Effects of folic acid administration on testicular ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Abstract Purpose: To determine the effect of folic acid (FA) on experimental testicular ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) in rats. Methods: Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. The control group received physiologic saline orally. The sham-operated group received physiologic saline orally then exposed to midline laparotomy without clamping the IR. The I/R rats received oral gavage of the saline then subjected to 1h ischemia /24h reperfusion, period. In folic acid (2mg/kg+IR) rats received oral gavage of the FA (2mg/kg) then subjected to 1h I/24h R. groups 5-6 received FA (5 and 10 mg/kg), then subjected to 1 h I/24 h, respectively. At the end of the study, semen samples were collected for spermatozoa characteristics. The left testis was removed for histological analysis and superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) measurement. Results: Spermatozoa mobility, mortality (%) significantly decreased in I/R group (P<0.05). Dose dependent increase observed on spermatozoa mobility, mortality (%) using different levels of the FA (2, 5 and 10 mg/kg) treated rat (P<0.05). Tissue MDA levels significantly increased in I/R rat (P<0.05) while FA (2, 5 and 10mg/kg) in a dose dependent manner decreased I/R-induced MDA (P<0.05). Experimental I/R significantly decreased SOD and GPx activity (P<0.05). Administration of the FA (2, 5 and 10mg/kg) significantly increased tissue SOD and GPx activity in I/R rat (P<0.05). Seminiferous tubules degenerated and loss of spermatogenesis with few spermatocytes was observed in degenerated testis tubules in I/R rat. Orally administration of the FA (5 and 10 mg/kg) improved testis characteristics with few normal seminiferous tubules and spermatocyte in seminiferous tubules in experimental I/R-induced rat. Conclusion: The treatment of folic acid had a benefit effect against ischemia-reperfusion.

Protective effect of metformin on testicular ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

ABSTRACT PURPOSE: To investigate the protective effect of metformin on testicular ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. METHODS: Eighteen adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three experimental groups (n=6), as follows: Sham, I/R, and Metformin. 1-hour ischemia was induced by the left testicular artery and vein clipping followed by 7 days of reperfusion. Metformin (100 mg/kg) was administrated orally for 7 days via oral gavage after ischemic period. At the end of trial, the left testis was removed for histological analysis and oxidative stress measurement. RESULTS: I/R reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and testicular Johnsen's scores accompanied by an elevation in malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels in comparison with the sham group (P < 0.05). Compared to I/R group, metformin restored testicular Johnsen's scores, SOD activity, MDA and MPO levels (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Metformin has a protective effect against I/R injury on the testis.

[ role of selective Cox-2 inhibitors on HIF-1 alpha gene in colorectal cancer: an in-vitro study]

Colorectal cancer is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world, and its treatments include surgery, chemo-radiotherapy. Despite improvements in clinical outcomes of patients with this tumor over the past decades, prognosis remains poor with a 5-year survival rate of <10%. Angiogenesis inhibitor agents have been recently added to the treatment regimen of this disease. In the past two decades, it has been recognized that selective inhibitors of the cyclooxygenase -2 [Cox-2] enzyme result in the regression in the size of colorectal tumor, and one of its reasons is attributed to angiogenesis inhibition. The present study aimed at identifying the molecular pathways of angiogenesis inhibition by celecoxib. HCT-116, which is one of the cell lines of Colorectal cancer [separated from human colorectal adenocarcinoma] was provided by the National Cell bank of Iran [NCBI] affiliated to Pasteur Institute. It was then cultured in DMEM [high glucose] culture medium containing 10% FBS, and then treated in the active substance of celecoxib at pharmacological concentrations of 50 mM [C50] and 100 mM [C100]. Afterwards, RNA was extracted and cDNA was prepared. The oligonucleotide of HIF-1 Alpha gene [angiogenesis initiator] was prepared and the level of HIF-1 alpha gene expression was assessed with a real-time PCR device in three control, C50 and C100 groups. HIF-1 alpha gene expression significantly decreased in the celecoxib treatment group [compared with control group] with the concentration of C100 [P<0.001], but no change was observed in the concentration of C50. Angiogenesis is a key factor in the carcinogenesis process and FDA today approved bevacizumab as a first-line treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. The results of this study showed one of the causes of angiogenesis reduction in celecoxib-treated colorectal cancer. According to clinical findings and basic studies, celecoxib will be hopefully used as a first-line therapy along with chemotherapy in the near future in colorectal cancer. The advantages of this treatment method include its low cost and low side effects

Surgical application of fascia lata as a pericardial substitute in rabbits / Aplicação cirúrgica de fascia lata como substituto do pericárdio em coelhos

PURPOSE: To use fascia lata instead of pericardium and observe the presence of adhesions. METHODS: Twenty rabbits were divided into two group of ten. In group A, a 1×1 cm segment of pericardium was excised and resutured. In group B excised pericardium was substituted for autologous fascia lata. RESULTS: In the comparison of microscopic adhesion rate between two groups A, B after eight weeks, there was no significant statistical difference. CONCLUSION: Fascia lata is safe and it can be substituted for pericardium especially in repeat sternotomy in repairing congenital heart defects to avoid heart injury.

OBJETIVO: Utilizar fascia lata em vez de pericárdio e observar a presencça de aderências. MÉTODOS: Vinte coelhos foram distribuidos em dois grupos de dez. No grupo A, um 1×1 cm de segmento de pericárdio foi retirado e resuturado. No grupo B pericárdio retirado foi substituído por fáscia lata autóloga. RESULTADOS: Na comparação da taxa de aderência microscópica entre dois grupos A, B, após oito semanas, não houve diferença estatisticamente significante. CONCLUSÃO: A fascia lata é segura e pode ser substituta do pericárdio, especialmente em nova esternotomia na reparação de defeitos cardíacos congênitos para evitar lesão cardíaca.