocytes, genital inflammation, endometriosis, and other diseases. Women are even diagnosed as unexplained infertility or unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion when failed to achieve pregnancy with current treatment, which are urgent clinical issues need to be addressed. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a lipid-soluble electron carrier in the mitochondrial electron transport chain. It is not only essential for the mitochondria to produce energy, but also function as an antioxidant to maintain redox homeostasis in the body. Recently, the capacity of CoQ10 to reduce oxidative stress (OS), enhance mitochondrial activity, regulate gene expression and inhibit inflammatory responses, has been discovered as a novel adjuvant in male reproductive performance enhancing in both animal and human studies. Furthermore, CoQ10 is also proved to regulate immune balance, antioxidant, promote glucose and lipid metabolism. These properties will bring highlight for ovarian dysfunction reversing, ovulation ameliorating, oocyte maturation/fertilization promoting, and embryonic development optimizing. In this review, we systematically discuss the pleiotropic effects of CoQ10 in female reproductive disorders to investigate the mechanism and therapeutic potential to provide a reference in subsequent studies.

Effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields and N-acetylcysteine on transplantation of vitrified mouse ovarian tissue

In this experimental study, adult female NMRI mice were randomly assigned to five groups: control ;(fresh ovarian transplantation, OT); sham ;(vitrified OT); NAC ;(vitrified OT treated with N-acetyl cysteine, NAC); EMF ;(vitrified OT treated with pulsed electromagnetic fields, PEMF); and NAC+EMF ;(vitrified OT combined with NAC and PEMF). We conducted histological assessments to evaluate follicle reservation and vascularization. Furthermore, we examined the relative expression of Fgf-2, Vegf, Tnf-α, Il-6, Il-1, and Cd31 genes on days 2 and 7 after OT. Additionally, we measured total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as well as the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX). Our results demonstrated that NAC, PEMF, and NAC+PEMF treatments significantly increased the number of follicles. Moreover, we observed a more pronounced development of vascularization in the NAC, PEMF, and PEMF+NAC groups. The relative expression levels of Fgf-2, Vegf, Tnf-α, Il-1β, and Il-6 were significantly elevated in the NAC, PEMF, and NAC+PEMF groups. Notably, TAC levels decreased significantly in the NAC group compared to the control group. Additionally, the MDA level showed a significant decrease in the PEMF+NAC group when compared to the other groups. Overall, the combination of NAC and PEMF exhibited a synergistic effect in promoting angiogenesis and protecting against oxidative stress and inflammation during OT.

Systematic Understanding of Anti-Aging Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on Oocyte Through a Network Pharmacology Approach

BACKGROUND

Maternal oocyte aging is strongly contributing to age-related decline in female fertility. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) exerts positive effects in improving aging-related deterioration of oocyte quality, but the exact mechanism is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To reveal the system-level mechanism of CoQ10's anti-aging effect on oocytes based on network pharmacology.

METHODS

This study adopted a systems network pharmacology approach, including target identification, data integration, network and module construction, bioinformatics analysis, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation.

RESULT

A total of 27 potential therapeutic targets were screened out. Seven hub targets (PPARA, CAT, MAPK14, SQSTM1, HMOX1, GRB2, and GSR) were identified. Functional and pathway enrichment analysis indicated that these 27 putative targets exerted therapeutic effects on oocyte aging by regulating signaling pathways (e.g., PPAR, TNF, apoptosis, necroptosisn, prolactin, and MAPK signaling pathway), and are involved oxidation-reduction process, mitochondrion, enzyme binding, reactive oxygen species metabolic process, ATP binding, among others. In addition, five densely linked functional modules revealed the potential mechanisms of CoQ10 in improving aging-related deterioration of oocyte quality are closely related to antioxidant, mitochondrial function enhancement, autophagy, anti-apoptosis, and immune and endocrine system regulation. The molecular docking study reveals that seven hub targets have a good binding affinity towards CoQ10, and molecular dynamics simulation confirms the stability of the interaction between the hub targets and the CoQ10 ligand.

CONCLUSION

This network pharmacology study revealed the multiple mechanisms involved in the anti-aging effect of CoQ10 on oocytes. The molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation provide evidence that CoQ10 may act on these hub targets to fight against oocytes aging.

The effect of sodium selenite on apoptotic gene expression and development of in vitro cultured mouse oocytes in comparison with in vivo obtained oocytes

In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes is widely used in assisted reproduction technologies. The present study aimed to improve the in vitro oocyte maturation and its development through enriching the culture media with sodium selenite (SS). Moreover, the effects of SS on the expression of the oocytes apoptosis-related genes were assessed. In this study, male and female NMRI mice were used and after collecting their germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes, they were cultured with SS (experimental group) and without SS (control group). Collected metaphase II oocytes (MII) from the fallopian tube were considered as in vivo group. After in vitro culture, the oocytes were assessed in terms of nuclear maturation. The MII oocytes were inseminated and the development was examined until the blastocyst stage. Also, oocytes were subjected to the molecular analysis for evaluating the expression of BAX, BCL2, P53, and BAD genes using the real-time RT-PCR. The maturation rate was significantly increased in the SS supplemented group compared to the control one. The developmental rate of the embryos was significantly higher for both of the in vivo and SS supplemented groups rather than the control one, however, no significant difference was seen between these rates of the experimental and in vivo groups. Real-time RT-PCR did not show any significant differences in the expression of the apoptosis-related genes for all of the studied groups. The p53 gene was not expressed in any of groups. Sodium selenite improved the oocyte developmental competence but did not change the expression of the apoptosis-related genes in MII oocytes.

Beneficial effects of dietary coenzyme Q10 on the productive and reproductive variables of broiler breeder hens

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementary CoQ10 in the diets of aged broiler breeder hens on productive and reproductive variables. A total of 128 hens)44 weeks of age) were randomly assigned to one of 16 groups (eight hens per group). The hen-groups (with equal mean egg production and egg weight) were randomly assigned to one of four diet-groups to provide four pen/groups per treatment. There was no CoQ10 supplementation or supplemental amounts of either 300, 600 or 900 mg CoQ10/kg added to the basal diet. Egg production, weight, and mass were determined weekly. To assess fertility, hatchability, and sperm penetration (SP) rate, the hens were artificially inseminated on a weekly basis (from 47-54 weeks of age). The hens were weighed and killed at the end of the experiment for evaluation of the ovarian morphology, oviduct histology, utero-vaginal junction (UVJ) total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and Pdss2, GDF9, and BMP15 mRNA transcript abundances in the germinal disc regions. The results indicated that there was a linear response curve to increasing amounts of supplemental dietary CoQ10 on fertility, hatchability of eggs, SP rates, TAC of the UVJ, fold height and surface epithelia of the magnum and isthmus, and abundance of GDF9, BMP15 and Pdss2 mRNA transcripts in the germinal disc region. In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicate diet supplementation with CoQ10 had beneficial effects on the productive and reproductive variables of aged hens.

Exposure to cell phone induce oxidative stress in mice preantral follicles during in vitro cultivation: An experimental study

Background

Radiations emitting from mobile phones have been proposed to affect people's health, mediated by various mechanisms like induction of oxidative stress.

Objective

This study aims to investigate the effect of cell phone exposure on the oxidative status of mice preantral follicles (PFs) during in vitro culture.

Materials and Methods

PFs (n░=░2580) were isolated mechanically from 16 to 18 day-old NMRI mice (n░=░50) and divided into control and cell phone-exposed groups. PFs were cultured for 12 days and ovulation was induced using human chorion gonadotropin. The developmental parameters including size, survival, antral cavity formation, ovulation and oocyte maturation were assessed. In parallel, enzymatic antioxidants activities, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were evaluated.

Results

The diameters and the rates of survival, antrum formation, ovulation, and metaphase II oocytes of exposed PFs to cell phone were significantly lower than those of the control group (p░≤░0.001). The PFs exposed to cell phone had significantly lower superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase (CAT) activity compared with the control group. In the cell phone exposed PFs, the TAC level was significantly lower (p░≤░0.001) and MDA levels was significantly higher (p░≤░0.001), compared tothe those of control group.

Conclusion

Exposure to cell phone compromised the developmental competence of mice PFs by increasing oxidative stress.

Implications from early life stress on the development of mouse ovarian follicles: Focus on oxidative stress

AIM

The early life stress has significant long-term effects on the development of the offspring. This study was undertaken to verify if maternal separation as a stressor agent affects the oxidative status and developmental competence of mouse pre-antral follicles (PF) during in vitro culture period.

METHODS

Female litters of National Medical Research Institute mice were divided into two groups: maternally separated group (MS), separated from the mothers for 6 h per day from postnatal days 2-16; and the rest considered as the control group, which left undisturbed over the 14 days. The litters were sacrificed and the ovarian tissue was harvested to isolate the PF. The PF were in vitro cultured up to 12th day when ovulation was induced. The developmental parameters and oxidative status (i.e., total antioxidant capacity and Malondialdehyde levels, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase) were assessed.

RESULTS

The rates of survival, antrum formation, ovulation and oocyte maturation of PF derived from the MS group were significantly lower compared with those of the control group. Furthermore, the Malondialdehyde level of the MS group was significantly higher than that of the control group. By contrast, the total antioxidant capacity level was lower in the MS group with respect to the control group. Also, the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase of PF, derived from the MS group, was significantly lower compared with those of the control group.

CONCLUSION

Early life stress damages the developmental competence of mouse PF through induction of oxidative stress.

Ubidecarenone-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carrier (UB-NLC): Percutaneous Penetration and Protective Effects Against Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Oxidative Stress on HaCaT Cells

The objective of the investigation was to evaluate the percutaneous penetration of a ubidecarenone-loaded nanostructured lipid carrier (UB-NLC) and to illuminate the protective effects of UB-NLC for amelioration of hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative damage on HaCaT cells. Ubidecarenone (UB) was encapsulated in a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC), which was manufactured by homogenization. The morphological and dimensional properties of the prepared UB-NLC were studied by freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy (FF-TEM) and photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS). Percutaneous penetration of UB-NLC was carried out by the Franz diffusion cells method. The change of cellular morphology was identified through a non-invasive time-lapse imaging system. The assessment was achieved via the evaluation of the levels of oxidative stress markers: reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), and malondialdehyde (MDA). Percutaneous penetration of UB loaded in NLC formulation was enhanced in comparison to free UB. Preincubation of HaCaT cells with UB-NLC attenuated the level of intracellular generation of ROS. Lipid peroxidation was diminished by UB-NLC via inhibition of MDA formation. Pretreatment of cells with UB-NLC reestablished the activity of cellular antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GSH-PX). On the basis of the investigation conducted, results suggest that formulating UB as NLC is advantageous for topical delivery and treatment of oxidative stress-induced human diseases.