[Effect of dietary Satureja khuzistanica powder on semen characteristics and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentration in testicular tissue of Iranian native breeder rooster]

Because of a paucity of information on the effect of Satureja khuzistanica in male chickens, this study was undertaken to determine the influence of dietary S. khuzistanica powder [SKP] on seminal characteristics and testes thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] content in Iranian native breeder rooster. Thirty-six 40-week-old roosters were randomly allotted to 3 equal groups and received either a basal diet without SKP [T1 or control], or a diet containing 20 g/kg [T2] and 40 g/kg [T3] of SKP for 8- week-long experimental period. Semen samples were obtained weekly by abdominal massage to evaluate the seminal characteristics. At the end of the eighth week 18 birds [6 birds per each group] were randomly slaughtered, and sample was taken from right testes for TBARS evaluation. Administration of SKP improved all semen traits, except for sperm concentration. Likewise, TBARS content in SKP treatments did not significantly differ from the control [P>0.05]. Seminal volume, live sperm percentage and plasma membrane integrity percentage in SKP-treated groups were higher than the control. Conversely, abnormal sperm percentages reduced in SKP-treated groups [P<0.05]. Plasma membrane integrity in experimental treatments was significantly higher than the control in 2nd, 3rd and 7th weeks. However, at 6th and 8th weeks only T3 treatment was significantly different from the control. Notably, there was an increase in total sperm concentration in SKP-treated groups in compared to the control birds. In conclusion, this study indicated that addition of SKP in rooster diet improves sperm quality and also reduces their sperm membrane lipid peroxidation, which may lead to higher fertilization rate.

Betaine as a methyl donor and an antioxidant agent in levodopa-induced hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress in rat's kidney

Betaine has been shown to be antioxidant and methyl donor effects in our recent studies. In the present study, the antioxidant and methyl donor properties of betaine in levodopa/benserazide-mediated hyperhomocysteinemia and levodopa-induced oxidative stress in rat's kidney were examined. Sprague-Dawley male rats were divided into levodopa [LD], Betaine [Bet.], levodopa plus betaine [LD/Bet.], levodopa plus benserazide [LD/Ben.], levodopa plus betaine-benserazide [LD/Bet.-Ben.], and control groups. The experimental groups received LD [3 × 100 mg/kg], Bet. [1.5% w/w of the total diet], Ben. [3 × 25 mg/kg], and distilled water was given to controls for 10 consecutive days, orally by gavage. Plasma total homocysteine [tHcy] concentration decreased significantly in Bet.-, LD/Bet.-, and LD/Bet.-Ben.- treated rats compared to LD/Ben. group. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances concentration [as a lipid peroxidation marker] in renal tissue reduced statistically in betaine group in comparison with LD and LD/Ben. groups. Renal catalase activity increased significantly in LD-treated rats when compared to controls. Renal superoxide dismutase activity significantly decreased in LD-treated group when compared to LD/Ben. group. However, there was not any significant difference in renal glutathione peroxidase [GPx] activity among the groups. These findings indicate that LD and LD/Ben. have side effects in kidney due to induction of hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidative stress. In contrast, betaine acts as a promising antioxidant and methyl donor agent versus LD-induced complications

Hepatoprotective effects of purified oleuropein from olive leaf extract against ethanol-induced damages in the rat

Olives and olive oil contain large amounts of oleuropein. This phenolic compound is responsible for their bitter taste and pungent aroma and has been recognized as a powerful hypotensive, hypoglycemic and antioxidant agent. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant properties of oleuropein on ethanol-induced oxidative damage and to examine its beneficial effects on liver function. Thirty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four equal groups: the first group served as untreated control

The second group of rats were given ethanol [4 g/kg] orally. Group 3 received oral oleuropein [15 mg/kg]

The final group of rats were fed ethanol [4 g/kg], 120 min after oral administration of oleuropein (15 mg/kg]

All of the treatments were applied for 4 weeks via gavage. Administration of ethanol to rats induced toxicity in their liver, as shown by the significant elevation in the serum levels of transaminases, total cholesterol as well as liver histopathological findings. Elevation of glutathione peroxidase activity, the hepatic main antioxidant enzyme, and total glutathione was observed to suppress oxidative stress in the ethanol group

TBARS [an indicator of lipid peroxidation] concentration is also increased in ethanol-treated rats

In contrast, oleuropein during ethanol treatment in rats resulted in a higher antiperoxidative enzyme activity, catalase, and inhibited toxicity to the liver, as monitored by the reduction in ALT and AST levels and TBARS concentration. It is suggested that oleuropein possesses beneficial antioxidant effects against ethanol-induced liver toxicity, and therefore use of olive leaf extract may have prophylactic value in reducing the common complications resulting from oxidative stress in alcoholism?

Antioxidant effects of aqueous fruit extract of Ziziphus jujuba on ethanol-induced oxidative stress in the rat testes

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant effects of aqueous fruit extract of Ziziphus jujuba on ethanol-induced oxidative stress and to examine its protective effects on sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity of male Wistar rats. Adult male rats [n=28] were divided into four equal groups: the first group served as untreated controls, the second group of rats was given ethanol [4 g/kg], and group 3 received aqueous fruit extract of Z. jujuba [200 mg/kg]. The final group of rats were supplemented by oral ingestion of ethanol [4 g/kg], which was preceded 60 min earlier by an oral administration of Z. jujuba extract [200 mg/kg]. Fruit extract of Z. jujuba could prevent the reduction of concentration, motility and plasma membrane integrity of the sperm in treated rats with Z. jujuba extract plus ethanol [P<0.05]. Glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities significantly increased in the animals ingested with Z. jujuba extract prior to ethanol compared to the ethanol group. Decrease of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] level was statistically significant in the animals that ingested the fruit extract of Z. jujuba prior to ethanol compared to the ethanol group [P<0.05]. Our findings suggest that aqueous fruit extract of Z. jujuba possesses beneficial effects on ethanol-induced sperm toxicity, subsequently enhancing sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity