Beneficial effects of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris LL95 treatment in an LPS-induced depression-like model in mice

Clinical evidence suggests that neuroinflammation, activation of the immune system, and the composition of the intestinal microbiota are involved in the pathology of depression. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a probiotic intervention using Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris LL95 in ameliorating mood disorders in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced depression-like mouse model. C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups and treated with 5 mg/kg LPS via intraperitoneal injection to induce depression-like symptoms, followed by oral administration of LL95 for one week (1 × 109 CFU/mouse). The animals were then subjected to a series of behavioral assessments, including open field, sucrose preference, and forced swimming tests. In addition, we evaluated the levels of reactive oxygen species, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β in the hippocampal tissues of these animals, and also determined their fecal lactic acid bacteria (LAB) content. LL95 intervention improved LPS-induced depression-like behaviors in mice, including decreased sucrose preference and increased immobility time in the forced swim test. LL95 treatment reversed the LPS-induced increase in hippocampal levels of reactive oxygen species and tumor necrosis factor-α, and of interleukin-1β to a lesser extent. Furthermore, LL95 intervention increased the fecal LAB content in these animals, suggesting changes in the gut microbiota. These findings suggest that LL95 exerts antidepressant-like effects in LPS-induced depression, which may be attributed to modulation of the oxidative status and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in the hippocampus and alteration in the LAB content of the gut microbiota.

A subchronic low-dose exposure of a glyphosate-based herbicide induces depressive and anxious-like behavior in mice: quercetin therapeutic approach

In this study, we investigated the possible role of pesticide exposure in contributing to neurological diseases such as depression. Here, we evaluated whether a subchronic low dose of a glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) could induce alterations in the central nervous system, using the flavonoid quercetin as a therapeutic strategy. Forty mice were divided into four treatment groups: control, GBH, quercetin, and GBH+Quer groups and received 50 mg/kg of GBH solution, 30 mg/kg of quercetin, and/or vehicles for 30 days via gavage. After performing behavioral tests, such as the open field (OF), elevated plus maze (EPM), forced swim test (FST), and sucrose preference test (SPT), the mice were euthanized and their hippocampal tissues were collected to measure the levels of oxidative stress markers such as reactive species (RS), total antioxidant capacity (FRAP), reduced glutathione (GSH), and acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE), as well as for histological evaluation. The GBH group showed anxious and depressive-like behavior in the EPM and FST tests, as well as increased levels of RS and decreased GSH levels in the hippocampus. Quercetin treatment in the GBH+Quer group allowed partial or total improvement in behavioral tests (EPM and FST) and in the levels of oxidative stress markers (RS and GSH). However, the quercetin group showed similar behavior to the GBH group after treatment. The results revealed that oral exposure to a subchronic low dose of GBH was capable of promoting effects on behavior and oxidative stress in the hippocampus of mice. In addition, despite quercetin having a neuroprotective role, caution is needed when considering the possible per se effects of its continuous supplementation.

Comparative effect of Camellia sinensis teas on object recognition test deficit and metabolic changes induced by cafeteria diet

Objectives: Consumption of high-fat and high-sugar diets in Western countries has increased significantly causing major global health problems including metabolic syndrome and obesity. In addition, studies have suggested that obesity can lead to learning and memory deficits. In this context, the use of natural compounds with low costs, minor side effects and increased antioxidant activity, such as teas, could reduce the damages induced by obesity. We investigated the effect of white, green, red, and black teas (Camellia sinensis) and their possible neuroprotective mechanisms in an experimental obesity model induced by a cafeteria diet (CD). Methods: Female Swiss mice (20-30 g) were used; they received a normal diet or a hypercaloric diet (CD) during 8 weeks. Concomitantly, some mice received orally white, green, red, or black teas (1% dose) or water. Results: The mice subjected to CD showed weight gain, body fat accumulation, increased glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides, associated to recognition memory deficits and increased reactive species (RS) levels and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the hippocampus. All teas significantly reduced AChE activity and partially reduced fat accumulation. Green and red teas reduced memory deficit. White, green, and black teas reduced RS levels, while only green and black tea reduced plasma triglyceride levels. Discussion: According to the results obtained it is possible to conclude that green tea was better than other teas in reducing effects of the CD model, being able to protect a greater number of parameters.

Blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) extract ameliorates ovarian damage induced by subchronic cadmium exposure in mice: Potential δ-ALA-D involvement

Females are born with a finite number of oocyte-containing follicles and ovary damage results in reduced fertility. Cadmium accumulates in the reproductive system, damaging it, and the cigarette smoke is a potential exposure route. Natural therapies are relevant to health benefits and disease prevention. This study verified the effect of cadmium exposure on the ovaries of mice and the blueberry extract as a potential therapy. Blueberry therapy was effective in restoring reactive species levels and δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity, and partially improved the viability of cadmium-disrupted follicles. This therapy was not able to restore the 17 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Extract HPLC evaluation indicated the presence of quercetin, quercitrin, isoquercetin, and ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid was the major substance and its concentration was 620.24 µg/mL. Thus, cadmium accumulates in the ovaries of mice after subchronic exposure, inducing cellular damage, and the blueberry extract possesses antioxidant properties that could protect, at least in part, the ovarian tissue from cadmium toxicity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 188-196, 2017.

Effect of quinine-loaded polysorbate-coated nanocapsules on male and female reproductive systems of rats

Quinine is an antimalarial drug; however, its use is limited by its narrow therapeutic index and elevated side effects. The nanosystems are promising delivery vehicles of antimalarial drugs, enhancing their therapeutic potential. This study aimed to compare the toxicity of quinine and quinine loaded nanocapsules (Q-NC) on the reproductive system of male and female rats. The animals received quinine or Q-NC orally at the same dose of 25 mg kg^-1 for 7 days (real period of quinine therapy in humans). 24 hours after the last administration, the rats were euthanized and the ovarian and testicular tissues were removed for histological and biochemical analyses. The groups treated with quinine presented ovarian and testicular damage, evidenced by the increase of reactive species and malondialdehyde levels, the decrease of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity and alterations on total antioxidant capacity. The females presented a decrease of follicular viability and the males presented a decrease of spermatozoa membrane integrity, as well as moderated histological alterations on testis after the exposure to quinine. After the treatment with Q-NC, the males presented decreased reactive species levels and total antioxidant capacity at control levels, as well as spermatozoa with 100% of membrane integrity. The females treated with Q-NC presented reactive species levels, total antioxidant capacity, 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity and follicular viability at control levels, and decreased malondialdehyde levels when compared to quinine, but not at control levels. This study demonstrated that loading polymeric nanocapsules with quinine decreased the deleterious effects induced by quinine on ovaries and partially on testicles.

Green tea infusion improves cyclophosphamide-induced damage on male mice reproductive system

Green tea presents catechins as its major components and it has a potential antioxidant activity. Cyclophosmamide (CP) is an antineoplastic and immunosuppressive agent, known to reduce fertility. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of green tea infusion on cyclophosphamide-induced damage in male mice reproductive system. Mice received green tea infusion (250 mg/kg) or vehicle by gavage for 14 days. Saline or CP were injected intraperitoneally at a single dose (100 mg/kg) at the 14th day. Animals were euthanized 24 h after CP administration and testes and epididymis were removed for biochemical analysis and sperm evaluation. Catechins concentration in green tea infusion was evaluated by HPLC. CP increased lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and superoxide dismutase activity whereas sperm concentration, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and 17β-hydroxysteroid (17β-HSD) dehydrogenase activities were reduced in both tissues tested. Catalase activity and protein carbonyl levels were changed only in testes, after CP administration. Green tea pre-treatment reduced significantly lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, DNA damage and restored GPx and GST activity in testes. In epididymis, therapy significantly increased sperm concentration and restored GPx and 17β-HSD activity. Green tea improves CP-induced damage on reproductive system, probably due to their high catechins content.

Catechins are not major components responsible for the beneficial effect of Camellia sinensis on the ovarian δ-ALA-D activity inhibited by cadmium

Cadmium has been associated with a wide spectrum of deleterious effects on the reproductive tissues, including ovary. This investigation evaluated the protective role of Camellia sinensis (green, white and red teas) in the cadmium-induced inhibition of ovarian δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) activity in vitro and ex vivo. This study demonstrated that green and white teas restored the cow ovary δ-ALA-D activity inhibited by cadmium whereas red tea had no effect in vitro. In addition, green tea was able to restore enzyme activity inhibited after acute cadmium exposure in mice ovary. Teas infusions composition was assessed by HPLC in a quantitative assay for catechins, purine alkaloids and gallic acid as well as total polyphenol content. The greatest effect of green tea observed in vitro as well as the protective role presented in the ex vivo study could be attributed to the major content of phenols, but not catechins. In fact, catechins were not able to restore enzyme activity inhibited by cadmium, demonstrating that these compounds are not major components responsible for the beneficial effect of green tea observed in this study. This study demonstrated the helpful effect of green tea infusion in ameliorating a marker protein of cadmium intoxication in ovarian tissue.