ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT This study was to develop, characterize, and evaluate the physical-chemical stability, in vitro antioxidant activity and in vitro safety profile of liquid crystalline systems (LCS) and microemulsions (MEs) with and without organic cocoa (OC) extract. LCS stabilized by surfactant polyoxyethylene 20 cetyl ether, containing water and oleic acid were studied. LCS and MEs were characterized using polarized light microscopy, small angle X-ray scattering, rheology and in vitro bioadhesion, and were evaluated for a period of 30 days by visual aspects, centrifuge test, pH value and relative density. PLM and SAXS assays showed the presence of domains of MEs, cubic and hexagonal mesophasephases, varying the proportions of the components of the formulations; where in the addition of the extract did not change rheological behavior of the formulations. All of the formulations were stable in the period analyzed and presented higher bioadhesive strength. In vitro antioxidant activity suggests that LCS and MEs presented a high capacity to maintain the antioxidant activity of OC extract. The results showed that the incorporation of OC in LCS improved the safety profile, according to cytotoxicity assays of systems may be a promising platform to OC extract for topical application for the potential treatment of skin disorders.
Subject(s)
Surface-Active Agents , Liquid Crystals/analysis , Skin , Cacao/adverse effects , Drug Delivery Systems , Microscopy, Polarization/methodsABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Cocoa has antihypertensive activity, improves cerebral blood flow, and is an antioxidant. We evaluated the effect of cocoa extract on penile erection using the relaxation of the corpus cavernosal tissue in rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used male 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats weighting 250-350 g divided into three groups: corpus cavernosal tissue with the endothelium (group 1), tissue without the endothelium (group 2), and endothelium pretreated with L-NAME (group 3). Changes in isometric tension were examined in an organ bath. Aortic tissues were divided into three groups and treated in similar experiments simultaneously. RESULTS: Cocoa extract dose-dependently relaxed corpus cavernosal tissue pre-contracted by phenylephrine (10-6). In group 1, cocoa extract (10-3g/ml) induced relaxation by 97+/-5% (mean+/-SD). The extract was still effective but less potent tissue without endothelium or pretreated with L-NAME (10-4M). Similar effects were seen in aortic rings. CONCLUSION: Cocoa extract relaxes corpus cavernosal tissue in a dose-dependent manner via NOS and the endothelium. Cocoa extract may therefore be effective for improving erectile function.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Male , Rats , Baths , Cacao , Endothelium , NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester , Penile Erection , Phenylephrine , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , RelaxationABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Cocoa has antihypertensive activity, improves cerebral blood flow, and is an antioxidant. We evaluated the effect of cocoa extract on penile erection using the relaxation of the corpus cavernosal tissue in rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used male 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats weighting 250-350 g divided into three groups: corpus cavernosal tissue with the endothelium (group 1), tissue without the endothelium (group 2), and endothelium pretreated with L-NAME (group 3). Changes in isometric tension were examined in an organ bath. Aortic tissues were divided into three groups and treated in similar experiments simultaneously. RESULTS: Cocoa extract dose-dependently relaxed corpus cavernosal tissue pre-contracted by phenylephrine (10-6). In group 1, cocoa extract (10-3g/ml) induced relaxation by 97+/-5% (mean+/-SD). The extract was still effective but less potent tissue without endothelium or pretreated with L-NAME (10-4M). Similar effects were seen in aortic rings. CONCLUSION: Cocoa extract relaxes corpus cavernosal tissue in a dose-dependent manner via NOS and the endothelium. Cocoa extract may therefore be effective for improving erectile function.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Male , Rats , Baths , Cacao , Endothelium , NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester , Penile Erection , Phenylephrine , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , RelaxationABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes of two different surgical methods for varicocelectomy, and to assess the effects of varicocelectomy on semen parameters in subinfertile men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 63 patients with clinically palpable varicocele and abnormal semen parameters who underwent varicocelectomy. Thirty-three patients underwent laparoscopic varicocelectomy, and 30 received microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy. Semen analyses were performed 5.3 months later, and compared with the pre-operative data. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 32.1+/-1.3 years old. Comparison of the semen parameters between pre and post-varicocelectomy revealed significant improvement in the sperm count (p<0.05). In laparoscopic and microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy, the sperm counts were increased from 16.2+/-4.3 to 30.6+/-7.5 and from 15.4+/-3.8 to 37.5+/-7.7, respectively. Sperm motility also tended to improve. CONCLUSIONS: Varicocelectomy enhanced semen parameters after both laparoscopic and microsurgical methods. In subfertile men, early varicocelectomy is recommended.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Semen , Semen Analysis , Sperm Count , Sperm Motility , VaricoceleABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes of two different surgical methods for varicocelectomy, and to assess the effects of varicocelectomy on semen parameters in subinfertile men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 63 patients with clinically palpable varicocele and abnormal semen parameters who underwent varicocelectomy. Thirty-three patients underwent laparoscopic varicocelectomy, and 30 received microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy. Semen analyses were performed 5.3 months later, and compared with the pre-operative data. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 32.1+/-1.3 years old. Comparison of the semen parameters between pre and post-varicocelectomy revealed significant improvement in the sperm count (p<0.05). In laparoscopic and microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy, the sperm counts were increased from 16.2+/-4.3 to 30.6+/-7.5 and from 15.4+/-3.8 to 37.5+/-7.7, respectively. Sperm motility also tended to improve. CONCLUSIONS: Varicocelectomy enhanced semen parameters after both laparoscopic and microsurgical methods. In subfertile men, early varicocelectomy is recommended.