Flaxseed can reduce hypoxia-induced damages in rat testes

Background: Hypoxia causes detrimental effects on the structure and function of tissues through increased production of reactive oxygen species that are generated during the re-oxygenation phase of intermittent and continuous hypobaric hypoxia. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of flaxseed [Fx] in reducing the incidence of hypoxia in rat testes

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: i. Control group [Co] that received normal levels of oxygen and food, ii. Sham group [Sh] that were placed in hypoxia chamber but received normal oxygen and food, iii. Hypoxia induction group [Hx] that were placed in hypoxia chamber and treated with normal food, iv. Hypoxia induction group [Hx+Fx] that were placed in hypoxia chamber and treated with 10% flaxseed food. Both the Hx and Hx+Fx groups were kept in a hypoxic chamber for 30 days; during this period rats were exposed to reduced pressure [oxygen 8% and nitrogen 92%] for 4 hours/day. Then, all animal were sacrificed and their testes were removed. Malondialdehyde [MDA] and total antioxidant capacity [TAC] levels were evaluated in the testis tissue. Tubular damages were examined using histological studies. Blood samples and sperm were collected to assess IL-18 level and measure sperms parameters, respectively. All data were analyzed using SPPSS-22 software. One way-ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed for statistical analysis

Results: A significant difference was recorded in the testicular mass/body weight ratio in Hx and Hx+Fx groups in comparison to the control [P=0.003 and 0.027, respectively] and Sh [P=0.001 and 0.009, respectively] groups. The sperm count and motility in Hx+Fx group were significantly different from those of the Hx group [P=0.0001 and 0.028, respectively]. Also sperm viability [P=0.0001] and abnormality [P=0.0001] in Hx+Fx group were significantly different from Hx group

Conclusion: This study therefore suggests that the oral administration of flaxseed can be useful for prevention from the detrimental effects of hypoxia on rat testes structure and sperm parameters

[Teratogenic effects of Origanum Vulgare in mice fetals]

A number of studies on reproduction have mentioned Origanum Vulgare extract's ability to reduce mortality rates and improve fertility rates. However, other studies have suggested that it is possible to use Origanum Vulgare extract to induce abortion. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different doses of Origanum Vulgare on embryo survival and macroscopic abnormalities in mice. In this study, 24 mice Balb/c female weighting approximately 25-30 g were divided into 4 groups. Origanum Vulgare extract was prepared; different concentrations [2.5, 12.5, and 25 mg in 0.25 ml distilled water] were administered, by oral gavage, to three experimental groups of mice between day 6 [starting gastrulation] until day 15 of pregnancy [end of organogenesis]. The control group consisted of six mice that received 0.25 ml of distilled water daily. On day 16 of study, pregnant mice were anesthetized by chloroform and fetuses were removed and stained with Alcian Blue, Alizarin Red s and microwave irradiation. Morphological and skeletal abnormalities were investigated by light and stereomicroscopes. The results of this study showed that high doses of the Origanum Vulgare extract significantly decreased the mean number of embryos [10 +/- 0.5, P>0.05], mean number of live embryos [7 +/- 0.5, P>0.05] in each mouse and resulted in significant reduction in mean weight[1184 +/- 8 mg, P>0.05] and crown-rump length[11.9 +/- 0.23 mm, P>0.05] and the overall size of fetuses compared to control group, whereas there was no significant difference between the groups receiving low dose of Origanum Vulgare extract with control group. In addition, under the effect of the Origanum Vulgare extract the subcutaneous bleeding seemed [2 +/- 0.1, P>0.05] significantly more frequent compared to the control group. Origanum Vulgare extract did not have any positive effect on fetal development; and high dosages led to an increased incidence rate of abortion and fetal malformations in the fetuses of women who received it.

Comparison of differentiation potential of male mouse adipose tissue and bone marrow derived-mesenchymal stem cells into germ cells

Recent publications about differentiation of stem cells to germ cells have motivated researchers to make new approaches to infertility. In vitro production of germ cells improves understanding differentiation process of male and female germ cells. Due to the problem of using embryonic stem cells [ESC], it's necessary the mentioned cells be replaced with some adult multi-potent stem cells in laboratories. The aim of this study was to obtain germ cells from appropriate source beyond ESC and compare differential potentials of adipocytes derived stem cells [ADMSCs] with bone marrow derived stem cells [BMMSCs]. To find multi-potential entity, after providing purified ADMSCs and BMMSCs, differentiation to osteoblast and adipocyte was confirmed by using appropriate culture medium. To confirm mesenchymal lineage production superficial markers [expression of CD90 and CD44 and non-expression of CD45 and CD31] were investigated by flowcytometry. Then the cells were differentiated to germ cells in inductive medium containing retinoic acid for 7days. To evaluate germ cells characteristic markers [Dazl [Deleted in azoospermia-like], Mvh [Mouse vasa homolog gene], Stra8 [Stimulated by retinoic acid] and Scp3 [Synaptonemal complex protein 3]] flowcytometry, imunoflorescence and real time PCR were used. Both types of cells were able to differentiate into osteoblast and adipocyte cells and presentation of stem cell superficial markers [CD90, CD44] and absence of endothelial and blood cell markers [CD31, CD45] were confirmative The flowcytometry, imunoflorescence and real time PCR results showed remarkable expression of germ cells characteristic markers [Mvh, Dazl, Stra8, and Scp3]. It was found that although ADMSCs were attained easier and also cultured and differentiated rapidly, germ cell markers were expressed in BMMSCs significantly more than ADMSCs

protective effect of vitamin E on locus coeruleus in early model of parkinsons disease in rat: immunoreactivity evidence

Free radical formation and oxidative stress might play an important role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease [PD]. In vitro data indicate that neuromelanin [NM] pigment is formed the excess cytosolic catecholamine that is not accumulated into synaptic vesicles via the vesicular monoamine transporter 2 [VMAT2]. We designed this study to investigate the neuroprotective effects of vitamin E in the early model of PD. Male rats [n = 40] with unbiased rotational behavior were randomly divided into five groups: sham operated group [SH, n = 8], vehicle-treated SH group [SH + V, n = 8], vitamin E-treated SH group [SH + E, n = 8], vehicle-treated lesion group [L + V, n = 8] and vitamin E-treated lesion group [L + E, n = 8]. Unilateral intrastriatal 6-hydroxydopamine [12.5 micro l] lesioned rats were treated intramuscularly with alpha-tocopherol acid succinate [24 I.U/kg, intramuscular [i.m.]] 1 h before surgery and three times per week for 2 month post-surgery. To evaluate the vitamin E pretreatment efficacy, tyrosine hydroxylase [TH] immunoreactivity and immunostaining intensity [ISI] for monoamine transporter 2 were used. TH immunohistochemical analyses showed a reduction of 20% in locus coeruleus [LC] cell number of vitamin E pretreated lesioned group but the cell number dropped to 60% in the lesioned group. The ISI of the cells was measured for VMAT2 in LC. Lesioned groups: 1] had the lowest VMAT2 ISI of all neurons; 2] There was an inverse relationship between VMAT2 ISI and NM pigment in the locus and 3] Neurons with the highest VMAT2 ISI also had high TH ISI. The data support the hypothesis that repeated i.m. administration of vitamin E exerts a protective effect on the LC neurons in the early model of PD