Stereological and histopathological evaluation of doxorubicin-induced toxicity in female rats' ovary and uterus and palliative effects of quercetin and vitamin E

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent with demonstrated reproductive toxicity. This study sought to determine the DOX-induced toxicity in the ovary and uterus and the preventive effects of quercetin (QCT) and vitamin E (Vit.E). Female rats were divided into six groups as follows: control, QCT (20 mg/kg), Vit.E (200 mg/kg), DOX (accumulative 15 mg/kg), DOX/QCT, and DOX/Vit.E. After 3 weeks, the toxicity of DOX in ovarian and uterine tissues and the potential palliative effects of QCT and Vit.E were evaluated by histopathological-stereological methods. The findings indicate a dramatic decline in the number of ovarian follicles (p < 0.001), ovarian and its associated structures volume, the volume of the uterus, its layers, and related structures (p < 0.05). Coadministration of QCT and Vit.E with DOX-treated rats demonstrated an alleviative effect on most of the studied parameters. Nevertheless, few adverse effects were recognized concerning these antioxidants administration (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the findings of this study support the protective role of these dietary supplements in the prevention of DOX-induced toxicity in uterine and ovarian tissues.

Investigating the effect of testosterone by itself and in combination with letrozole on 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D and FGF23 in male rats

BACKGROUND

Testosterone deficiency might be associated with vitamin D levels in hypogonadal men, but it is not clear whether testosterone can affect vitamin D and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23), either directly or indirectly via aromatization to estradiol. We aimed to investigate the role of testosterone on vitamin D metabolism and serum FGF23 in male rats.

METHODS

A total of 48 male rats were divided into 4 equal groups: sham; O, orchiectomy; O + T, orchiectomized rats treated with testosterone; and O + T + L, orchiectomized rats treated with combination of testosterone and letrozole. We compare the vitamin D metabolism biochemical parameters in these four groups, before and after the study.

RESULTS

We detected a significant reduction in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), vitamin D binding protein (DBP), FGF23, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) serum level in O group compared to sham group (p = 0.004, p = 0.009, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), and a significant increase in serum phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in orchiectomized rats in comparison to sham group (p < 0.001, p = 0.022, and p = 0.006, respectively). However, these changes were corrected by testosterone replacement in O + T and O + T + L groups. In addition, we found that DBP and 1,25(OH)2D serum levels were significantly higher in O + T group in comparison to O + T + L group (p = 0.030 and p = 0.026, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Testosterone plays a significant role on regulating 25(OH)D, DBP, FGF23, phosphate (Phos), PTH, and 1,25(OH)2D serum levels in male rats. Also, testosterone has a potent effect on 1,25(OH)2D and DBP by its conversion to estradiol.

Stereological study of the effect of black olive hydroalcoholic extract on osteoporosis in vertebra and tibia in ovariectomized rats

A cocktail of many different antioxidants might be more effective than supplementation with a single molecule, and it closely resembles the natural environment in which active compounds were found. This is the first study well-grounded in stereological examination that showed that black olive extract effectively can ameliorate the quantitative changes of the bone structure and prevented bone loss in this osteoporosis animal model.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the effects of black olive extract consumption on treatment of ovariectomized (OVX) induced osteoporosis in rats. This is the first study well-grounded in stereological examination.

METHODS

Ninety adult rats were allocated to control, sham-operated, OVX, and olive-supplemented OVX groups (received 250-, 500-, and 750-mg/kg body weight black olive hydroalcoholic extract orally) for 16 weeks. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected, and plasma levels of calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase were assayed. Then, the specimens from both the tibia and fifth lumbar vertebra (L5) bones were processed, and stereological analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Administration of extract resulted in decrease of alkaline phosphatase level during the treatment. After treatment of OVX rats with three doses of extract, the total number of the osteocytes revealed an increment in 500- and 750-mg/kg treated groups in comparison to the OVX group. This increment was significant only in L5. Compared to the OVX group, a significant increase was observed in the number of osteoblastsin L5 vertebra in three doses of extract-treated groups. However, this increment in tibia was statistically significant only in 750-mg/kg black olive hydroalcoholic extract-treated group. Moreover, the number of osteoclast cells were significantly decreased in vertebra and tibia in the treated groups compared to the OVX group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Black olive hydroalcoholic extract effectively can ameliorate the quantitative changes of the bone structure and prevented bone loss in this osteoporosis animal model. Thus, it can be a promising candidate for treatment of accelerated bone loss especially in postmenopausal osteoporosis.