Protective effects of silymarin on methotrexate-induced damages in rat testes

Selenium mitigates methotrexate-induced testicular injury: Insights from male NMRI mice model

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Chemotherapy, particularly with methotrexate (MTX), often elicits testicular toxicity, leading to impaired spermatogenesis and hormone imbalances. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of selenium (Se) against MTX-induced testicular injury.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male mice were divided into control, MTX, Se, and MTX + Se groups. Histopathological examination involved the preparation of testicular tissue sections using the Johnsen's tubular biopsy score (JTBS) for spermatogenesis evaluation. Biochemical tests included the assessment of testosterone, malondialdehyde (MDA), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was employed to analyze the expression of caspase 3 (casp3), tumor protein 53 (p53), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2), and Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax) genes. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA and Tukey's tests (p < .05).

RESULTS

Histopathological analysis revealed significant testicular damage in the MTX group, with decreased spermatogenesis and Leydig cell count, while Se administration mitigated these effects, preserving the structural integrity of the reproductive epithelium. Biochemical analysis demonstrated that MTX led to elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and reduced testosterone, LH, and FSH levels, suggesting oxidative stress and Leydig cell dysfunction. Gene expression analysis indicated that MTX upregulated proapoptotic genes (casp3, p53, and bax) while downregulating the antiapoptotic Bcl2 gene. In contrast, Se treatment reversed these trends, highlighting its potential antiapoptotic properties.

CONCLUSION

Our findings underscore the potential of Se as a therapeutic agent to mitigate the reproductive toxicity associated with MTX-induced testicular injury. Se exerts protective effects by regulating oxidative stress, preserving hormone balance, and modulating apoptotic pathways. These results suggest that Se supplementation could be a promising strategy to alleviate chemotherapy-induced testicular damage and preserve male fertility.

Silymarin pretreatment protects against ethanol-induced memory impairment: Biochemical and histopathological evidence

BACKGROUND

Ethanol (Eth.) abuse induces memory impairment. Oxidative damage and apoptosis are considered the likely causes of memory impairment. Silymarin (Sil.) is a flavonoid isolated from the plant Silymarin marianum (milk thistle). While studies have reported the neuroprotective effect of Sil. against neurodegenerative processes, the precise mechanism of action of Sil. in Eth.-induced memory impairment remains unclear.

METHODS

Twenty-eight rats were equally divided into four groups: Control (saline 1 ml/rat); Sil. (200 mg/kg for 30 days); Eth. (2 g/kg/day for 30 days); and Sil. + Eth. Behavioral tests including inhibitory avoidance and open field were used to investigate memory and locomotion. Brain antioxidant parameters, including catalase, superoxide dismutase, total antioxidant capacity and total thiol group, plus oxidative parameters, including malondialdehyde and total oxidant status, followed by hippocampal apoptosis (Bax/Bcl2, cleaved caspase) and histopathological changes were evaluated in the groups.

RESULTS

While the administration of Eth. impaired memory, Sil. significantly reversed Eth-induced memory deficits. Eth. administration also augmented brain oxidative and hippocampal apoptosis parameters. In contrast, a marked reduction in brain antioxidant and anti-apoptotic parameters was observed in the Eth. group. At the tissue level, hippocampal sections from Eth.-treated animals revealed severe neuronal damage. The administration of Sil. to Eth.-treated rats remarkably alleviated all the said Eth.-induced biochemical and histopathological effects. On the contrary, Sil. alone did not change the behavior and biochemical/molecular parameters.

CONCLUSION

The memory-enhancing effect of Sil. in Eth.-induced demented rats may be partly mediated by the augmented antioxidant effects and amelioration of apoptotic and histopathological changes.

The toxic effects of anabolic steroids "nandrolone decanoate" on cardiac and skeletal muscles with the potential ameliorative effects of silymarin and fenugreek seeds extract in adult male albino rats

BACKGROUND

Anabolic steroids (AS) are commonly abused by body builders and athletes aiming to increase their strength and muscle mass but unfortunately, the long-term use of AS may lead to serious side effects. Nandrolone Decanoate is one of the Class II anabolic androgenic steroids which quickly spread globally and used clinically and illicitly. Our research was directed to assess the toxic effects of anabolic steroids on cardiac and skeletal muscles in male albino rats and to evaluate the potential ameliorative effects of fenugreek seeds extract and silymarin.

METHODS

Our research was done on 120 male albino rats that were allocated into 6 groups; group I: Served as a control group, group II: Received the anabolic steroid Nandrolone Decanoate, group III: Received silymarin orally, group IV: Received fenugreek seeds extract orally, group (V): Received the anabolic steroid Nandrolone Decanoate and silymarin and group (VI): Received the anabolic steroid Nandrolone Decanoate and fenugreek seeds extract. By the end of the study, rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis and autopsy samples for histopathological examination.

RESULTS

The anabolic steroids toxic effects on rats showed a significant decrease in serum High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) level and increase in cholesterol, triglycerides, and Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) levels. There was a significant elevation in cardiac troponin I level. As regards to histopathological examination of the cardiac and skeletal muscles, the study showed marked degenerative changes and necrosis. Both silymarin and fenugreek seeds extract provided a protective effect on the biochemical and histopathological changes. The antioxidant effects of silymarin and fenugreek seeds extract were evaluated on the heart, skeletal muscles and showed that, the tissue levels of Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase and reduced glutathione (GSH) decreased in AS treated rats compared to the control group. On the other hand, the tissue Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were elevated.

CONCLUSIONS

Anabolic steroids have a toxic effect on the cardiac and skeletal muscles of albino rats with improvement by treatment with fenugreek seeds extract and silymarin.

The interplay of arsenic, silymarin, and NF-ĸB pathway in male reproductive toxicity: A review

Arsenic toxicity is one of the most trending reasons for several malfunctions, particularly reproductive toxicity. The exact mechanism of arsenic poisoning is a big question mark. Exposure to arsenic reduces sperm count, impairs fertilization, and causes inflammation and genotoxicity through interfering with autophagy, epigenetics, ROS generation, downregulation of essential protein expression, metabolite changes, and hampering several signaling cascades, particularly by the alteration of NF-ĸB pathway. This work tries to give a clear idea about the different aspects of arsenic resulting in male reproductive complications, often leading to infertility. The first part of this article explains the implications of arsenic poisoning and the crosstalk of the NF-ĸB pathway in male reproductive toxicity. Silymarin is a bioactive compound that exerts anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties and has demonstrated hopeful outcomes in several cancers, including colon cancer, breast cancer, and skin cancer, by downregulating the hyperactive NF-ĸB pathway. The next half of this article thus sheds light on silymarin's therapeutic potential in inhibiting the NF-ĸB signaling cascade, thus offering protection against arsenic-induced male reproductive toxicity.

Methotrexate-Induced Alteration of Renal Aquaporins 1 and 2, Oxidative Stress and Tubular Apoptosis Can Be Attenuated by Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation

Methotrexate (MTX) is a potent anti-cancer drug, commonly associated with nephrotoxicity via the induction of oxidative stress and apoptosis with alteration of renal water channel proteins, namely aquaporins (AQPs). Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) have shown cytoprotective effects through their anti-oxidant and antiapoptotic activities. The present study aims for the first time to explore the role of LC-PUFA against MTX-induced nephrotoxicity. Rats were divided into the following groups: saline control, LC-PUFA control, MTX, MTX + LC-PUFA (150 mg/kg), or MTX + LC-PUFA (300 mg/kg). Then, H&E staining and immunohistochemical staining for the anti-apoptosis marker B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), the apoptosis marker BCL2-Associated X Protein (BAX), the proinflammatory marker Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), AQPs 1 and 2 were performed in kidney sections with an assessment of renal oxidative stress. The MTX caused a renal histopathological alteration, upregulated renal BAX and NF-kB, downregulated Bcl-2 and AQP1, altered the distribution of AQP2, and caused oxidative stress. The LC-PUFA attenuated the pathological changes and decreased renal BAX and NF-kB, increased BCL-2 and AQP1, restored the normal distribution of AQP2, and decreased the oxidative stress. Therefore, LC-PUFA is a good adjuvant to MTX to prevent its adverse effects on kidneys through its antiapoptotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effect and its role in the restoration of the expression of AQPs 1 and 2.

Protective effect of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate against methotrexate-induced testicular damage

The aim of the study was to investigate the protective effect of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) against methotrexate (MTX)-induced testicular damage in rats. Forty Wistar albino male rats were divided into equally four groups: Control group (saline solution, IP), PDTC group (100 mg/kg PDTC,IP, 10 days), MTX group (20 mg/kg MTX, IP, single dose, on the 6th day) and MTX + PDTC group (100 mg/kg PDTC, IP, 10 days and 20 mg/kg MTX, IP, single dose, on the 6th day). After 10 days, testicular tissues were excised for morphometric, histological and immunohistochemical evaluations. Serum testosterone, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and prokineticin 2 (PK2) levels were determined. Body and testicular weights were measured. Testicular damage was assessed by histological evaluation. Nuclear factor kappa B (NFkB), nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and PK2 immunoreactivities were evaluated by HSCORE. Body and testicular weights, serum FSH, LH, testosterone levels, seminiferous tubule diameter and germinal epithelial thickness were significantly decreased in the MTX group. However, serum PK2 level, histologically damaged seminiferous tubules and interstitial field width were significantly increased. Additionally, there was an increase in NFkB and PK2 immunoreactivity, whereas there was a significant decrease in Nrf2 immunoreactivity. PDTC significantly improved hormonal, morphometric, histological and immunohistochemical findings. Taken together, we conclude that PDTC may reduce MTX-induced testicular damage via NFkB, Nrf2 and PK2 signaling pathways.

Analysis of silymarin-modulating effects against acrylamide-induced cerebellar damage in male rats: Biochemical and pathological markers

BACKGROUND

Acrylamide (ACR) is a well-proven neurotoxin and potential food carcinogen in humans and rodent models. Silymarin (SIL) is a flavonoid mixture isolated from seeds, leaves, and fruits of Silymarin marianum (milk thistle) that possesses a free-radical scavenging effect.

OBJECTIVE

In this work, the primary focus was to investigate the efficacy of SIL to mitigate ACR-induced subacute neurotoxic effects and oxidative changes in rat cerebellum.

METHODS

Adult male rats were treated intraperitoneally with ACR (50 mg/kg) with or without SIL (160 mg/kg). The neuropathology and biochemical parameters viz. lipid peroxidation (measured as levels of malondialdehyde or MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT), dopamine (DA), and cathepsin D (CTSD) in the cerebellum have been evaluated.

RESULTS

The data showed that ACR induced redox disruptions as measured by increased MDA levels and inhibition of CAT, SOD, and GPx antioxidant enzyme activities. Besides, cerebellar monoamine neurotransmitters, 5-HT and DA, were depleted in ACR-treated rats. Furthermore, ACR administration caused a significant elevation of CTSD activity, indicating that ACR could trigger apoptosis or apoptosis-like death. At the tissue level, cerebellar cortex sections from ACR-treated animals were characterized by severe neuronal damage. The administration of SIL to ACR-treated rats remarkably alleviated all the aforementioned ACR-induced effects.

CONCLUSION

SIL has a potent therapeutic effect against ACR-induced cerebellar neurotoxicity in experimental rats via the attenuation of oxidative/antioxidative responses and the inhibition of CTSD-activity.

Zingerone protects liver and kidney tissues by preventing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in methotrexate-treated rats

The clinical use of drugs used in the treatment of diseases is limited due to the toxic side effects, and many studies have been conducted to benefit from herbal adjuvant therapies recently to eliminate these effects. In this study, the protective effect of zingerone against liver and kidney damage generated in rats through methotrexate (MTX). Histopathological investigations were performed to determine tissue damage caused by MTX and the healing effect of zingone and liver function markers such as serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and renal function markers such as urea, creatine, and aquaporin-1 (AQP-1) were measured. The effects of MTX and protective properties of zingerone on oxidative stress were investigated through the measurement of malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzyme activities. The anti-inflammatory effect of zingerone was determined by measuring the cytokine levels causing inflammation such as nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and its effects on apoptosis were determined by immunohistochemical analysis of caspase-3 and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) expression levels. According to the results obtained within the scope of the study, it was determined that zingerone treatment prevented the increase in MTX-induced liver and kidney function markers, showed healing effects on antioxidant parameters degraded in both tissues, and decreased the inflammation parameters. It was determined that it also prevented apoptosis and possessed a protective effect on disrupted tissue architecture by decreasing the increased caspase-3 expression and increasing the decreased Bcl-2 level.

Negative effect of feeding with high energy diets on testes and metabolic blood parameters of male Japanese quails, and positive role of milk thistle seed

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the changes in testicular tissue and cell count, testicular oxidative stress and some metabolic blood parameters of male broiler Japanese quails fed with high energy diet and milk thistle (Silybum marianum) seed. One hundred-twenty male 15-day-old Japanese quail chicks were divided into 4 equal groups with 30 each. The applications in each group were repeated 3 times with 10 animals each. Control group was fed with basal diet. Milk thistle seed group was fed with diet including 1% milk thistle seed. High energy diet group was fed with high energy diet including 10% corn syrup. High energy diet + milk thistle seed group was fed with high energy diet including 10% corn syrup along with 1% milk thistle seed. The feeding period in all groups was 35 days. When the quails reached 50 days old, a total of 48, 12 from each group (4 from each replication) were euthanized and blood samples and testes were collected. Compared with the control group, significant increases in body weight, serum cholesterol and glucose level, aspartate aminotransferase activity and testicular malondialdehyde level; however, significant decreases in serum testosterone level, testicular glutathione peroxidase activity, counts of round and elongated spermatid and sperm as well as histopathologically, significant decreases in seminiferous tubular diameter and seminiferous epithelium thickness, and marked disorganization in germinal cells were determined in quails fed with high energy diet. It was observed that almost all of the disturbances in testicular tissue, cell number, oxidant-antioxidant balance and metabolic blood parameters caused by feeding with high energy diet were significantly prevented by supplementation of milk thistle seed to the diet with high energy. On the other hand, alone milk thistle seed and high energy diet + milk thistle seed administrations decreased body weight in comparison to control and high energy diet groups. As a result, feeding with high energy diet causes disturbances in testes of male quails by affecting liver metabolic functions and testicular oxidant-antioxidant balance, but milk thistle seed addition to diet plays a protective role.