High-performance sulfonated polyether sulfone/chitosan membrane on creatinine transport improved by lithium chloride.

Membrane-based polyether sulfone (PES) is a potential candidate for hemodialysis because of its properties such as high mechanical strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance. However, the nature of the hydrophobicity in the PES membrane inhibits their performance in transporting creatinine. In this study, polyethersulfone (PES) membranes were modified using a sulfonation process and the addition of chitosan (CS) and lithium chloride (LiCl) to improve its performance in transporting creatinine. The FTIR spectrum of the modified membrane shows peaks of the sulfonate (-SO2), amine (NH), and hydroxyl (-OH) groups in absorption areas of 1065 cm-1, 1650 cm-1, and 3384 cm-1, respectively, indicating that the membrane SPES/CS-LiCl has been successfully prepared. The modified PES membranes shows a higher porosity, swelling, water absorption, and hydrophilicity than pure PES membrane. The modification of the PES membrane in this study also enhances the ability of the membrane to transport creatinine. In the pure PES membrane, the creatinine clearance is 0.30 mg/dL, while in the SPES/CS-LiCl (5:2) membrane the creatinine clearance is 0.42 mg/dL.

Marsilea crenata ethanol extract prevents monosodium glutamate adverse effects on the serum levels of reproductive hormones, sperm quality, and testis histology in male rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Marsilea crenata is an aquatic plant that contains high antioxidants level and could prevent cell damages caused by free radicals. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of M. crenata ethanol extract on luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone levels, sperm quality, and testis histology of adult male rats induced by monosodium glutamate (MSG). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study randomly divided 48 male rats into eight groups (n=6): control group; MSG group (4 mg/g body weight [b.w.] for 30 days); MS1, MS2, and MS3 groups (4 mg/g b.w. MSG and M. crenata ethanol extract at dose 0.216, 0.432, and 0.648 mg/g b.w., respectively, for 30 days); and S1, S2, and S3 groups (M. crenata ethanol extract at dose of 0.216, 0.432, and 0.648 mg/g b.w., respectively, for 30 days). The blood sample was collected on days 0 and 30 to determine the LH and testosterone levels. The animals were dissected on day 30, and the testes were isolated for morphometric, histology (spermatogenic cell number), and malondialdehyde (MDA) examination. Moreover, semen was collected to determine the sperm quality parameter. RESULTS: The LH and testosterone levels significantly increased (p<0.05) after M. crenata administration at all doses. The higher dose of M. crenata ethanol extract demonstrated a high decrease in MDA level in MSG-treated rat testis; increase of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, and Leydig cells number; and increase of seminiferous tubular diameter and germinal epithelium thickness. CONCLUSION: The ethanol extract of M. crenata can improve the levels of LH, testosterone, sperm quality, number of testis morphometric, spermatogenic, and Leydig cells in MSG-treated male rats.