Retinoic acid and fibroblast growth factor-2 play a key role on modulation of sex hormones and apoptosis in a mouse model of polycystic ovary syndrome induced by estradiol valerate.

OBJECTIVE: The main goal of the present study is to investigate the effects of retinoic acid and fibroblast growth factor-2 on serum levels of FSH and LH, histology, and apoptosis in the mouse model of Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 80 female NMRI mice have been randomly divided into eight groups. Group 1 received normal saline as a control, and Group 2 received estradiol valerate (EV) at 4 mg/100 g of body weight. Moreover, Groups 3-4 were administered with RA (a dose of 0.05 µg/µl) and FGF2 (a dose of 0.01 µg/kg), respectively. Groups 5 and 6 respectively received the EV plus the RA (0.05 µg/µl) and FGF2 (0.01 µg/kg). Group 7 received the RA and FGF2 at doses corresponding to healthy mice, and Group 8 received the EV plus the RA + FGF2 (similar to previous doses). RA and FGF2 were injected three times per week for four weeks. Finally, histological and immunohistological parameters of the ovary were evaluated. RESULTS: The study revealed that both single and combined injection of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) and retinoic acid (RA) in groups 5, 6, and 8 significantly reduced follicular diameters compared to group 2. Measurements confirmed that simultaneous injection of RA and FGF2 into polycystic mice significantly increased antral follicles, corpus luteum (CL), epithelial thickness, and oocyte diameter as well as decreased cystic follicles. Positive TUNEL cells that were considerably increased in the antral follicle of group 2 significantly decreased in the RA and FGF2 recipient groups, either alone or in combination. Besides, the injection of FGF2 increased preantral follicles and CL. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present investigation reveal that injection of RA and FGF2 has both protective and ameliorative effects that can promise new therapies for women with PCOS.

The protective effect of Liza klunzingeri protein hydrolysate on carbon tetrachloride-induced oxidative stress and toxicity in male rats.

OBJECTIVES: Today, consumers are looking for food products providing health benefits in addition to meeting the basic nutritional needs of the body. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and cytotoxic effects of Liza klunzingeri protein hydrolysate both in vivo and in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fish protein hydrolysate (FPH) was prepared using enzymatic hydrolysis with papain. In vitro antioxidant activity was assessed using five different antioxidant assays. The cytotoxic effect on 4T1 cell line was evaluated using the MTT assay. The distribution of the molecular weight of FPH was measured using HPLC. In the in vivo study, CCl4-exposed Wistar rats were orally treated with FPH (150, 300, and 600 mg/kg) or gallic acid (50 mg/kg) for 28 consecutive days. RESULTS: Enzymatic hydrolysis gave hydrolysate rich in low molecular weight peptides (<1000 Da) with strong free radicals (ABTS, DPPH, and OH) scavenging activity and cytotoxicity. Treatment of CCl4-exposed rats with all doses of FPH significantly lowered serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). FPH at doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg significantly decreased lipid peroxidation and improved total antioxidant capacity in serum, liver, and kidney of the CCl4 exposed rats. All doses of L.klunzingeri protein hydrolysate reduced CCl4-induced nitric oxide production of the kidney. Liver histopathological damage caused by CCl4 also ameliorated with all doses of FPH. CONCLUSION: L. klunzingeri protein hydrolysate can be considered as a functional food to alleviate oxidative stress.