ABSTRACT
Background: Malathion is an organophosphorus pesticide that commonly used in many agricultural and non-agricultural processes. Previous studies have reported the effects of melatonin on the reproductive system. Cerium dioxide nanoparticles [CeNPs] due to their antioxidative properties are promising to impact on the development of male infertility
Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of CeNPs on oxidative stress and sperm parameters after malathion exposure of male rats
Materials and Methods: 36 adult male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups [n=6/each]: Control, CeNPs -treated control [15 and 30 mg/kg/day], malathion [100 mg/ kg/day], and CeNPs -treated malathion groups [15 and 30 mg/ kg/day]. At the end of the study [4 wk], the sperm counts, motility, and viability in the testis of rats were measured, also lipid peroxidation, total antioxidant capacity, and total thiol groups in homogenate testis were investigated
Results: Malathion significantly reduced sperm count, viability, and motility than the control rats [p<0.001]. Co-treatment of malathion with CeNPs 30 mg/kg had a protective effect on sperm counts [p=0.03], motility [p=0.01], and viability [p<0.001] compare to malathion group. Also, the results showed that malathion reduced testis total anti-oxidant capacity, the total thiol group, and increased testis malondialdehyde than the control rats [p<0.001]. CeNPs 30 mg/kg are increased total antioxidant capacity [p<0.001] and total thiol group [p=0.03] compared to malathion group. CeNPs at both doses [15 and 30 mg/kg] improved malondialdehyde than the malathion group [p<0.001 and p=0.01 respectively]
Conclusion: CeNPs 30 mg/kg administered considerably restored testicular changes induced by malathion. The improvement of oxidative stress by CeNPs may be associated with increased sperm counts, motility and viability in the testis
ABSTRACT
Objective: There is a positive correlation between higher serum phytoestrogen concentrations and lower risk of breast cancer. The activation of telomerase is crucial for the growth of cancer cells; therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of enterolactone [ENL] and enterodiol [END] on this enzyme
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, we performed the viability assay to determine the effects of different concentrations of ENL and END on cell viability, and the effective concentrations of these two compounds on cell growth. We used western blot analysis to evaluate human telomerase reverse transcriptase catalytic subunit [hTERT] expression and polymerase chain reaction [PCR]-ELISA based on the telomeric repeat amplification protocol [TRAP] assay for telomerase activity
Results: Both ENL and END, at 100 micro M concentrations, significantly [P<0.05] reduced cell viability. However, only the 100 micro M concentration of ENL significantly [P<0.05] decreased hTERT protein levels and telomerase activity. Lower concentrations of ENL did not have any significant effects on telomerase activity and hTERT protein levels
Conclusion: High concentration of ENL decreased the viability of MCF-7 breast cancer cells and inhibited the expression and activity of telomerase in these cells. Although END could reduce breast cancer cell viability, it did not have any effect on telomerase expression and activity