Regenerative Potential of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor Immobilized by Using Electron-Beam Synthesis Nanotechnology in an Experimental Model of Ovarian Reserve Depletion

The pharmacological activity of granulocyte CSF (G-CSF) immobilized using electron-beam synthesis nanotechnology (imG-CSF) was evaluated in an experimental model of ovarian reserve depletion. The effectiveness of the drug was compared with that of its unmodified form. Depletion of the ovarian follicular pool in female Sprague-Dawley rats was caused by a single intravenous injection of the antitumor drug etoposide in the maximum tolerated dose. The effectiveness of the studied drugs was assessed by serum concentration of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) measured by ELISA and by the number of primordial, two-layer, multilayer, and atretic follicles counted on serial sections of the ovaries (5-μm thick; through the entire organ) stained with hematoxylin and eosin. It was found that imG-CSF prevents depletion of the ovarian reserve in the model used, which was confirmed by high AMH concentration and higher numbers of primordial, two- and multilayer follicles in comparison with the corresponding parameters in the control (etoposide), and by a decrease in the severity of atretic processes. Unmodified form of the drug demonstrated lower efficiency.

Assessment of Ante- and Postnatal Development of the Offspring of Male Rats Crossed in Delayed Periods after Treatment with Methotrexate in Low Doses

We studied ante- and postnatal development of the offspring of intact female rats crossed with males injected with low doses of methotrexate 3 and 6 months before mating. The time of crossing corresponded to the manifestation of the cytostatic effect on spermatogonial stem cells. The offspring of methotrexate-treated males was characterized by increased preimplantation losses and fetal growth restriction in the antenatal period and inhibition of physical development, delayed formation of sensory-motor reflexes, and impaired learning abilities in the postnatal period.

Experimental Evaluation of Long-Term Toxic Effects of Methotrexate on Male Reproductive System

The morphological and functional state of the reproductive system was studied in male outbred rats (SD stock) and male F1(CBA×C57BL/6) mice after long-term (3 months) methotrexate administration. The drug was administered subcutaneously once a week for 4 weeks, the dose for male rats was 1 mg/kg, for male mice 2.2 mg/kg. It was found that male rats retained the ability to conceive, their reproductive potential was not limited by increased risk of embryo death. At the same time, signs of astheno- and pathospermia were revealed. The testicular tissue was characterized by reduced content of the sources of the proliferative pool of spermatogenesis. In mice treated with methotrexate, increased content of DNA breaks was detected in the testicular cells.

Reproductive Toxicity of Theobroma cacao: Increase in Survival Index, Nongenotoxic, and Proimplantation Potential

Unsweetened natural cocoa (UNCP) was evaluated for reproductive toxicity in rats. A preliminary genotoxic potential was evaluated by the DNA comet assay test using C57Bl/6 mice. Both therapeutic dose (TD; 900 mg/kg) and high dose (HD; 9000 mg/kg) of UNCP were used. White Wistar rats were used in two experimental groups. The females received UNCP 15 days before crossing with untreated males. The males received UNCP for 48 days before mating with untreated females. Subacute toxicity was observed during a 14-day oral administration of UNCP. Results show that a high tail DNA% was observed with methyl mesylate administration in all tissues analysed. The lowest tail DNA% value was observed in the liver (1.64 ± 0.26) and kidney (1.63 ± 0.30) during UNCP (TD) administration. UNCP did not induce observable physical congenital malformations on the pubs of treated female and male rats, lacks genotoxic potential, and did not adversely affect pregnancy index, pub weights, and survival index, but UNCP exhibited proimplantation potential (p > 0.05).

Evaluation of the Effect of p-Tyrosol on the Level of DNA Damage in the DNA Comet Assay In Vivo

The effect of p-tyrosol on the spontaneous level of DNA damage in the cells of the bone marrow, liver, kidney, and rectum of mice (series I) and on the genotoxic effects of cytostatic drugs with different mechanisms of action in rat testicular cells (series II) was studied by DNA comet assay on C57BL/6 mice. p-Tyrosol was administered in a dose of 40 mg/kg once (series I) or for 5 days before and 5 days after cytostatic exposure (busulfan, paclitaxel, methotrexate; series II). It was found that p-tyrosol reduced spontaneous level of DNA damage in all studied organs. p-Tyrosol exhibited an antigenotoxic effect with respect to the DNA-damaging action of methotrexate and produced no genoprotective effect in case of busulfan and paclitaxel.

Evaluation of Kagocel Genotoxicity

Antiviral drug Kagocel in concentrations of 0.0008, 0.004, 0.02, 0.1, 0.5, and 2.5 mg/ml with or without metabolic activation does not induce gene mutations in S. typhimurium strains ТА98, ТА100, ТА1535, and ТА1537 and in a combination of E. coli strains pKM101 and uvrA. A single intragastric administration of Kagocel in a daily therapeutic dose and a 10-fold daily therapeutic dose to male mice or multiple administrations in daily therapeutic dose to male and female mice did not led to a significant increase in the percentage of chromosomal aberrations in the bone marrow cells. DNA comet assay revealed no significant increase in the incidence of DNA breaks in cells of mouse testes after single or multiple administration of Kagocel at daily therapeutic and 10-fold daily therapeutic doses. Our results indicate that Kagocel exhibits no genotoxic activity in the studied dose range.

Experimental Study of the Effectiveness of Phenolic Antioxidants in Male Infertility Caused by Pathospermia

The effect of phenolic antioxidants (dihydroquercetin, p-tyrosol, dibornol) on the morphology, functions, and redox processes in the reproductive cells of male rats was studied on the model of experimental pathospermia. All antioxidants reduced the percentage of degenerative forms of spermatozoa. Dibornol was most effective. Dihydroquercetin and p-tyrosol did not increase the total number of spermatozoa and the percentage of their mobile forms. These indicators were improved only by dibornol. After administration of all test drugs, the antioxidant potential of spermatozoa increased and did not significantly differ from the baseline values.

[Safety of the Russian antiviral drug Kagocel]

The review gives summarized information on the preclinical data and clinical trials evaluating the safety of the antiviral drug Kagocel. It notes that the manufacturer of the drug pay special attention to the control of its impurity content. There is information on the development and validation of highly sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatography procedures, the application of which can guarantee that free gossypol impurities are absent in the drug. The results of preclinical toxicity study of Kagocel in experiments on laboratory animals are briefly reviewed; particular attention is paid to the investigation of the drug's safety for the reproductive system of immature animals. It is noted that evaluation of the total toxic properties of Kagocel has revealed no signs of intoxication. Investigations of the reproductive toxicity of Kagocel have showed no effect on spermatogenesis. A set of experimental studies of the long-term effects of the use of Kagocel in different regimens has confirmed that the drug has no negative effect on the reproductive organs in the offspring of experimental rats and on its development. Many clinical trials, including those with participation of children aged 2 years or older, have provided important data on drug safety. The results given in the review lead to the conclusion that the use of the antiviral drug Kagocel in both general and pediatric practice is proven safe.

Experimental Assessment of the Effect of Kagocel on Reproductive Function in Pubertal Male Rats

We studied possible toxic effects of antiviral drug Kagocel on reproductive function in pubertal male rats. The drug was administered in therapeutic and 10-fold higher doses throughout the spermatogenesis cycle (48 days). Kagocel did not reduce mating and fertilizing capacities, did not suppress spermatogenesis, and had no toxic effects on the offspring. The results characterize Kagocel as a drug with a broad reproductive safety profile and demonstrate that the age limits for using Kagocel in pediatric practice can be extended.

Simulation of category IIIB prostatitis

Blood flow arrest in the inferior vena cava at the level of the inferior pole of the kidney led to the development of epithelial degeneration and stromal sclerosis after 1.5 months, dilatation of the veins, and congestion of secretion in rats. These signs corresponded to the morphological picture of category IIIB prostatitis or to signs of noninflammatory chronic prostatitis (hemodynamic disorders, sclerosis, degeneration). On the other hand, there was no cellular infiltration of the glandular tissue associated with infection and inflammation.

Mechanisms of reparative regeneration of rat testis after injection of paclitaxel

Population of spermatogonia was reduced in 2, 3, and 6 months after single intravenous injection of antitumor drug paclitaxel in maximum tolerated dose (MTD). The count of Sertoli cell increased in 3 months after the start of the experiment. The maturity of the seminiferous tubule epithelium was lower than in intact rats. Spermatogenesis productivity did not differ from that in intact animals 6 months after start of the experiment. These data indicate that regeneration of the spermatogenous tissue after paclitaxel treatment is realized via renewal of the spermatogenic epithelium, but considering the amount of spermatogonial cell population, the recovery rate would be low.

Immune reactions in the progeny of female rats treated with paclitaxel

Immune reactions of the progeny of female Wistar rats injected with paclitaxel a single MPD of 1 and 3 months before mating with intact males were studied. Thymic hyperplasia was detected in the progeny of female rats mated 1 month after treatment. Disorders in the antibody-specific and antibody-nonspecific mechanisms of the immune response were detected in the progeny of females mated with intact males 3 months after cytostatic treatment.

Comparative study of pharmacological activity of afala on the model of hormone-induced prostatitis in rats

Afala (ultralow-dose antibodies to prostate-specific antigen) injected for 60 days to rats with hormone-induced prostatitis caused by sulpiride prevented the development of prostatic hyperplasia and reduced the severity of histological changes. The effect of Afala was superior to that of the reference drug (Serenoa repens extract).

Morphological and functional state of rat ovaries in the early and late periods after injection of vepesid

Morphological and functional state of the ovaries in female Wistar rats was assessed in the early and late periods after administration of antitumor drug vepesid in a single maximum tolerated dose. In the early period, the drug pronouncedly decreased the number of primordial follicles, bi- and multilayer follicles, and the total number of generative elements. The number of graafian vesicles and corpora lutea did not decrease. In the late period, exhaustion of the reserved potencies of gonads was more pronounced than in the control. Morphological alterations in the ovaries were accompanied by inhibition of the functional state of the female reproductive system in the period corresponding to the action on mature and primordial follicles. This inhibition manifested in increased postimplantation mortality.

Evaluation of the progeny of rats treated with topoisomerase II inhibitor vepesid

Progeny of Wistar rats treated with vepesid 1, 3, and 6 months before mating is characterized by common pathological changes. These changes were more pronounced and more diverse in animals descending from females receiving the cytostatic compared to the progeny of treated males. The severity of toxic effects depended on the period between mating and vepesid treatment. Cytostatic treatment 3 months before mating was associated with minimum toxicity for the progeny.

Effect of vepeside on the function of reproductive system in rats

Experiments on adult rats showed that a single intravenous injection of antitumor drug vepeside in a MTD (maximum tolerable dose) reduced the reproductive status during periods corresponding to exposure of mature sex cells, spermatocytes, and spermatogonia in male rats and exposure of oocytes in ovulating, mature, and primordial follicles in female rats. Reduction of the male and female reproductive function manifested in increased antenatal mortality of the progeny. The toxic effects of the drug on mature male sex cells caused temporary partial infertility.

Status of the progeny of rats treated with platinum-containing cytostatics

Wistar rat pups from rats treated with first- and second-generation platinum-containing cytostatics (platidiam, carboplatin) 1, 3, and 6 months before mating with intact partners had similar disorders. The severity of these disorders depended in many cases on the chemical structure of the drug and sex of the parent treated with the cytostatic. The severity of toxic effects in the progeny of intact females mated with cytostatic-treated males decreased with prolongation of the period elapsing between the treatment and mating. Carboplatin produced a more potent toxic effect on the reproductive function of rats compared to platidiam.

Morphological and Functional State of Rat Ovaries in Early and Late Periods after Administration of Platinum Cytostatics

Experiments on Wistar rats showed that cisplatin and carboplatin induced similar morphological alterations in the ovaries. Both agents reduced the number of structural and functional elements, but the effect of cisplatin was more pronounced. Morphological changes observed in the early period after injection of the preparations were accompanied by prolongation of the estrous cycle, which was longer in rats treated with carboplatin. Partial and reversible sterility was observed in females at the early terms after cisplatin treatment.

Gonadotoxic effects of antitumor preparations

Here we review the results of experimental and clinical observations concerning the gonadotoxic effect of antitumor chemotherapy. Previous experiments showed that antiblastic preparations with various mechanisms of cytostatic action produce damage to the sex glands that differs in the severity, stage of manifestation, and period of reparative regeneration. These differences are related to different sensitivity of epitheliocytes in the testes and structural and functional elements in the ovaries. Morphological changes in the gonads are accompanied by dysfunction of the reproductive system. We compared damages to the reproductive system and its individual components produced by various antitumor preparations. The offspring was examined after cytostatic treatment of one of the parent animals.

Effects of ultralow doses of antibodies to prostate-specific antigen on morphological and functional state of rat prostate

Morphological and morphometric assays showed that administration of antibodies to the prostate-specific antigen in ultralow doses for 1.5 months delayed the development of atrophic and sclerotic processes in rats with chronic aseptic prostatitis. The concentration of zinc ions playing an important role in binding of androgens increased in the prostate of rats receiving the preparation. Studies of copulatory behavior showed that male rats with chronic prostatitis receiving antibodies to the prostate-specific antigen displayed increased sexual activity compared to control and intact animals.

Effect of ultralow doses of antibodies to erythropoietin on antenatal and postnatal development of the offspring

We studied the effects of ultralow doses of antibodies to erythropoietin on antenatal and postnatal development of rat offspring. Daily administration of the preparation on days 1-6, 6-16, and 16-19 of pregnancy did not increase embryonic mortality and was not associated with congenital malformations, fetal growth retardation, high incidence of pathological changes in fetal organs, and delayed ossification (compared to control and intact animals). For evaluation of their embryotoxic effect manifested in the postnatal period ultralow doses of antibodies to erythropoietin were administered throughout pregnancy. The offspring of treated and intact rats did not differ in physical development, appearance of sensory and locomotor reflexes, locomotor, exploratory, and emotional behavior, and learning and adaptive capacities.

Effects of anthracyclines on reproductive function in rats

A single injection of antitumor anthracycline antibiotic in a maximum tolerated dose decreased mating capacity in male rats (doxorubicin, farmorubicin) and decreased the efficiency of mating (farmorubicin). In female rats mating capacity did not decrease, but some of them became sterile. The majority of toxic effects were reversible. The incidence of embryonal death before implantation was increased in intact females mated with males treated with farmorubicin. In females treated with anthracycline antibiotics high incidence of pre- and postimplantation embryonal deaths was noted.

Effect of quinine on the morphology of mouse testes

Single injection of quinine in a maximum tolerable dose to BALB/c mice caused morphological changes in the testes and suppressed spermatogenesis. Gonocytes in all layers of the spermatogenic epithelium, interstitial endocrinocytes, and sustenocytes proved to be sensitive to the toxic effect of the drug. The majority of detected morphological changes were reversible.

Effects of antitumor drugs on offspring

The offspring of Wistar rats obtained from parents, one of which received platinum-containing drug Platidiam (cisplatin) or anthracycline antibiotics Doxorubicin and Farmorubicin was characterized by low viability (embryonic death increased 4-30-fold compared to control) and congenital malformations. The fetuses displayed pathology in internal organs and low ossification rates. Newborn rats are characterized by low survival rate and retarded physical development.