Role of Nrf2/HO-1, PPAR-γ, and cytoglobin signals in the pathogenesis of methotrexate-induced testicular intoxication in rats and the protective effect of diacerein

Methotrexate (MTX) is an inhibitor of folic acid reductase used in managing a variety of malignancies. Testicular injury by MTX is one of its serious adverse effects. The current investigation aims to assess the protective effects of diacerein (DIA) on testicular injury by MTX and clarify the possible underlying mechanisms. Testicular injury in rats was induced by a single injection of 20 mg/kg body weight of MTX. DIA was given in 25 mg/kg body weight/day and 50 mg/kg body weight/day doses for 10 days. Compared to the MTX group, DIA attenuated testicular intoxication as evidenced by improvement of testicular histopathological abnormalities and increased serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone. DIA attenuated testicular oxidative stress changes by lowering testicular MDA and boosting GSH content and SOD activity. Moreover, administration of DIA attenuated MTX-induced testicular inflammation, as proved by decreased TNF-α and IL-6. At the molecular level, DIA induced significant upregulation in Nrf2, HO-1, PPAR-γ, and cytoglobin protein expression. The present results proved that DIA, in a dose-dependent manner, exhibited notable amelioration of testicular toxicity induced by MTX through augmentation of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects combined by upregulating Nrf2/HO-1, PPAR-γ, and cytoglobin signaling.

A novel approach of using Maca root as a radioprotector in a rat testicular damage model focusing on GRP78/CHOP/Caspase-3 pathway

PURPOSE

Despite the effectiveness of ionizing radiation in treating cancer, it can damage healthy tissues in the vicinity. Due to the high radio-sensitivity of testicular tissues, radiation therapy may affect spermatogenesis, which may result in infertility. Hence, in this study testicular damage model is constructed to investigate the mitigation effect of Maca root powder and its potential radioprotective activity through both oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stresses, besides the apoptotic pathway.

METHODS

Male albino rats were exposed to 6Gy of whole-body gamma radiation single dose. Maca root powder (1 g/kg b.wt./day, by oral gavage) was administered for a week before irradiation, then d-galactose (300 mg/kg, by oral gavage) and Maca daily for another week.

RESULTS

Gamma radiation and d-galactose revealed a significant decrease in serum testosterone, sperm count, and motility and higher percentage of the sperm head abnormality, while Maca root treatment maintained all sperm morphology parameters. Maca root treatment demonstrated a notable defense against radiation-induced oxidative stress and ameliorated malonaldehyde (MDA), reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) levels, reduced glutathione (GSH), oxidized glutathione (GSSG) and the ratio of GSH/GSSG in testis tissues. Exposure to gamma rays and d-galactose displayed a significant elevation in GRP78, CHOP, total caspase-3 as well as active (cleaved) caspase-3 levels, whereas treatment with Maca significantly reduced the ER and apoptotic markers levels. Also, Maca improved the histological changes of the disorganized seminiferous tubules induced by irradiation.

CONCLUSION

Our findings show for the first time that Maca has a protective effect on male reproductive damage induced by radiotherapy. Maca root reveals anti-apoptotic effect and protection against testicular damage via GRP78/CHOP/caspase-3 pathway.

Testosterone restores TM3 and TM4 cell viability, reduces reactive oxygen species generation, and protects against atrazine-induced stereological changes in rat testes

In this study, we performed the stereological examination of rat testes and evaluated the protective effect of testosterone against atrazine (ATZ) toxicity in TM3 Leydig and TM4 Sertoli cells. Testosterone intake in rats increased the volumetric density of the seminiferous tubules; tubular diameter; germinal epithelial height; number of spermatogonia, primary and secondary spermatocytes, round spermatids, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells; and Johnsen scores compared with the values after ATZ treatment (p < 0.05). Furthermore, testosterone increased the viability of TM3 cells and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in TM4 cells compared to the ATZ-treated group. In conclusion, exogenous testosterone intake maintains testicular morphometry and spermatogenesis in rats, and minimizes cell death and ROS generation in testicular cell lines exposed to ATZ. However, TM4 cells are more responsive to testosterone-mediated regulation of ROS generation induced by ATZ than TM3 cells.

Zygo-Albuside A: New Saponin from Zygophyllum album L. with Significant Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory and Antiapoptotic Effects against Methotrexate-Induced Testicular Damage

Chemical investigation of the crude extract of the aerial part of Zygophyllum album L. (Z. album) led to the isolation of a new saponin, Zygo-albuside A (7), together with seven known compounds, one of them (caffeic acid, compound 4) is reported in the genus for the first time. NMR (1D and 2D) and mass spectrometric analysis, including high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), were utilized to set up the chemical structures of these compounds. The present biological study aimed to investigate the protective antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities of the crude extract from the aerial part of Z. album and two of its isolated compounds, rutin and the new saponin zygo-albuside A, against methotrexate (MTX)-induced testicular injury, considering the role of miRNA-29a. In all groups except for the normal control group, which received a mixture of distilled water and DMSO (2:1) as vehicle orally every day for ten days, testicular damage was induced on the fifth day by intraperitoneal administration of MTX at a single dose of 20 mg/kg. Histopathological examination showed that pre-treatment with the crude extract of Z. album, zygo-albuside A, or rutin reversed the testicular damage induced by MTX. In addition, biochemical analysis in the protected groups showed a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β, Bcl-2-associated-protein (Bax), and an increase in B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the testis, along with an increase in serum testosterone levels compared with the unprotected (positive control) group. The mRNA expression levels of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), p53, and miRNA-29a were downregulated in the testicular tissues of the protected groups compared with the unprotected group. In conclusion, the study provides sufficient evidence that Z. album extract, and its isolated compounds, zygo-albuside A and rutin, could alleviate testicular damage caused by the chemotherapeutic agent MTX.

Humanin ameliorates late-onset hypogonadism in aged male rats

BACKGROUND

The reproductive potential declines with age. Late-onset hypogonadism is characterized by reduced serum testosterone. Humanin is a mitochondrial-derived signaling peptide encoded by short open reading frames within the mitochondrial genome. It may protect against some age-related diseases such as atherosclerosis by its cytoprotective effects.

OBJECTIVE

it aimed to investigate the potential anti-aging effects of humanin on the testicular architecture, oxidative stress, some apoptotic and inflammatory markers in the hypogonadal aged male rats.

METHODS

Forty male albino rats were divided into 4 groups: normal adult controls, aged vehicle-treated group, aged testosterone-treated group, and aged humanin-treated group. Twenty-month-old male rats with declined serum testosterone were selected to be the animal models of late-onset hypogonadism. Testicular weights, serum testosterone, and some sperm parameters were measured. Testicular tissue IL-6 and TNF-α, superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde were assessed. The activity of caspase-3, BCL2, PCNA, and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element pathway were evaluated. Testes were subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. Statistical analysis was executed using One Way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Post hoc (LSD) test to compare means among all studied groups.

RESULTS

humanin treatment significantly improved serum testosterone, some sperm characteristics, and antioxidant defenses. It decreased active caspase-3, pro-apoptotic BAX expression, and increased antiapoptotic BCL2 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) possibly via activating the (Nrf2-ARE) pathway.

CONCLUSION

humanin might be a promising therapeutic modality in late-onset hypogonadism as it ameliorated some age-related testicular and hormonal adverse effects.

Prophylactic and Ameliorative Effects of PPAR-γ Agonist Pioglitazone in Improving Oxidative Stress, Germ Cell Apoptosis and Inflammation in Gentamycin-Induced Testicular Damage in Adult Male Albino Rats

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) is ubiquitously expressed in testicular tissue and plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes. Pioglitazone (PIO) is one of the PPAR-γ agonists, having anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Patients on gentamycin treatment may undergo serious side effects such as testicular damage. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first study to investigate the possible protective anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of PIO on gentamycin-induced testicular damage. Fifty adult male Wistar albino rats included in the study as the control group (CTL) received normal saline; a gentamycin-induced testicular damage group (GM) received gentamycin (100 mg/kg); PIO5, PIO10, PIO20 groups received PIO at a dose of 5, 10, and 20 mg/ kg, respectively, for 21 days, and gentamycin was started at day 15 of the experiment for 6 days. The parameters of spermatozoa and histopathological alterations in the testes were significantly improved in the PIO20 group. Moreover, MDA levels, inflammatory mediators, and apoptotic Bax expression were decreased. The activity of glutathione peroxidase, catalase, total antioxidant capacity, and anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 genes expression were increased. It was concluded that PIO20 could protect against gentamycin-induced testicular damage in Wistar rats through its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects.

The Mechanisms and Management of Age-Related Oxidative Stress in Male Hypogonadism Associated with Non-communicable Chronic Disease

Androgens have diverse functions in muscle physiology, lean body mass, the regulation of adipose tissue, bone density, neurocognitive regulation, and spermatogenesis, the male reproductive and sexual function. Male hypogonadism, characterized by reduced testosterone, is commonly seen in ageing males, and has a complex relationship as a risk factor and a comorbidity in age-related noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs), such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and malignancy. Oxidative stress, as a significant contributor to the ageing process, is a common feature between ageing and NCDs, and the related comorbidities, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and chronic inflammation. Oxidative stress may also be a mediator of hypogonadism in males. Consequently, the management of oxidative stress may represent a novel therapeutic approach in this context. Therefore, this narrative review aims to discuss the mechanisms of age-related oxidative stress in male hypogonadism associated with NCDs and discusses current and potential approaches for the clinical management of these patients, which may include conventional hormone replacement therapy, nutrition and lifestyle changes, adherence to the optimal body mass index, and dietary antioxidant supplementation and/or phytomedicines.

A systematic overview of the spermatotoxic and genotoxic effects of methotrexate, ganciclovir and mycophenolate mofetil

INTRODUCTION

Immunosuppressant drugs are increasingly being used in the reproductive years. Theoretically, such medications could affect fetal health either through changes in the sperm DNA or through fetal exposure caused by a presence in the seminal fluid. This systematic overview summarizes existing literature on the spermatotoxic and genotoxic potentials of methotrexate (MTX), a drug widely used to treat rheumatic and dermatologic diseases, and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF), which alone or supplemented with ganciclovir (GCV) may be crucial for the survival of organ transplants.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The systematic overview was performed in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines: A systematic literature search of the MEDLINE and Embase databases was done using a combination of relevant terms to search for studies on spermatotoxic or genotoxic changes related to treatment with MTX, GCV or MMF. The search was restricted to English language literature, and to in vivo animal studies (mammalian species) and clinical human studies.

RESULTS

A total of 102 studies were identified, hereof 25 human and 77 animal studies. For MTX, human studies of immunosuppressive dosages show transient effect on sperm quality parameters, which return to reference values within 3 months. No human studies have investigated the sperm DNA damaging effect of MTX, but in other organs the genotoxic effects of immunosuppressive doses of MTX are fluctuating. In animals, immunosuppressive and cytotoxic doses of MTX adversely affect sperm quality parameters and show widespread genotoxic damages in various organs. Cytotoxic doses transiently change the DNA material in all cell stages of spermatogenesis in rodents. For GCV and MMF, data are limited and the results are indeterminate, for which reason spermatotoxic and genotoxic potentials cannot be excluded.

CONCLUSIONS

Data from human and animal studies indicate transient spermatotoxic and genotoxic potentials of immunosuppressive and cytotoxic doses of MTX. There are a limited number of studies investigating GCV and MMF.

Ginkgo biloba Extract Attenuates Methotrexate-Induced Testicular Injury in Rats: Cross-talk Between Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, Apoptosis, and miRNA-29a Expression

Ginkgo biloba leaf extract (GIN) is a popular Chinese herbal medicine. It has a nephroprotective effect against the nephrotoxicity induced by the chemotherapeutic agent methotrexate (MTX). This work was designed to explore the testicular protective role of GIN on MTX-induced testicular injury in a rat model. The experimental protocol lasted for 10 days for the 4 studied groups. First group: received saline (normal control, NC group). The second group was administered GIN (100 mg/kg/day) orally for 10 days (GIN C). Third group: injected with MTX (20 mg/kg ip) only on the fifth day (MTX group). Fourth group: administered GIN for 10 days with MTX injection on the fifth day (GIN+MTX group). MTX induced testicular injury as evident by a marked rise in the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-1β protein levels, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) protein expression, bcl-2 associated × protein (Bax) mRNA expression, p53 mRNA and protein expressions, and miRNA29-a expression along with a marked decline in the serum level of testosterone and superoxide dismutase (SOD) content in testicular tissue in relation to the NC group. Moreover, histopathological testicular damage with a notable decrease in the Johnsen score together with a significant elevation in the testicular injury score was observed in the MTX group in comparison to the NC group. The administration of GIN ameliorated the biochemical changes as well as the testicular histopathological findings and scores. GIN could protect against MTX-induced gonadotoxicity by its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic activities plus the regulation of the miRNA-29a testicular expression.

Sulforaphane Protects the Male Reproductive System of Mice from Obesity-Induced Damage: Involvement of Oxidative Stress and Autophagy

(1) Background: In recent decades, the prevalence of obesity has grown rapidly worldwide, thus causing many diseases, including male hypogonadism. Sulforaphane (SFN), an isothiocyanate compound, has been reported to protect the reproductive system. This research investigated the protective effect of SFN against obesity-induced impairment in the male reproductive system and explored the potential mechanism involved in mice. (2) Methods: One hundred thirty mice were divided into 5 groups (Control, DIO (diet-induced obesity), DIO + SFN 5 mg/kg, DIO + SFN 10 mg/kg, and DIO + SFN 20 mg/kg). The effects of SFN on the male reproductive system were determined based on the sperm count and motility, relative testes and epididymis weights, hormone levels, and pathological analyses. Oxidative stress was determined by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), H₂O₂, catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) levels. Protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (Keap1), Microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3), Beclin1, and P62 were determined by western blotting. (3) Results: High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity significantly decreased relative testes and epididymis weights, sperm count and motility, and testosterone levels but increased leptin and estradiol levels. SFN supplementation ameliorated these effects. Additionally, SFN administration inhibited the obesity-induced MDA accumulation and increased the SOD level. Western blot indicated that SFN had an important role in the downregulation of Keap1. Moreover, SFN treatment attenuated obesity-induced autophagy, as detected by LC3 and Beclin1. (4) Conclusions: SFN ameliorated the reproductive toxicity associated with obesity by inhibiting oxidative stress mediated by the nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2/ antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE) signaling pathway and recovery of normal autophagy.

Testosterone promotes GPX5 expression of goat epididymal epithelial cells cultured in vitro

Androgens are involved in maintaining epididymal structure and function. In the present study, primary culture of goat EECs and effect of testosterone on expression of glutathione peroxidase-5 (GPX5) in goat epididymal epithelial cells (EECs) were investigated. The EECs isolated from 12-mo-old goat caput epididymis were cultured with testosterone in vitro, and expression of glutathione peroxidase-5 (GPX5) and androgen receptors (ARs) was analyzed. Our results showed that testosterone effectively increased EEC proliferation activity, and EECs cultured with testosterone could maintain molecular markers for up to 12 passages. Compared with the control group, 100 nM testosterone significantly increased the mRNA and protein expression of GPX5 (P < 0.05) and ARs (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively) in EECs, and this effect was blocked by the AR blocker enzalutamide. In conclusion, testosterone can promote the expression of GPX5 in EECs by up-regulating AR expression. We established an effective culture system for goat EECs which can be for further investigation on the regulation of epithelial function.

Angiotensin blockade attenuates diabetic nephropathy in hypogonadal adult male rats

This study examined the effect of the aromatase inhibitor letrozole (0.5 mg/kg) alone or in combination with the angiotensin-receptor blocker valsartan (30 mg/kg) against streptozocin-induced diabetic nephropathy (DN) in hypogonadal (HG) rats for 12 weeks. First, we tested the HG effect on hormone levels, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress in nondiabetic (ND) and diabetic (D) rats. HG was induced with the luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone antagonist cetrorelix (0.71 mg/kg). Diabetes enhanced hormonal hypogonadism and increased inflammation and oxidative stress. Next, experiments examined the effect of early letrozole and valsartan intervention on DN in HG rats. HG-ND and HG-D rats were treated with letrozole alone or in combination with valsartan. HG-D rats developed proteinuria and had increased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, and histopathological evidence of renal injury, including glomerular hypertrophy and mesangial expansion. Valsartan alone or in combination with letrozole reduced proteinuria, improved renal functions, and reduced diabetes-induced renal angiotensin II. Both agents ameliorated nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells, interleukin 1β, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels. The combination decreased superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and glutathione peroxidase levels, and prevented glomerular hypertrophy. In HG-D rats, valsartan reduced renal collagen IV and transforming growth factor-beta 1, especially when the testosterone level was corrected by letrozole. Thus, normalizing testosterone and inhibiting renal angiotensin II have a renoprotective effect against DN in HG male rats.

Protective effect of mirtazapine versus ginger against cisplatin-induced testicular damage in adult male albino rats

Cisplatin (CP) is a chemotherapy medication used to treat different types of organs cancers. It has damaging effects on testes. Mirtazapine is an antidepressant, which is used primarily in the treatment of depression and other anxiety disorders. Ginger is a naturally growing plant with antioxidant properties. Thirty-six adult male albino rats, subdivided into six groups (six animals each) received treatment for 30 days. Group I (control) received saline solution orally; group II received mirtazapine (20 mg/kg). Group III received ginger (200 mg/kg/day), group IV received CP (7 mg/kg) IP single dose, at day 23rd, group V received mirtazapine (200 mg/day) orally till day 23rd, CP (7 mg/kg) IP at day 23rd, mirtazapine till day 30th, group VI received ginger (200 mg/Kg/day) orally till day 23rd, CP (7 mg/kg) IP at day 23rd, and then ginger at the previous dose till day 30th. This study examined the microscopic changes associated with CP and the possible testicular protective role of mirtazapine versus ginger of adult male rats. Mirtazapine and ginger resulted in cellular protection of testicular tissue as evident from microscopic changes including Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and Leydig cells. Ginger showed to have a more protective effect than mirtazapine on testicular tissue against CP treatment.

The Role of Tocotrienol in Preventing Male Osteoporosis-A Review of Current Evidence

Male osteoporosis is a significant but undetermined healthcare problem. Men suffer from a higher mortality rate post-fracture than women and they are marginalized in osteoporosis treatment. The current prophylactic agents for osteoporosis are limited. Functional food components such as tocotrienol may be an alternative option for osteoporosis prevention in men. This paper aims to review the current evidence regarding the skeletal effects of tocotrienol in animal models of male osteoporosis and its potential antiosteoporotic mechanism. The efficacy of tocotrienol of various sources (single isoform, palm and annatto vitamin E mixture) had been tested in animal models of bone loss induced by testosterone deficiency (orchidectomy and buserelin), metabolic syndrome, nicotine, alcoholism, and glucocorticoid. The treated animals showed improvements ranging from bone microstructural indices, histomorphometric indices, calcium content, and mechanical strength. The bone-sparing effects of tocotrienol may be exerted through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and mevalonate-suppressive pathways. However, information pertaining to its mechanism of actions is superficial and warrants further studies. As a conclusion, tocotrienol could serve as a functional food component to prevent male osteoporosis, but its application requires validation from a clinical trial in men.