ABSTRACT
Oxidative stress in teratozoospermic semen samples caused poor assisted reproductive techniques [ART] outcomes. Among antioxidants, ascorbic acid is a naturally occurring free radical scavenger and as such its presence assists various other mechanisms in decreasing numerous disruptive free radical processes. The main goal of this study was to evaluate potential protective effects of ascorbic acid supplementation during in vitro culture of teratozoospermic specimens. Teratozoospermic semen samples that collected from 15 volunteers were processed, centrifuged and incubated at 37°C until sperm swimmed-up. Supernatant was divided into four groups and incubated at 37°C for one hour under different experimental conditions: Control, 10 micro m A23187, 600 micro m ascorbic acid and 10 micro m A23187+600 micro m ascorbic acid. After incubation sperm motility, viability, acrosome reaction, DNA damage and malondialdehyde levels were evaluated. Our results indicated that after one hour incubation, ascorbic acid significantly reduced malondialdehyde level in ascorbic acid group [1.4 +/- 0.11 nmol/ml] compared to control group [1.58 +/- 0.13 nmol/ml] [p<0.001]. At the end of incubation, progressive motility and viability in ascorbic acid group [64.5 +/- 8.8% and 80.3 +/- 6.4%, respectively] were significantly [p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively] higher than the control group [54.5 +/- 6.8% and 70.9 +/- 7.3%, respectively]. A23187 significantly [p<0.0001] increased acrosome reaction in A23187 group [37.3 +/- 5.6%] compared to control group [8.5 +/- 3.2%] and this effect of A23187 attenuated by ascorbic acid in ascorbic acid+A23187 group [17.2 +/- 4.4%]. DNA fragmentation in ascorbic acid group [20 +/- 4.1%] was significantly [p<0.001] lower than controls [28.9 +/- 4.6%]. In vitro ascorbic acid supplementation during teratozoospermic semen processing for ART could protect teratozoospermic specimens against oxidative stress, and it could improve ART outcome
ABSTRACT
Nowadays, nanomaterials are used in daily life extensively. One of the most common of these materials is nano titanium dioxide [TiO[2]] which is used to purify the air and also sunscreens, shampoos and other hygienic products. Although nanoparticles are useful, can also have potential hazards. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of TiO[2] on lung tissue in rabbits. We divided 18 male rabbits into three groups randomly. The first group received 50 microl of TiO[2] with dose of 50 mg/kg by intratracheal instillation. The second group received 50 microl of TiO[2] with dose of 100 mg/kg and the third group received 50 microl of normal saline by the same route. Chest X-rays were taken from all rabbits before injection and on days of 10, 17 and 24 after injection. Twenty four days after injection, rabbits anesthetized and histopathological assays, blood samples and biochemical factors were evaluated. Radiographic assays showed a progressive pulmonary fibrosis in rabbits received TiO[2] rather than the control group and this lesion developed to maximum at 24[th] day of the experiment. We also showed pulmonary emphysema and inflammation in histopathologycal study of groups treated with TiO[2]. Moreover, we observed a significant increase in the amount of liver enzymes, white blood cells and hematocrit in TiO[2] treated groups compared to control group [P 0.05]. Results showed that nanotitanium dioxide particles can lead to pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation and also increasing liver enzymes and inflammatory cells
ABSTRACT
Regarding the prevalence of epilepsy in human society and with respect to inefficiency of the usual treatments, finding new strategies and methods for the medical treatment of epileptic patients are essential. Henbane seed has been used in Iranian traditional medicine as an anti-convulsion herb. With this regard the present study was carried out to consider the anti-convulsive effect of Henbane seed extract on the chemical kindling-induced convulsion. The present experimental study has been conducted at Medical Faculty of Shahed University in 2009. Sixty male mice have been chosen randomly and divided into 5 experimental groups including 12 mice in each group as follows: 1-control group receiving only Pentylene tetrazole [PTZ], 2[nd], 3[rd] and 4[th] experimental groups received alcoholic extract of henbane seed in doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg intraperitoneally 30 minutes before PTZ injection and 5[th] group was positive control that received valproic acid 100 mg/kg 30 minutes before PTZ injection. Chemical kindling was performed in all of them by a total of 11 treatments with intraperitoneal injection of PTZ 35 mg/kg at every 48 hours. In the 12[th] injection all groups were tested for PTZ challenge dose [75 mg/kg]. Mice were observed 30 minutes after the last injection to detect convulsion. Data analysis was carried out by One way ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc tests. Data analysis shows that administration of henbane seed extract had an inhibitory effect on the steps, progression and duration of seizure, especially in the last steps of convulsion. However, therapy with henbane seed extract resulted in an efficient anticonvulsive effect from the 8[th] injection reaching the highest level of efficiency at the 12[th] step [p<0.001]. The results obtained from the present study showed that alcoholic Hyoscyamus niger seed extract could have markedly alleviated PTZ-induced seizure phases in male mice. Also, the extract at 100 mg/kg significantly increased and reduced the threshold and duration of 5th seizure phase