Oral administration of titanium dioxide nanoparticle through ovarian tissue alterations impairs mice embryonic development

Background: Titanium dioxide nanoparticle [TiO[2]NP] is commonly used in industrial products including food colorant, cosmetics, and drugs. Previous studies have shown that oral administration of TiO[2]NP can be toxic to the reproductive system, but little is known if TiO[2]NP could be able to affect the functions of the female reproductive system, in particular fertility

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the effects of oral administration of TiO[2]NP on histological changes in ovaries, pregnancy rate and in vitro fertility in mice

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 54 adult female NMRI mice were randomly assigned to two groups: control group [received vehicle orally] and TiO[2]NP group [received 100 mg/kg/daily TiO2NP solution orally]. After 5 wk, pregnancy and in vitro fertilization rates, histological changes in ovaries, malondyaldehyde and estrogen hormone levels in the blood serum were investigated and compared between groups

Results: Our results revealed that TiO[2]NP administration induced histological alterations in ovary including, degenerating and reduction of ovarian follicles, ovarian cyst formation and disturbance of follicular development. Compared to control, animals in Ti[O2]NP group have shown significant reduction of pregnancy rates and number of giving birth [p=0.04]. TiO[2]NP caused significant reduction in oocyte number, fertilization rate, and pre-implantation embryo development [p<0.001]. Furthermore, malondyaldehyde and estrogen hormone levels were significantly [p<0.01] increased in mice received TiO[2]NP

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that TiO[2]NP exposure induces alterations on mice ovary resulting in a decrease in the rate of embryo development and fertility

Pre-treatment with metformin in comparison with post-treatment reduces cerebral ischemia reperfusion induced injuries in rats

Objective: To explore the effects of pre versus post ischemic treatment with metformin after global cerebral ischemia in rats

Methods: Male Wister rats underwent forebrain ischemia by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion for 17 min. Metformin [200 mg/kg] or vehicle was given orally by gavage for 7-14 days. Rats were divided into: control, metformin pre-treatment, metformin post-treatment and metformin pre and post continuous treatment groups. Cerebral infarct size, histopathology, myeloperoxidase and serum malondialdehyde were measured 7 days after ischemia

Results: Histopathological analysis showed that metformin pre-treatment significantly decreased leukocyte infiltration, myeloperoxidase activity and also malondialdehyde level. Metformin pre-treatment and metformin post-treatment reduced infarct size compared with the control group, but it was not significant in the pre and post continuous treatment group

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that pre-treatment with metformin in comparison with post-treatment in experimental stroke can reduce the extent of brain damage and is more neuroprotective at least in part by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation

protective effect of vitamin E on morphological and biochemical alteration induced by pre and postnatal ethanol administration in the testis of male rat offspring: a three months follow-up study

Dysmorphology and dysfunction caused by prenatal ethanol consumption in different organs of the offspring are wellknown phenomena. The objective of the present study was to explore the antioxidant effect of vitamin E supplementation on testis damage induced by maternal ethanol consumption during pregnancy and early postnatal days. Pregnant Wistar rats on gestation day 7 were assigned to 3 groups, namely, control, ethanol and ethanol-vitamin E groups. Ethanol-treated rats received 4.5 g/kg BW ethanol once per day from day 7 and the procedure continued through postnatal day 21. Vitamin E group received 300 mg of vitamin E and the same amount of ethanol. The male offspring from each group were anesthetized by 10% chloral hydrate [0.5 ml/kg body weight] on day 21 and 90 [n=8 offspring form each group on day 21 and day 90]. The results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA. A p<0.05 was considered significant. The results revealed significant [p<0.05] changes in oxidative stress parameters, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone, as well as testis structural alteration in offspring of ethanol group after 21 and 90 days of birth as compared to the control. Significant amelioration of changes in testis structure, along with restoration of the elevated level of oxidative stress parameters were found in vitamin E-treated animals. The findings revealed that prenatal and postnatal ethanol-induced toxicity in testis was exerted through oxidative stress and implied that these effects could be alleviated by vitamin E as an antioxidant