Ameliorative effect of vitamin B12 on seminiferous epithelium of cimetidine-treated rats: a histopathological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study

Ameliorative action of eugenol on nitrate induced reproductive toxicity in male rats

There is a great concern for studies to prevent nitrate (NO3) induced male reproductive toxicity as it might lead to infertility. Therefore, the study was aimed to investigate the ameliorative effects of eugenol on NO3 induced male reproductive toxicity in wistar rats. Adult male rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=5). The first group was served as control, the second and third group of rats were treated with 100 mg/kg bw of sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and NO3 contaminated ground water respectively. The fourth and fifth group of rats were orally intubated with eugenol (100 mg/kg bw) and then exposed to NaNO3 and NO3 contaminated ground water respectively. The treatment was continued for 52 days. Nitrate exposure significantly decreased the sperm motility, testicular 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity, serum concentration of testosterone, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in testis and spermatozoa and different categories of germ cells in stage VII of spermatogenesis. Further, there was significant increase in sperm abnormality and levels of nitrite (NO2) and malondialdehyde in testis and spermatozoa of NO3 treated rats. In addition, NO3 exposure distorted the histological architecture of seminiferous tubules of testis. It was established that NO3 induced high production of NO2 affected spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis and sperm motility. However, in the present study, pretreatment of eugenol prevented NO3 induced reproductive alterations by decreasing the level of NO2. These findings clearly showed the protective action of eugenol against NO3 induced oxidative stress in male reproductive system.

Evaluation of the sperm parameters, oxidative stress, and histopathological effects of vitamin B12 in preventing Helicobacter pylori-induced testicular toxicity: An experimental study

Background

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) causes sterility by affecting the reproductive system. Vitamin B12 improves sperm quantity and function.

Objective

Vitamin B12 protection against H. pylori adverse effects was investigated.

Materials and Methods

40 C57 male mice (6 wk) were randomly assigned to 4 equal groups (n = 10) including, group 1 (control without any intervention), group 2 (H), 3 (HP), and 4 (HB) received 1 × 109 colony forming unit (CFU) of H. pylori, 1 × 109 CFU of H. pylori+phosphate buffered saline, 1 × 109 CFU of H. pylori+50 μ g/kg vitamin B  12 intraperitoneally, respectively. In the induction groups, the H. pylori was orogasterically injected 3 times with 1 cc phosphate buffered saline throughout the day. Then testicular metrics, sperm motility, viability, quantity, and shape, plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity were measured. Also, testicular-tissue changes were examined using Johnson scores, tubular differentiation index, and spermatogenesis index. Vitamin B12, homocysteine, and testosterone serum levels were examined.

Results

The results showed a significantly lower Johnson score, tubular differentiation index, and spermatogenesis index, and serum level of testosterone and homocysteine as well as a higher MDA level in the H and HP groups than the HB group (p < 0.05). In contrast, the highest superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes activity and total antioxidant capacity as well as the lowest serum level of MDA were found in the HB group compared to other groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Vitamin B  12 increased antioxidant enzyme activity, enhanced sperm parameters, and decreased injury to testicular tissue. It can be used as a potent antioxidant in reducing testicular damage induced by H. pylori.

Long-term exposure to cimetidine induced gonado-toxicity in male rats: Modulating role of Ocimum gratissimum

BACKGROUND

Available evidence suggests that cimetidine is a reproductive toxicant that induces sexual and testicular dysfunction. Ocimum gratissimum (OG) is globally consumed for medicinal and nutritional purposes. To determine the modulating role of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum on cimetidine-induced gonado-toxicity, sexually mature male rats were randomized into four groups of six (n=6) rats each. Group A: control given 2ml distilled water. Group B received 500mg/kg body weight (bwt) of OG extract, Group C received 50mg/kg bwt cimetidine, and group D received 50mg/kg bwt of cimetidine+500mg/kg bwt OG extract once daily for 8 weeks via gastric gavage. Parameters tested include sperm parameters, testosterone (TT), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and prolactin, testicular alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acid phosphatase (ACP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), protein, cholesterol, glycogen, sexual behavioural parameters, and testicular histology.

RESULTS

There were depletions in the seminiferous epithelium, decreased sperm quality, TT, LH, and FSH, testicular enzymes, protein, cholesterol, glycogen, and sexual behaviour increase in animals treated with cimetidine only compared to control. OG restored and improved sexual behaviour and libido as evident from increased frequencies of mount, intromission, ejaculation, and ejaculatory latency. Mount latencies, intromission, post-ejaculation, and prolactin were significantly decreased. The significantly decreased testicular activities of ALP, ACP, LDH and protein, cholesterol, glycogen concentrations, TT, LH and FSH were increased by OG administration.

CONCLUSION

Ocimum gratissimum attenuated the deleterious effects of cimetidine on the testis, protected the seminiferous epithelium, restored, and boosted sexual competence, and promoted spermatogenesis.

Evaluation by different mechanisms of the protective effects of vitamin B12 on methotrexate nephrotoxicity

Methotrexate is used for cure of many cancer types. It has many side effects. For this reason, obtaining a nephroprotective agent is obligatory. In the study, our aim is to determine probable effects of Vitamin B12 on MTX caused kidney damages in rats. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, including 8 animals in each group. Control group, VitB12 group (3 μg-kg-ip B12 throughout 15 days), MTX group (at the 8th day of experiment, a single dose of 20 mg-kg-ip MTX), Vit B12 + MTX group (3 μg-kg-ip B12 throughout 15 days and at the 8th day of experiment, a single dose of 20 mg-kg-ip MTX) Animals were anesthetized and kidney tissues were removed to evaluate biochemically, immunohistochemically and histopathologycally. There were histopathological deteriorations, rises of apoptotic cells, expressions of heat shock proteins, endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation markers in the MTX group. In the MTX group, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) and Catalase (CAT) levels decreased, but Total Oxidant Status TOS, Malondialdehyde (MDA) and interleukin-6 (IL6) levels increased. In addition, there was amelioration in kidney tissue in Vit B12 + MTX group compared to the MTX group. We suggest that Vit B12 can be used to reduce the toxic effects of MTX.

Effect of Nandrolone decanoate induced-oxidative stress on rat testes, prostate, and seminal vesicle: Biochemical, morphometric and histopathological studies

Nandrolone decanoate (Nd) is a highly abused androgenic-anabolic steroid among body builders. Even though it has weak androgenic effects, its prolonged use may have harmful impact on male reproductive system which needs to be evaluated. This study aimed to reinvestigate its possible oxidative stress induced alteration on male rat reproductive system. Twenty-eight male rats were divided into two groups. Nd treated group (n = 18) injected intramuscular with 10 mg/kg body weight once a week for four weeks. While, the control group (n = 10) was injected with physiologic saline by the same route for four weeks. Body weight was recorded for all rats and after animal dissection weight of testes, prostate and seminal vesicles were also recorded. The results showed that the average testicular weight was decreased in treated group compared to the control. The average weights of the prostate and seminal vesicles were increased compared to the control. Morphometric study revealed that in Nd treated group, there was a decrease in the width of seminiferous tubules and the height of spermatogenic cell layer compared to the control. Testicular degeneration was expressed by presence of spermatid giant cells, vacuolation, and degenerated spermatozoa. Tunnel technique showed scattered positive reaction among the spermatogenic cell layers and interstitial cells. Severe alterations of the prostate were expressed by benign prostate hyperplasia and retained secretions. Lipid peroxidation products (malonaldehyde concentration as ng/g of testicular tissue) were increased in treated group compared to the control and suggested the occurrence of oxidative damage. Nd induced severe alterations in the male genital organs were resulted from oxidative stress. It is concluded that the male genital organs are highly sensitive to the anabolic steroids and there is a high extent of reproductive risk associated with the use of AASs.