L-Carnitine alleviates hepatic and renal mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic progression induced by letrozole in female rats through modulation of Nrf-2, Cyt c and CASP-3 signaling

Letrozole (LTZ) is a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor that is commonly used in breast cancer therapy. It has several side effects that might lead to the drug's cessation and data of LTZ's potential adverse effects on the hepatorenal microenvironment was conflicting. In addition, searching for therapeutic interventions that could modulate its adverse effects will be very beneficial. So, this study aims to determine the impact of LTZ on the hepatorenal microenvironment in cyclic female rats with a proposed regulatory role of L-Carnitine (LC) supplementation giving molecular insights into its possible mechanism of action. LTZ (1 mg/kg using 0.5% carboxy methyl cellulose as a vehicle for 21 consecutive days orally) to assess its impact on hepatorenal microenvironment. After treatment with LC (100 mg/kg orally) for 14 days, hepatorenal redox state (lipid peroxides (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase enzyme (CAT)), as well as relative gene expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2), cytochrome-c (Cyt c) and caspase-3 (CASP-3) were evaluated. Histopathological examination and immunohistochemical staining of CASP-3 in both liver and kidney were done. LTZ altered hepatic and renal functions. Relative gene expression of hepatorenal Nrf-2, Cyt c and CASP-3 as well as redox state revealed significant deterioration. Also, the liver and kidney tissues showed several micromorphological changes and intense reaction to CASP-3 upon immunohistochemical staining. It can be concluded that LC alleviates LTZ induced hepatorenal oxidative stress (OS) and mitochondrial-dependent apoptotic progression through modulation of Nrf-2, Cyt c, and CASP-3 signaling in female rats.

Exposure to Polystyrene nanoparticles induces liver damage in rat via induction of oxidative stress and hepatocyte apoptosis

Plastic products are widely used in different applications. Thus, exposure of human and other organisms to these products may affect their biological system. The current study was conducted to investigate the potential deleterious effect of Polysterene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) on the liver and to state the cellular and molecular mechanisms associated with exposure to PS-NPs.30 male rats were divided randomly and equally into 3 groups; control (distilled water), low dose (3 mg/kg/day) and high dose (10 mg/kg/day) exposed group via oral gavage for 5 successive weeks. PS-NPs caused elevation in ALT, AST and MDA, upregulation of apoptosis-related genes and significant decrease in GSH and mRNA expression for antioxidant-related genes (Nrf-2 and GPx). Moreover, alterations in hepatic tissue architecture and positive caspase-3 expression was noticed in a dose- dependent manner. Collectively, PS-NPs can induce hepatoxicity in rats in a dose dependent manner, so the health risk of PS-NPs should not be ignored.

Ameliorative effect of N-acetylcysteine on the testicular tissue of adult male albino rats after glyphosate-based herbicide exposure

Glyphosate (GLP) is a broad-spectrum herbicide that is frequently used in crop production, but its residues remain in foodstuffs. This, in turn, has led to potential adverse effects on both human and animal health. Recent studies emphasized that GLP induces teratogenic effects and reproductive disorders, but its mechanism of toxicity is highly debated. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is well known for its potent antioxidant capacity in addition to anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective properties. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the reproductive toxicity of GLP in mature rats and evaluate the possible ameliorative effect of NAC against this toxicity. To this end, 30 adult male rats were assigned into three groups (10 rats per group) as follows: Group I, negative control; group II, GLP-exposed; 375 mg/kg GLP, orally; group III, NAC-cotreated, 160 mg/kg NAC 1 h before GLP, plus GLP, 375 mg/kg orally for 6 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the testicles were collected for semen analysis and biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical studies. GLP-exposed rats exhibited disturbances in seminal parameters and a significant increase in malondialdehyde levels and expression of apoptotic markers. Several histopathological changes were observed, including strong immunoreactions for caspase-3 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Conversely, the administration of NAC before GLP was able to improve seminal parameters, attenuate the induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in addition to the regeneration of testicular damage. In conclusion, NAC can ameliorate the reproductive toxicity induced by GLP to an acceptable degree.

Screening for polystyrene nanoparticle toxicity on kidneys of adult male albino rats using histopathological, biochemical, and molecular examination results

Polystyrene Nanoparticles (PS-NPs) used for packaging foam, disposable cups, and food containers. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate PS- NPs toxic effects on kidney of adult male albino rats. A total of 30 rats divided into three groups (n = 10): group I negative control group; group II orally administered 3% PS-NPs (3 mg/kg body weight/day) and group III orally administered 3% PS-NPs (10 mg/kg body weight/day) for 35 days. Blood and kidney samples collected and processed for biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical examinations. Results showed that low and high doses PS-NPs had significantly increased serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, malondialdehyde, significantly further reduced glutathione, downregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 and glutathione peroxidase, upregulation of caspase-3 and Cytochrome-c. Histopathological examination revealed several alterations. Low dose of PS-NPs exhibited dilated glomerular capillaries, hypotrophy of some renal corpuscles significantly decreases their diameter to 62 μm. Some proximal convoluted tubules and distal convoluted tubules showed loss of cellular architecture with pyknotic nuclei. Hyalinization and vacuolation in renal medulla. In high dose PS-NPs, alterations increased in severity. A significant increase in percentage area of cyclooxygenase-2 in low and high-doses. In conclusion, PS-NPs are a nephrotoxic causing renal dysfunction.

Exposure to Dibutyl Phthalate and Reproductive-Related Outcomes in Animal Models: Evidence From Rodents Study

Background: Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) was an endocrine disruptor, which may lead to cancer and affects reproductive function when accumulated in the body. But the precise role of DBP in the reproductive system remained controversial.

Objective: We employed the meta-analysis to explore the relationship between DBP and reproductive-related outcomes.

Methods: We searched relevant literature in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) and their 95% CIs were measured by random-effects models. Funnel plots and Egger’s regression test were applied to assess publication bias.

Results: Finally, 19 literatures were included in this research. The outcomes revealed that DBP was negatively correlated with reproductive organs weight (testis weight: SMD: −0.59; 95% Cl: −1.23, −0.23; seminal vesicles weight: SMD: −0.74; 95% Cl: −1.21, −0.27; prostate weight: SMD: −0.46; 95% Cl: −0.76, −0.16) and sperm parameters (sperm morphology: SMD: 1.29; 95% Cl: 0.63, 1.94; sperm count: SMD: −1.81; 95% Cl: −2.39, −1.23; sperm motility: SMD: −1.92; 95% Cl: −2.62, −1.23).

Conclusion: Our research demonstrated that DBP may be negatively associated with reproductive-related indicators, especially at Gestation exposure period and middle dose (100–500 mg/kg/day).

Microarray profiling of LncRNA expression in the testis of pubertal mice following morning and evening exposure to 1800 MHz radiofrequency fields

In this paper, the chronotoxicity of radiofrequency fields (RF) in the pubertal testis development and the involved molecular pathways were investigated by exposing four-week-old mice to RF (1800 MHz, SAR, 0.50 W/kg) in the morning and evening of each day for three weeks. Then, pathological changes and functional indices within the testis were determined. We also used a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) microarray and GO/KEGG pathway analyses to determine lncRNA expression profiles and predict their potential functions. The cis and trans regulation of lncRNAs were investigated, and an interaction network was constructed using Cytoscape software. RF exposure led to a range of pathological changes in the testes of adolescent mice, as testicular weights and daily sperm productions decreased, and the testosterone secretion reduced. Furthermore, RF induced dysregulation in the expression of testicular lncRNAs. We identified 615 and 183 differentially expressed lncRNAs that were associated with morning and evening exposure to RF, respectively. From 15 differential expression lncRNAs both in morning RF group and evening RF group, we selected 6 lncRNAs to be validated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). The differentially expressed lncRNAs induced by morning RF exposure were highly correlated with many different pathways, including Fanconi syndrome, metabolic processes, cell cycle, DNA damage, and DNA replication. Trans-regulation analyses further showed that differentially expressed lncRNAs were involved in multiple transcription factor-regulated pathways, such as TCFAP4, NFkB, HINFP, TFDP2, FoxN1, and PAX5. These transcription factors have all been shown to be involved in the modulation of testis development, cell cycle progression, and spermatogenesis. These findings suggest that the extent to which 1800 MHz RF induced toxicity in the testes and changed the expression of lncRNAs showed differences between morning exposure and evening exposure. These data indicate that differentially expressed lncRNAs play crucial roles in the RF exposure damage to the developing pubertal testis. Collectively, our findings provide a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the toxic effects of RF exposure on testicular development.

Ameliorative effect of N-acetylcysteine against glyphosate-induced hepatotoxicity in adult male albino rats: histopathological, biochemical, and molecular studies

Glyphosate (GLP) is the most commonly used herbicide that presents many hazards to the environment and living organisms. The present study aimed to explore hepatotoxic properties of GLP on adult albino rats, and the ability of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) to ameliorate these toxic effects. Thirty mature male albino rats were distributed into 3 groups (10 rats/group): Group I (C) a negative control, Group II (GLP) orally administered Roundup 0.8503 ml/kg/day which contain GLP (375 mg/kg) (1/10 of LD50) by gavage needle, and Group III (NAC+ GLP) received NAC (160 mg/kg, 1h before Roundup) by gavage needle and Roundup (0.8503 ml/kg) orally for 6 weeks. Blood and liver samples were collected and processed for biochemical, histopathological, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical investigations. Group II displayed a significant elevation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as well as overexpression of apoptotic markers. The total antioxidant capacity "TAC" and mRNA expression of NRF2 were significantly decreased. Concerning the histopathological findings, there were various degenerative changes as the hepatocytes showed hydropic swelling with nuclear pyknosis. These alterations were confirmed ultrastructurally as most of the cytoplasmic organelles were lost and the mitochondria appeared to deteriorate. Immunohistochemical results showed intense immunoreactivity against proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and caspase-3. NAC administration before GLP partially ameliorates these alterations. ALT, AST, and MDA levels as well as expression of apoptotic markers were significantly reduced. TAC and mRNA expression of NRF2 were significantly increased. Histopathological alterations were partially improved as the hepatocytes returned normal and ultrastructurally they showed nearly normal cytoplasmic organelles. Additionally, the intense expression of PCNA and caspase-3 was significantly reduced. We concluded that NAC can ameliorate most of the adverse effects of GLP exposure through its antioxidant property and free radicals scavenging capacity.

Oxidative Stress and DNA methylation in male rat pups provoked by the transplacental and translactational exposure to bisphenol A

The epigenetic changes induced by environmental contaminants play important roles in the inheritance of male reproductive dysfunction. The present study investigated DNA methylation changes and some oxidative stress biomarkers induced by bisphenol A (BPA) in male offspring. A total number of 48 female albino rats were administered orally with 50 μg/kg of BPA/day during gestation and/or lactation periods. At postnatal day 60, the samples were collected from the male pups to assess the serum testosterone, malondialdehyde (MDA) level, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in testicular tissue. DNA methylation in both DNA (cytosine-5)-methyltransferase 3A and estrogen receptor alpha genes was detected by methylation-specific PCR. BPA exposure resulted in significant decrease in the anogenital distance, testis and epididymis weights, serum testosterone level, SOD, GST, and GSH-Px levels with significant increase in weaning body weight and the MDA level. Additionally, BPA caused marked hypermethylation within Dnmt3A and ER- ∝ genes promoter regions in the testis of rat male pups. Graphical abstract.