Ameliorative Influence of Ajwa Dates on Ochratoxin A-Induced Testis Toxicity

Protective effects of Ajwa date extract against tissue damage induced by acute diclofenac toxicity

Objectives

To investigate the tissue-protective effects of Ajwa date fruits (a Prophetic medicinal remedy) against acute diclofenac toxicity.

Methods

Albino Sprague–Dawley rats were allocated to four experimental groups: a negative control group, an Ajwa-only group that received 2 g/kg of Ajwa date extract (ADE) orally, an acute diclofenac toxicity group that received 200 mg diclofenac once intraperitoneally, and a treatment group that received diclofenac and ADE after 4 h. Histological examinations of rat lung and liver tissues were performed.

Results

Acute diclofenac toxicity caused marked hepatic derangements, such as congested central veins, congested blood sinusoids, hyaline degeneration, and hepatocyte necrosis. Toxic diclofenac overdose resulted in markedly congested alveolar capillaries and alveolar haemorrhages, thick edematous alveolar walls, and edema fluid exudates in the alveoli. Upon treatment with ADE, significant reduction in diclofenac-induced hepatic and pulmonary derangements were observed.

Conclusion

ADE is a safe, tissue-protective nutritional agent that alleviates cellular and tissue-damaging effects due to acute diclofenac toxicity. ADE relieved hepatic and pulmonary changes induced by acute diclofenac toxicity. The use of ADE is recommended for the treatment of acute diclofenac toxicity.

Ochratoxin A suppresses proliferation of Sertoli and Leydig cells in mice

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin originating from Penicillium and Aspergillus. In addition to toxic effects in various tissues and cells, including neurons, immune cells, hepatocytes, and nephrons, it also causes carcinogenesis and teratogenesis. Although the negative effects of OTA with respect to the pathogenesis of diseases and the malfunction of various organs have been studied widely, the biological signaling mechanisms in testicular cells are less well known. Therefore, we determined the hazardous effect of OTA in two types of testicular cells: TM3 (mouse Leydig cells) and TM4 (mouse Sertoli cells). Treatment with OTA led to a significant decrease in the proliferation of both cell lines, as revealed by an increased proportion of cells in the sub-G1 phase. In addition, the phosphorylation of signaling molecules belonging to the PI3K (Akt, P70S6K, and S6) and MAPK (ERK1/2 and JNK) pathways was regulated by OTA in a dose-dependent manner in TM3 and TM4 cells. Furthermore, the combination treatment of OTA and signaling inhibitors (LY294002, U0126, or SP600125) exerted synergistic antiproliferative effects in TM3 and TM4 cells. OTA also reduced the concentration of calcium ions in the cytosol and mitochondria, which disrupted the calcium homeostasis necessary for maintaining the normal physiological functions of testicular cells. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrate the mechanism underlying the antiproliferative effects of OTA in mouse testicular cells. Exposure to OTA may result in abnormal sperm maturation and the failure of spermatogenesis, which leads to male infertility.