Effects of Dextran-Coated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Mouse Embryo Development, Antioxidant Enzymes and Apoptosis Genes Expression, and Ultrastructure of Sperm, Oocytes and Granulosa Cells

Magnetic nanomaterials mediate precise magnetic therapy

Magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)-mediated precision magnet therapy plays a crucial role in treating various diseases. This therapeutic strategy compensates for the limitations of low spatial resolution and low focusing of magnetic stimulation, and realizes the goal of wireless teletherapy with precise targeting of focal areas. This paper summarizes the preparation methods of magnetic nanomaterials, the properties of magnetic nanoparticles, the biological effects, and the measurement methods for detecting magnetism; discusses the research progress of precision magnetotherapy in the treatment of psychiatric disorders, neurological injuries, metabolic disorders, and bone-related disorders, and looks forward to the future development trend of precision magnet therapy.

Curcumin mitigates acrylamide-induced ovarian antioxidant disruption and apoptosis in female Balb/c mice: A comprehensive study on gene and protein expressions

Curcumin is known for its antioxidant properties. This study aimed to investigate the impact of curcumin on acrylamide (ACR)-induced alterations in the first-line antioxidant defense of ovarian tissue. Female Balb/c mice were divided into control, ACR (50 mg/kg), ACR/CUR100 (received Acr + curcumin100 mg/kg), and ACR/CUR200 (Acr + curcumin 200 mg/kg) groups, and received oral treatments for 35 days. Evaluation of antioxidant enzyme expression (Sod, Cat, Gpx genes), pro-apoptotic gene expressions (Bax, Caspase 3), and anti-apoptotic gene expression (Bcl2l1) at mRNA and protein levels was done. Percentage of apoptotic cells using Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was performed. The model group (ACR) showed decreased mRNA expression of Sod, Cat, and Gpx genes compared with the control group. Treatment with two different doses of curcumin (CUR100 and CUR200) significantly increased Sod, Cat, and Gpx gene expression, with CUR200 demonstrating significant recovery. SOD, CAT, and GPX protein levels were similar to mRNA expression trends, significantly increased with curcumin administration. Acrylamide exposure significantly increased Bax and Caspase 3 expression and decreased Bcl2l1 gene expression leading to a notable rise in apoptosis in ACR group as compared to the control group. Conversely, curcumin administration, significantly reduced Bax and Caspase 3 expressions, with an increase in Bcl2l1expression, though not statistically significant. TUNEL assay revealed a substantial decrease in apoptosis in curcumin-received groups. In our study, ACR exposure adversely affected ovarian antioxidant defense thereby leading to increased pro-apoptotic markers. Notably, curcumin treatment effectively mitigated these effects, restored antioxidant potential, and reduced acrylamide-induced toxicity in female mouse ovaries.

Thymoquinone ameliorates bleomycin-induced reproductive toxicity in male Balb/c mice

Bleomycin (BL) is a powerful chemotherapy drug that has devastating effects on spermatogenic function and may make cancer survivors at risk of infertility. Protective effects of thymoquinone (TQ), a phytochemical compound with antioxidant and anticancer influences, were investigated on sperm parameters, testicular structures, and sexual hormones in BL-treated mice. Forty-eight adult male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into six groups. Control group received normal saline; BL group received 10 mg/kg BL; TQ7.5 group received 7.5 mg/kg TQ; TQ15 group received 15 mg/kg TQ; BL+TQ7.5 group received 10 mg/kg BL and 7.5 mg/kg TQ; BL + TQ15 group received 10 mg/kg BL and 15 mg/kg TQ. BL was intraperitoneally used every day through 35 days, and TQ was intraperitoneally injected 3 days before administration of BL and continued twice per week for 35 days. Results showed that BL significantly decreased count, viability, morphology, maturity, and progressive movement of sperm, testosterone, seminiferous tubule diameters, the ratio of testis weight to body weight, number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, and Sertoli cells per tubule, and expression of Bcl2l1 and Bcl2l1/Bax ratio, and increased the non-progressive movement and immotile sperm, intermediate and immature sperm, LH, FSH, and malondialdehyde levels, and tunica albuginea thickness compared to the control group (p < .05). TQ at a level of 7.5 mg/kg ameliorated BL-induced toxicity on measured parameters and returned most of them to the level of the control group. These data suggested TQ in a dose-dependent manner may have positive effects on BL-induced toxicity of the testis in mice model.

Modified Spirulina maxima Pectin Nanoparticles Improve the Developmental Competence of In Vitro Matured Porcine Oocytes

Simple Summary

Poor in vitro embryo development is a major obstacle in porcine assisted reproduction. In the current study, we utilized modified Spirulina maxima pectin nanoparticles as a supplement to improve porcine in vitro maturation medium. Results showed that modified Spirulina maxima pectin nanoparticles at 2.5 µg/mL improved oocyte maturation in form of first polar body extrusion, reduced oxidative stress, and increased the developmental competence of the oocytes after parthenogenetic activation and somatic cell nuclear transfer. Moreover, the relative transcripts quantification showed significant increase in the pluripotency-associated transcripts in the resultant cloned embryos after modified Spirulina maxima pectin nanoparticles supplementation. Therefore, we provide an optimum in vitro maturation condition to improve the in vitro embryo production in porcine.

Abstract

Molecular approaches have been used to determine metabolic substrates involved in the early embryonic processes to provide adequate culture conditions. To investigate the effect of modified Spirulina maxima pectin nanoparticles (MSmPNPs) on oocyte developmental competence, cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) retrieved from pig slaughterhouse ovaries were subjected to various concentrations of MSmPNPs (0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10 µg/mL) during in vitro maturation (IVM). In comparison to the control, MSmPNPs-5.0, and MSmPNPs-10 groups, oocytes treated with 2.5 µg/mL MSmPNPs had significantly increased glutathione (GSH) levels and lower levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Following parthenogenetic activation, the MSmPNPs-2.5 group had a considerably higher maturation and cleavage rates, blastocyst development, total cell number, and ratio of inner cell mass/trophectoderm (ICM:TE) cells, when compared with those in the control and all other treated groups. Furthermore, similar findings were reported for the developmental competence of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-derived embryos. Additionally, the relative quantification of POU5F1, DPPA2, and NDP52 mRNA transcript levels were significantly higher in the MSmPNPs-2.5 group than in the control and other treated groups. Taken together, the current findings suggest that MSmPNP treatment alleviates oxidative stress and enhances the developmental competence of porcine in vitro matured oocytes after parthenogenetic activation and SCNT.