ABSTRACT
Background: Busulfan [BU] has a destructive effect on the male reproductive system. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of olive leaf extract [OLE] as a source of antioxidants and phenolic compounds, on BU-induced damages in rat testes
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups. The control group [CTL] received a single intraperitoneal [i.p.] injection of dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO], followed by oral administration of distilled water for 5 weeks. In BU group, BU [10 mg/kg] was administrated i.p. once. In co- treatment groups, first, received BU [10 mg/kg, a single i.p. injection] then, OLE was administrated orally at different doses of 250 mg/kg [BU+OLE 250], 500 mg/kg [BU+OLE 500] and 750 mg/kg [BU+OLE 750], for 5 weeks. Next, blood and sperm samples were collected. The left testis was removed to investigate testicular parameters and apoptosis by using H and E and TUNEL staining, respectively. All data were analyzed by SPSS software and a P<0.05 was considered significant
Results: There was a significant decline in sperm viability [P=0.017], number of primary spermatocyte [PS] [P=0.001] and Leydig cells [P=0.023] in the BU group versus the CTL group. OLE at three doses could repair these defects versus BU group. Increases in apoptotic spermatogonia cells [SG] due to BU were significantly reduced by OLE 250 and 500 mg/kg [P<0.01]. A reduction in germinal epithelium height and an increase in apoptotic SG were observed in BU+OLE 750 group vs. other groups [P<0.01] and alkaline phosphatase [ALP] was at the highest level, also Aspartate aminotransferase [AST] increased markedly vs. CTL [P=0.024]
Conclusion: Oral administration of OLE at the doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg could be helpful in ameliorating BU- induced toxicity in rat testes, while OLE 750 mg/kg not only did not cause positive effects, but also could exacerbate the harmful effects
ABSTRACT
Stroke is one of the main leading causes of mortality and disability in many countries. In the absence of definitive treatment search for, neuroprotective agents with minimal side effects should be continued. Natural nutrients can be ideal sources to produce safe and valuable agents for the management of stroke. Walnut kernel [WK] has numerous beneficial components with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The goal of this study was to investigate the protective effects of WK on neuronal injury and astrocyte reactivity after induction of focal cerebral ischemia in male rats. In this experimental study, Wistar male rats were divided into three groups: sham, control [fed with ordinary food] and walnut [fed with WK]. Each group consisted of 6 rats. The right middle cerebral artery was occluded for 15 min in the control and walnut groups. Forty-eight hours after reperfusion the animals were killed and their brains were processed for histological [Hematoxylin and Eosin staining] and immunohistochemical [Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein, GFAP], and histochemical [TUNEL] studies. The results showed that WK significantly decreased neuronal death induced by cerebral ischemia; however, the density of GFAP positive astrocytes has been increased at the site of injury in the treatment group compared to the other 2 groups. In addition, WK significantly decreased the mortality rate of the animals due to cerebral ischemia. The results suggested that wk might provide protection against the cerebral ischemia-induced injuries in the rat brain through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms