Zinc and low-dose of cadmium protect sertoli cells against toxic-dose of cadmium: the role of metallothionein

The impact of cadmium [Cd] on male infertility may be related to the interaction with metal-binding proteins known as metallothioneins [Mts]. Trace elements like zinc [Zn] have protective effects on testicular damage induced by Cd. We determined the effect of Zn and low-dose Cd pre-treatment on the expression of Mt1 and Mt2 genes on testicular Sertoli cells. The cultured TM4 mouse sertoli cells were treated with 50 micro M ZnSO4 [Zn pre-treated group; ZnPG], 2 micro M CdCl2 [Cd pre-treated group; CdPG], or distilled water [DW pre-treated group; DWPG]. After 18 hour, all of these groups were exposed to 100 micro M CdCl2 for different periods of time [1, 2, 3, and 6 hours]. There was also a control group for all three groups, which was treated only with distilled water [without Cd or Zn pre-treatment]. Cellular viability, Zn and Cd concentrations and gene expression were assessed by MTT, atomic absorption spectrometry and real time PCR methods, respectively. The expression of Mt1 and Mt2 genes in ZnPG, CdPG, and DWPG was greater than the control group [p=0.02 and p=0.01, respectively]. Cd concentrations in CdPG and DWPG were greater than the control group [p=0.00]. Expression of both genes in ZnPG and CdPG increased after 3 hours of treatment and Cd concentration decreased simultaneously, which was more obvious in ZnPG. Zn and short term low-dose Cd pre-treatment might reduce the adverse effects of Cd by increasing expression of Mts genes in Sertoli cells. The protective effect of Zn was stronger than Cd

[Effects of resistance and endurance exercises on androgens, cortisol and lactate in elderly women]

The basal levels of androgens in women decline gradually with age. These changes may reduce muscle strength and bone density leading to fatigue and psychological problems. Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of resistance and endurance exercises on androgens, cortisol and lactate concentrations in elderly women. In this study, 10 elderly women with a mean age of 54.3 +/- 3.74 years and a BMI of 24.88 +/- 2.07 kg/m[2] completed an endurance exercise session [ES], a resistance exercise session [RS], and a control session [CS] in a randomized, cross-balanced design. The RS consisted of three sets of 10 repetitions of eight exercises with 80% 1RM [one repetition maximum] over of 45 minutes and the ES consisted of cycling at 60%-70% of maximum oxygen consumption for 45 minutes. During the CS, subjects performed no exercise. Before and immediately after exercises, and after 15 minutes of recovery, and also during CS blood samples were obtained an analyzed for serum testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, cortisol and lactate. There was a significant increase in testosterone levels following resistance and endurance exercise sessions [P<0.05]. Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate demonstrated a significant increase after resistance exercise [P<0.05]. While differences in cortisol levels were not significant within groups, but they were significant [P<0.05] between groups. A session of resistance exercise in elderly women can increase concentrations of androgens that are essential for their health and well-being

Effect of lntra-amygdala injection of lipopolysaccharide on kindling epileptogenesis in adult rats

Contribution of neuroinflammation and epilepsy in the mature brain has elicited contradictory results with either excitatory or inhibitory effects. The amygdala is one of the main parts of the limbic system susceptible to insults that lead to neuroinflammation and epilepsy. This study evaluates the effect of chronic inflammation of the rat amygdala induced by lipopolysaccharide [LPS] on kindling epileptogenesis. LPS [5microg/rat] was infused once daily into the basolateral amygdala [BLA] of adult rats. Daily electrical stimulation [150-300 microA, 100 Hz, monophasic square wave stimulus of 1 msec per wave, 2 sec duration] was delivered into BLA 30 min after LPS injections until the animals became fully kindled. LPS had no significant effect on the development of focal and generalized seizures. The type of neural system exposed to LPS and its specific electrophysiological properties seems to ascertain the final excitatory or inhibitory outcome