The amelioration of nicotine-induced reproductive impairment in male mouse by Sambucus ebulus L. fruit extract / 대한해부학회지

Nicotine as a toxic agent in cigarette smoke impairs the reproductive system. Sambucus ebulus extract (SEE) is shown to have some beneficial effects such as antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of SEE on the hormones of the pituitary-gonadal axis, lipid peroxidation index, antioxidant enzymes, spermatogenesis, and epididymal sperm parameters in male mice treated with nicotine. Adult male mice were divided into five groups; A: normal saline, B: 1 mg/kg nicotine, C: 1 mg/kg nicotine and 10 mg/kg SEE, D: 1 mg/kg nicotine and 50 mg/kg SEE, D: 1 mg/kg nicotine and 100 mg/kg SEE. Treatments lasted for 35 days. The spermicidal activity of SEE was tested in vitro. Sperm count, motility and morphology were assessed for fertility. Serum testosterone, prolactin and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured, using ELISA. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured, using colorimetric assays. Spermatogenesis was evaluated by Johnsen’s score and morphometry in histological slides. SEE at different doses did not have any spermicidal activity. Sperm parameters were reduced in the nicotine-treated group, compared with controls (P<0.01). Nicotine reduced testosterone and LH levels (P<0.01) and increased prolactin (P<0.01).A hike in MDA and a reduction in SOD activity without change on CAT, were observed in the nicotine group. Nicotine caused hypospermatogenesis. SEE improved most of the above-mentioned parameters, especially in the doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. Beneficial effects of SEE in the doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg on male reproduction impairment, induced by nicotine might be partly attributed to the reduction of oxidative stress and changes in the hormones of the pituitary-gonadal axis.

The amelioration of nicotine-induced reproductive impairment in male mouse by Sambucus ebulus L. fruit extract / 대한해부학회지

Nicotine as a toxic agent in cigarette smoke impairs the reproductive system. Sambucus ebulus extract (SEE) is shown to have some beneficial effects such as antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of SEE on the hormones of the pituitary-gonadal axis, lipid peroxidation index, antioxidant enzymes, spermatogenesis, and epididymal sperm parameters in male mice treated with nicotine. Adult male mice were divided into five groups; A: normal saline, B: 1 mg/kg nicotine, C: 1 mg/kg nicotine and 10 mg/kg SEE, D: 1 mg/kg nicotine and 50 mg/kg SEE, D: 1 mg/kg nicotine and 100 mg/kg SEE. Treatments lasted for 35 days. The spermicidal activity of SEE was tested in vitro. Sperm count, motility and morphology were assessed for fertility. Serum testosterone, prolactin and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured, using ELISA. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured, using colorimetric assays. Spermatogenesis was evaluated by Johnsen’s score and morphometry in histological slides. SEE at different doses did not have any spermicidal activity. Sperm parameters were reduced in the nicotine-treated group, compared with controls (P<0.01). Nicotine reduced testosterone and LH levels (P<0.01) and increased prolactin (P<0.01).A hike in MDA and a reduction in SOD activity without change on CAT, were observed in the nicotine group. Nicotine caused hypospermatogenesis. SEE improved most of the above-mentioned parameters, especially in the doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. Beneficial effects of SEE in the doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg on male reproduction impairment, induced by nicotine might be partly attributed to the reduction of oxidative stress and changes in the hormones of the pituitary-gonadal axis.

effect of apple juice on antioxidant enzymes and lipid profiles in orchidectomized rats

The age-dependent worsening of lipid profiles increased the risk of cardiovascular disease in males. Eating fruits and vegetables is known to be beneficial on lipid profile. The objective of this research was to delineate whether drinking daily squeezed apple juice [AJ] modulates lipid profile and antioxidant enzymes in the animal model that gonadectomized. In this experimental study, 28 male rats were equally divided among the following 4 groups: group I [control], orchidectomized [ORX], ORX +AJ 10%, and ORX+ AJ 25%. After 60 days of drinking AJ, superoxide dismutase [SOD], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides in serum were evaluated. Data analyzed by SPSS-16 and computed using one way ANOVA followed by Tukey multiple comparison test. P < 0.05 was statistically significant. In the ORX group compared with the sham group serum SOD and ALP activities decreased [P < 0.05], while serum cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL increased but HDL decreased in ORX groups [P < 0.05]. In contrast to the ORX group, drinking AJ decreased [P < 0.05] concentration of LDL, TG and cholesterol in the serum. AJ also increased [P < 0.05] serum HDL, SOD and ALP activities compared with the ORX group

High omega-3: omega-6 fatty acids ratio increases fatty acid binding protein 4 and extracellular secretory phospholipase A2IIa in human ectopic endometrial cells

Endometriosis, a common chronic inflammatory disorder, is defined by the atypical growth of endometrium- like tissue outside of the uterus. Secretory phospholipase A2 group Ha [sPLA2-IIa] and fatty acid binding protein4 [FABP4] play several important roles in the inflammatory diseases, Due to reported potential anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFAs] on fatty acid binding protein 4 and extracellular secretory phospholipase A2IIa in cultured endometrial cells. Ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissues obtained from 15 women were snap frozen. After thawing and tissue digestion, primary mixed stromal f and endometrial epithelial cell culture was performed for 8 days in culture mediums supplemented with normal and high ratios of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFA. sPLA2-IIa in the J culture medium and FABP4 level was determined using enzyme immuno assay [EIA] technique. Within ectopic endometrial cells group, the level of cellular FABP4 and extracellular sPLA2-IIa were remarkably increased under high omega-3 PUFA exposure compared with control condition [p=0.014 and p=0.04 respectively]. Omega-3 PUFAs may increase the level of cellular FABP4 and extracellular sPLA2-IIa in ectopic endometrial cells, since sPLAIIa and FABP4 may affect endometriosis via several mechanisms, more relevant studies are encouraged to know the potential effect of increased cellular FABP4 and extracellular sPLA2-IIa on endometriosis

Fatty acid composition of human follicular fluid phospholipids and fertilization rate in assisted reproductive techniques

Fatty acids are known to be critically important in multiple biological functions. Phospholipid fatty acids of follicular fluid, an important microenvironment for the development of oocytes, may contribute to the women's fertility and the efficacy of assisted reproduction techniques. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of fatty acid composition of follicular fluid phospholipids on women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques. Follicular fluid samples were obtained from 100 patients, referred to Tabriz Alzahra Hospital. Seventy-nine subjects underwent in vitro fertilization [IVF] and the remaining 21 underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI]. Total lipid of follicular fluid was extracted and fatty acids were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. Saturated fatty acids [SFA, P = 0.002] and the ratio of SFA to polyunsaturated fatty acids [P = 0.001] were correlated negatively with a number of mature oocytes after age adjustment. Linoleic acid [P = 0.006] was positively correlated, while the level of arachidonic acid was negatively correlated with fertility percentage after adjustment for body mass index, sperm count, sperm motility. Since phospholipids are one of the major components of lipid metabolism, the results of this study highlight the importance of this component in follicular fluid lipid metabolism. Consequently, it is proposed as an index in determination of the rate of success in assisted reproductive techniques such as IVF/ICSI

Evaluation of the relationship between endometriosis and omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids

Endometriosis is a common chronic inflammation causing major problems including infertility. The role of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as their potential anti-inflammatory effects in endometriosis needs to be further explored. The objective of this study was to compare serum phospholipid fatty acid profile in endometriosis patients with controls, and to explore the correlation of this profile with the severity of the disease. Sixty-four endometriosis patients and 74 control women, in reproductive age, participated in this study. Among the endometriosis patients, 19 cases were in stage I, 27 cases in stage II, 8 cases in stage III, and 10 cases in stage IV. Each patient underwent laparoscopy. Before surgery, 5 ml of blood was obtained. After extraction of the total lipids, serum total phospholipid fraction was isolated by thin layer chromatography. Fatty acid composition of the phospholipid fraction was determined by gas chromatography and the resulted profile was compared in endometriosis patients and controls. The profile was also compared in the endometriosis group based on the severity of disease. Stearic acid was significantly lower in the endometriosis group as compared to controls [P= 0.030]. No other fatty acid compositions were significantly different between patients and controls. Serum ratio of eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] to arachidonic acid [AA] was in reasonable correlation with the severity of endometriosis [r = 0.34, P = 0.006]. According to these findings, levels of fatty acids in serum total phospholipids seem not to be a marker for endometriosis, but the EPA to AA ratio was a relevant factor indicating severity of illness

Effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on secretory phospholipase A2 type IIa in ectopic endometrial cells

Endometriosis is a common chronic inflammation which leads to infertility and chronic pelvic pain in affected women. Secretory phospholipase A2 type IIa [sPLA2IIa] is an acute phase reactant that is markedly increased in inflammatory disorders. To assess the effects of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFAs] administration in endometrial cells culture on sPLA2IIa level and cell survival comparing homolog ectopic versus eutopic endometrial cells from endometriosis patients. In this experimental study, ectopic and eutopic endometrial tissue samples obtained from 15 endometriosis patients were immediately frozen. After thawing and tissue digestion, mixed stromal and endometrial gland cells were cultured for 8 days in three different culture media; balanced omega-3/omega-6, high omega-3 and high omega-6 PUFAs ratio. Cell survival was measured using 2, 3-bis [2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl]-5-[phenylamino] carbonyl-2H- tetrazolium hydroxide [XTT] method and sPLA2IIa level assessed with ELISA technique. The sPLA2IIa level was significantly higher in the ectopic endometrial cell culture compared to the eutopic group for each of the three matched treatments [balanced, high omega-3 and high omega-6]. Also the sPLA2IIa level in the ectopic endometrial cell group was remarkably increased by each of the three PUFAs treatments compared to control condition [p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.05 respectively]. Cell survival in the eutopic group was significantly decreased by high omega-6 culturing compared to control medium [p<0.05]. The increase in sPLA2IIa level in ectopic endometrial cells by fatty acid treatments [especially high omega-3], strengthens the hypothesis that PUFAs stimulate secretion of cytokines leading to increased sPLA2IIa level