Effects of Camellia sinensis L. [green tea] extract on the body and testicular weight changes in adult Wistar rats

This research was aimed to study the effects of oral administration of Camellia sinensis L. on the testicular and body weights of adult Wistar rats for short and long time periods. The adult Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups [A, B and C]. Every group had ten rats. Green tea extract 0.692% [w/v] was given to groups A and B on daily basis. The extracts were prepared fresh and given for a period of ten and thirty days, respectively, while distilled water was given to the group C rats only. The adult Wistar rats were sacrificed on eleventh and thirty-first day of experiment for the particular groups. The testes were dissected out cautiously, free from the supporter tissues and weighed to the adjacent 1 mg. There is no significant difference in the body weight in all 3 groups. Moreover, it was observed that Wistar rat's testicular weight was considerably increased in group B but no major changes were seen in group A. Our results indicated that green tea when given for short period of time may be effective to the testes but has no consequence on Wistar rat's body weight. However, it is indistinct if these alterations are reversible

Lithium induced histological alteration in testes of albino rats and theiramelioration with vitamin E

Objective: To evaluate the lithium induced histological alteration in testes of albino rats and their amelioration by Vitamin E

Study Design: Experimental study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at department of Anatomy, Baqai Medical University, Karachi from July 2010 to August 2010

Materials and Methods: The rats were assigned into three experimental groups [eight rats/group]: control group, lithium group and lithium plus vitamin E treated group. Lithium [50 mg/kg/day] and vitamin E [50mg/kg/day] were given intraperitoneally for 21 days. At the end of experiment, rats were sacrificed and testes removed and processed for routine H and E. Slides were studied for histological examination under light microscope

Results: Lithium treated rats showed decreased body and testicular weights, spermatogenic cells such as primary and secondary spermatocytes and spermatids were decreased, very little spermatozoa were seen in lumen of seminiferous tubules, significant increase in tubular count observed while tubular diameter, germinal epithelial thickness, number and size of nuclei of leydig cells were highly significantly reduced. In lithium plus vitamin E treated group, body and testicular weight, primary and secondary spermatocytes, spermatids were restored near to control. Tubular lumen also showed many spermatozoa. Tubular diameter, germinal epithelial thickness, numberand size of nuclei of leydig cells were also returned tocontrol

Conclusion: Our study conclude that lithium causes detrimental effect on testicular morphology through oxidative stress and vitamin E provided protection through its antioxidative property

Relationship between smoking and serum ferritin levels

High serum lipid levels, smoking and lack of physical activity are recognized modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis and coronary heart diseases. Serum ferritin, the stored form of iron provides free iron for oxidation of lipids. It is being investigated as a risk factor for cardiovascular and coronary heart diseases. To find out the relationship between modifiable risk factors serum ferritin and smoking. Material and 38 smokers and 56 nonsmokers, male aged 20 to 66 were selected by convenient method. Smokers were divided in three groups according to smoking strength. Serum ferritin was done by ELISA 1-step sandwich assay. Sample of blood was collected after 14 hours fasting and abstinence of smoking. Serum stored at 20°C for future analysis. Result: Mean serum ferritin in non-smokers was found to be 154 +/- 15.11 ng/ml and in smokers 237.7 +/- 39.89ng/ml, which is highly significant [P< 0.009]. Results were evaluated by SPSS 7.5 software. Smoking contains free radicals that result in oxidative stress, which increases ferritin synthesis

Relationship between physical activity and serum ferritin levels

Atherosclerosis, one of the most important events, is responsible for most of the coronary heart diseases and other cardiovascular diseases. Unfavorable lipid profile, smoking and lack of physical activity are well known risk factors. Serum ferritin, the stored form iron, provides free iron for lipidperoxidation and formation of foam cells of atheroma, is currently being listed as a new modifiable risk factor. To find out any relationship between serum ferritin and physical activity. Material And 45 physically active and 49 non-active, male aged 18 to 65 were selected by convenient sampling. Physically active subjects were divided into two groups, maximally active and moderately active. Blood sample was collected after 14 hours fasting and abstinence of smoking for the detection of serum ferritin by ELISA 1-step sandwich assay. The serum ferritin in physically non active subjects was found to be 205.5 +/- 18.2 ng/ml and in active subjects 168.4 +/- 26.56ng/ml which is weakly negative and non significant [P<0.246]. Became highly significant [P<0.003] when confounders were added. Results were evaluated on SPSS 7.5 Physical activity decreases the serum ferritin. Moderate physical activities are more important in lowering of serum ferritin than heavy

Protective effect of vitamin E against nicotine induced morphological changes in rat testis

To evaluate the protective effect of vitamin-E against nicotine induced toxicity in the testis of rats. Design: Experimental study of rat testis. Setting: Department of Anatomy, Basic Medical Sciences Institute, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi. Subjects: Thirty male adult albino rats were divided in three equal groups, i.e. Normal Control group [A], nicotine- treated - group [B] and vitamin E plus nicotine treated group[C]. Vitamin-E was given as 10mg/ animal, while nicotine as 1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally for 19 days. On completion of treatment all the animals were sacrificed. Their testis were removed and processed for paraffin embedding and stained with H and E and PAS. Simultaneous administration of vitamin-E and nicotine showed protective effect of vitamin E against the nicotine induced toxicity, with a highly significant [P < 0.001] increase in the count and diameter of seminiferous tubules and the thickness of germinal epithelium also the number of interstitial cell nuclei. There was a significant [P < 0.01] increase in the diameter of interstitial cell nuclei in comparison with the toxic changes produced by nicotine. Nicotine induced toxicity may partially be prevented by simultaneous administration with vitamin 'E' in albino rats