Ternatin pretreatment attenuates testicular injury induced by torsion/detorsion in Wistar rats

Efficacy of essential oils of Egletes viscosa and Lippia schaueriana on the reproductive biology of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato engorged females

The study analyzed the chemical composition and the acaricide effect of Egletes viscosa Less (macela-da-terra) and Lippia schaueriana Mart. (lipia-da-serra) essential oils (EOs) on Rhipicephalus sanguineus s. l. (Acari: Ixodidae) engorged females. The chemical analysis (GC-MS and GC-FID) identified 27 components in E. viscosa EO and 18 in L. schaueriana EO, which comprise more than 98% of its constituents. The effects of the oils on the reproductive biology of R. sanguineus ticks were assessed by adult immersion test. Both EOs significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the egg production index when the females were exposed to 25 and 50 mg/mL, also affecting the egg viability. During the laying process, the eggs produced by the females exposed to the EO showed several morphological alterations such as dehydrated, darkened, and disaggregated, and these alterations were more severe as the concentrations increased. The mortality percentages were 58.9%, 70.8% and 92.7% when the ticks were exposed to 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/mL of E. viscosa oil, respectively. In the same concentrations, the efficacy of L. schaueriana was 39.3%, 53.4%, and 84.6%. Therefore, it can be concluded that the essential oils of E. viscosa and L. schaueriana have acaricidal effect in females of R. sanguineus s.l ticks.

Testicular Torsion and Spermatogenesis

Testicular torsion (TT) is a common urologic emergency that can occur at any age. It is most common in newborns and during puberty. Prompt evaluation and management is required to salvage the testis following an episode of torsion. TT brings about damage to testicular tissue and spermatogenesis through various hypothesized mechanisms; however there is a consensus that the effects of ischemia, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and oxidative stress account for the most destructive effects. Numerous studies have examined the effects of various agents and therapies in limiting the effects of TT on the testis.

Antioxidants in experimental ischemia-reperfusion injury of the testis: Where are we heading towards?

Testicular torsion (TT) is a medical emergency that primary affects newborns and young adolescents. It causes testicular injury due to the torsion of the spermatic cord and its components, initially in the venous blood flow and finally in the arterial blood flow. Prompt diagnosis and early surgical management are necessary in managing this urgent situation. The process of the pathophysiological events in ischemia-reperfusion is multifactorial and deals with the perception of the oxidative stress responsible for the consequences of ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) stress following TT. Duration and severity of torsion also play a significant role in the oxidative stress. A detrimental result of the defense system of the testes takes place resulting finally in testicular atrophy and impaired function. Antioxidant factors have been experimentally studied in an effort to front this state. They have been classified as endogenous or exogenous antioxidants. Endogenous antioxidants comprise a structure of enzymic enzymatic and non-enzymic enzymatic particles presented within cytoplasm and numerous other subunits in the cells. Exogenous antioxidants include a variety of natural and pharmaceutical agents that may prevent or ameliorate the harmful effects of I/R injury. In this study we review those factors and their ability to enhance the oxidative status of the testis. A feature insight into where we are heading is attempted.

Medical perspective in testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury

Testicular torsion or torsion of the spermatic cord is one of the most serious urological conditions. It causes testicular injury, which potentially leads to male subfertility. The turning of the spermatic cord and spermatic structures around themselves results in biochemical and histological changes; however, following testicular detorsion, tissues undergo reperfusion that causes more severe damage than that induced by ischemia. Since the primary causes of testicular damage are reactive oxygen species production, an increase in intra-mitochondrial calcium concentration and an increased rate of cellular apoptosis, different medications may potentially be effective. It seems that several medications, experimentally and sometimes clinically, serve an adjuvant role in the cellular damage that occurs following ischemia-reperfusion. Antioxidants, calcium channel blockers, phytotherapeutical medicinals, anaesthetics, hormones and platelet inhibitors may potentially create a solid basis for an adjuvant restoring therapy and ameliorate testicular function following torsion. The current study aimed to review the relevant literature and discuss the actions of a number of molecules that may protect the testes during ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Mechanisms of testicular torsion and potential protective agents

Testicular torsion is a urological emergency most commonly seen in adolescence, involving a decrease in blood flow in the testis resulting from torsion of the spermatic cord that can result in gonad injury or even loss if not treated in time. Testicular ischaemia-reperfusion injury represents the principle pathophysiology of testicular torsion, with ischaemia caused by twisting of the spermatic cord, and reperfusion on its subsequent release. Many cellular and molecular mechanisms are involved in ischaemia-reperfusion injury following testicular torsion. Studies have investigated the use of pharmacological agents as supportive therapy to surgical repair in order to prevent the adverse effects of testicular torsion. Numerous substances have been proposed as important in the prevention of post-ischaemia-reperfusion testicular injury. A range of chemicals and drugs has been successfully tested in animal models for the purpose of mitigating the dangerous effects of ischaemia-reperfusion in testis torsion.

Effects of bioflavonoid ternatin on liver regeneration and oxidative stress in rats

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of bioflavonoid ternatin (TRT) on rat liver regeneration and oxidative stress after 70% partial hepatectomy (PH).

METHODS

Thirty six young male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to two groups of 18 animals each - control (G1) and experimental (G2) - and were submitted to PH under inhalatory diethylether anesthesia. G1 rats received daily intraperitoneal (ip) injections of saline (NaCl 0.9% solution) 0.1 mL/kg for 14 days; G2 animals received daily ip injections of TRT 0.1% 1.0mg/kg for 14 days. At 36h (T1), 168h (T2) and 336h (T3) post-PH timepoints, a subgroup of six rats in each group was chosen in a randomized way to complementary hepatectomy (CH) and blood samples haversting. Collected material was saved for laboratory analysis (total bilirubin (TB), D-Glucose, glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and assessment of liver regeneration.

RESULTS

TRT induced a significant decrease in liver and plasma GSH concentrations; liver regeneration process was not affected. TRT promoted a significant decrease in blood glucose levels 168h after partial hepatectomy compared with controls. TB levels remained unchanged.

CONCLUSION

Intraperitoneal bioflavonoid ternatin injection in partially hepatectomized rats induces a decrease in oxidative stress and a significant hypoglycemic state, but does not promote any change in the evolution of liver regeneration.