Effect of dimethyl sulfoxide on inhibition of post-ovariectomy osteopenia in rats

Carvacrol treatment opens Kir6.2 ATP-dependent potassium channels and prevents apoptosis on rat testis following ischemia-reperfusion injury model

Testicular torsion is a urological problem that causes subfertility and testicular damage in males. Testis torsion and detorsion lead to ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury in the testis. Testicular IR injury causes the increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress (OS) and germ cell-specific apoptosis. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether Carvacrol has a protective effect on testicular IR injury and its effects on Kir6.2 channels, which is a member of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-dependent potassium channels. In the study, 2–4 months old 36 albino Wistar rats were used. For experimental testicular IR model, the left testis was rotated counterclockwise at 720° for two hours, and after two hours following torsion, detorsion was performed. Carvacrol was dissolved in 5% Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) at a dose of 73 mg/kg and half an hour before detorsion, 0.2 mL was administered intraperitoneally. In testicular tissues, caspase 3 and Kir6.2 immunoexpressions were examined. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and testosterone levels were measured. Apoptotic cells and serum MDA levels were significantly decreased and Kir6.2 activation was significantly increased in Carvacrol-administrated IR group. As a result of our study, Carvacrol may activates Kir6.2 channels and inhibits apoptosis and may have a protective effect on testicular IR injury.

Effect of the lipoxygenase inhibitor baicalein on bone tissue and bone healing in ovariectomized rats

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is one of the world's major medical burdens in the twenty-first century. Pharmaceutical intervention currently focusses on decelerating bone loss, but phytochemicals such as baicalein, which is a lipoxygenase inhibitor, may rescue bone loss. Studies evaluating the effect of baicalein in vivo are rare.

METHODS

We administered baicalein to sixty-one three-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats. They were divided into five groups, four of which were ovariectomized (OVX) and one non-ovariectomized (NON-OVX). Eight weeks after ovariectomy, bilateral tibial osteotomy with plate osteosynthesis was performed and bone formation quantified. Baicalein was administered subcutaneously using three doses (C1: 1 mg/kg BW; C2: 10 mg/kg BW; and C3: 100 mg/kg BW) eight weeks after ovariectomy for four weeks. Finally, femora and tibiae were collected. Biomechanical tests, micro-CT, ashing, histological and gene expression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Biomechanical properties were unchanged in tibiae and reduced in femora. In tibiae, C1 treatment enhanced callus density and cortical width and decreased callus area. In the C3 group, callus formation was reduced during the first 3 weeks after osteotomy, correlating to a higher mRNA expression of Osteocalcin, Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and Rankl. In femora, baicalein treatments did not alter bone parameters.

CONCLUSIONS

Baicalein enhanced callus density and cortical width but impaired early callus formation in tibiae. In femora, it diminished the biomechanical properties and calcium-to-phosphate ratio. Thus, it is not advisable to apply baicalein to treat early bone fractures. To determine the exact effects on bone healing, further studies in which baicalein treatments are started at different stages of healing are needed.