Sildenafil reverses the hypertrophy of mice right ventricle caused by hypoxia but does not reverse the changes in the myosin heavy chain isoforms.

In this study, we investigated the effect of hypoxia and concomitant sildenafil treatment on MHC isoforms in hypoxia-induced hypertrophied right ventricles. Right ventricular hypertrophy was induced in mice by exposing them to hypoxic stimulus (11% ambient oxygen) in a normobaric chamber for 20 days. 45 mice were used in this study, distributed randomly into three groups: the first group served as a control (CO), the second group was exposed to hypoxia for 20 days without sildenafil treatment (HY), and the third group was given sildenafil orally at a dose of 30 mg.kg-1.day-1 plus exposure to hypoxia for 20 days (HS). Relative amounts of MHC isoforms were calculated using two ELISA kits containing antibodies against α and ß MHC, and by SDS-PAGE. Compared with the CO group, the HY group showed a significant increase in right ventricle weight/left ventricle plus septum ratio (Fulton's ratio). The HS group showed a significant decrease in Fulton's ratio compared with the HY group, but not with the CO group. Expression of the MHC-ß isoform was significantly increased in the HY group compared with the CO group. There was no significant difference in MHC-ß between the HY group and the HS group. Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide level was significantly higher in HY group than HS group and did not return to normal after sildenafil treatment. Conclusion: sildenafil reversed the right ventricular hypertrophy induced by hypoxia but did not decrease the expression of MHC-ß to normal levels.

Effects of long-term use of fluoxetine on fertility parameters in adult male rats.

The effects of long-term ingestion of fluoxetine on fertility were investigated in Sprague-Dawley male rats. Adult male rats were exposed to fluoxetine at a concentration of 200 mg/kg for 60 days. Long-term ingestion of fluoxetine for 60 days caused a great decrease in spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubules of the testes. Sperm motility and density were also significantly reduced in cauda epididymides and testes of the treated group. The weights of reproductive organs (testes, epididymides, ventral prostrate and seminal vesicle) were decreased considerably. The hormonal assay also showed significant decrease in testosterone levels and FSH levels. Testicular cell population dynamics also demonstrated a decrease in the number of both primary and secondary spermatocystes and spermatids in the treatment group. The number of female rats impregnated by male rats on long-term fluoxetine diet had decreased. The number of implantations and the number of viable fetuses were also notably decreased in female rats impregnated by male rats ingested fluoxetine. Fluoxetine caused a slight decrease in body weight, when initial and final body weights were compared in the experimental groups. Levels of ALT and AST were found to be significantly increased in the treated group when compared to the control. Histometery of reproductive organs confirmed these results. In conclusion, these results confirm that the long-term fluoxetine ingestion produce adverse effects on fertility and reproductive system in adult male rat. Thus, it would be of great interest to investigate the impact via long -term treatment with fluoxetine in male human fertility.

Effects of Ballota nigra on blood biochemical parameters and insulin in albino rats.

Ingestion of aqueous 70% ethanol extract of Ballota nigra (400 mg/kg body weight for 7 days) by albino rats (n=10) was investigated to study its effects on glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), troponin I (TnI), serum creatine kinase (CK), total protein, total bilirubin and blood urea. Ballota nigra extract caused a significant decrease in blood glucose, total serum cholesterol and CK levels. Blood levels of TnI, AST, ALT, triglycerides, total bilirubin, total protein and blood urea were unchanged. The hypoglycemic effect of Ballota nigra extract on albino rats was further investigated by conducting a glucose tolerance test intraperitoneally (IPGTT). Healthy rats that were fasting for 18 hours followed by administration of a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight of the crude extract of Ballota nigra, orally. A significant decrease in blood glucose levels (after 15, 30, and 45 minutes) with a significant increase in serum insulin level (after 15 and 30 minute) was noted. These results suggest that, the crude extract of Ballota nigra have hypoglycemic, insulin-releasing and cholesterol lowering effects in rats.

Effects of Ballota nigra on glucose and insulin in alloxan-diabetic albino rats.

The hypoglycemic effect of Ballota nigra extract on albino rats was investigated. Alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus was accompanied by several fold increases in plasma glucose. Administration of aqueous extract of B. nigra extract significantly reduced glucose in both healthy and diabetic rats. These results suggest that B. nigra possess hypoglycemic effects in rats and therefore, can be useful for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Adverse effects of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) on reproductive function in adult male rats.

Ingestion of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) by two groups of adult Sprague-Dawley rats at levels of 250 and 500 mg/kg body wt for 63 days was investigated for its effects on fertility. Body weight and absolute and relative testes weights were not affected, but the average weights of epididymides, ventral prostates, seminal vesicles, and preputial glands decreased significantly. A significant decline in spermatogenesis in testes due to a decrease in the number of primary and secondary spermatocytes and spermatids in treatment group 2 (500 mg/kg) is attributed to a significant decrease in testosterone. Sperm motility and density were also significantly decreased in the cauda epididymis and in the testes of rosemary-treated male rats in group 2. In addition, the treatment markedly increased the number of fetal resorptions in female rats impregnated by group 2 males, thereby reducing their fertility.

Adverse effects of propranolol on reproductive function in adult male mice.

Ingestion of propranolol at 10 and 15 mg kg(-1) body weight for 35 days by adult male mice was investigated for its effects on fertility. Body weight and absolute and relative testes weights were reduced and the average weights of epididymis, ventral prostate and seminal vesicle decreased significantly. A significant decline of spermatogenesis in testes due to a decrease in the number of primary, secondary spermatocytes and spermatids in the treatment group 2 (15 mg kg(-1)) is attributed to a significant decrease in testosterone, LH and FSH. Sperm motility and density were also significantly decreased in the cauda epididymis and in the testes of group 2 treated male mice. In addition, the treatment markedly increased the number of fetal resorptions in female mice impregnated by the group 2 males, thereby reducing their fertility.

Short-term exposure of female rats to industrial metal salts: Effect on implantation and pregnancy.

Aim: The objective of this study was to characterize the adverse effects of industrial metal salts during the early stages of pregnancy. Methods: Successfully mated female rats were exposed to the following metal salts via intragastric intubation; manganese sulfate, lead acetate, aluminum chloride, ferrous chloride and ferric chloride in doses of 50 mg/kg body weight and chromium chloride and potassium dichromate in doses of 25 mg/kg body weight on days l-3 or 4-6 of pregnancy. Female rats were killed on day 20 of gestation and the pregnancy outcome was determined. Results: The administration of manganese sulfate, chromium chloride, potassium dichromate and ferric chloride to female rats on days 1-3 of pregnancy caused pregnancy failure. However, the administration of manganese sulfate and potassium dichromate reduced the number of implantations. The administration of manganese sulfate, potassium dichromate and ferric chloride reduced the number of viable fetuses. The total number of resorptions increased in the lead acetate, aluminum chloride, ferrous chloride and ferric chloride exposed groups. In contrast, the administration of manganese sulfate, aluminum chloride and ferric chloride on days 4-6 of pregnancy caused pregnancy failure. However, the administration of ferric chloride reduced the number of implantations. The administration of manganese sulfate, aluminum chloride, potassium dichromate, ferrous chloride and ferric chloride reduced the number of viable fetuses. The total number of resorptions increased in the manganese sulfate, lead acetate, aluminum chloride, potassium dichromate, ferrous chloride and ferric chloride exposed groups. Conclusion: This work demonstrates that the short-term exposure of female rats to industrial metal salts during the early stages of gestation would cause failure of pregnancy and produce fetotoxic or fetal resorptive potentials. (Reprod Med Biol 2007; 6: 179-183).

Effect of cholesterol diet on reproductive function in male albino rats.

OBJECTIVE: The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of cholesterol diet (400 mg/kg body weight) for 60 days on gonadal function in albino rats. METHODS: The study was conducted in the Animal House Unit at Jordan University of Science and Technology, School of Medicine, Irbid, Jordan between October 2003 and February 2004. Adult male and female albino rats of Sprague Dawley strain were raised under controlled temperature and light. Male rats were divided into: a) control group--rats receiving vehicle (olive oil) for 60 days and treatment group--rats receiving cholesterol diet for a reproductive cycle. Animals were weighed and autopsied 24 hours after the last dose. Biochemical and histological approaches were used to assess fertility in both groups. RESULTS: The treatment caused significant reduction (p < or = 0.001) in sperm motility and density in cauda epididymides and testes. A significant reduction (p < or = 0.001) in epithelial cell height of caput, cauda and seminal vesicle was also observed. In the treated group, there was a significant reduction (p<0.001) in seminiferous tubules diameter and Leydig cell nuclear diameter. Spermatocytes (primary and secondary) were significantly decreased (p < or = 0.01) and spermatids were significantly reduced (p < or = 0.001) in the treatment group. Whereas, the number of degenerating Leydig cells (interstitial cells) increased significantly (p < or = 0.001). Serum biochemistry reveals significant increase (p<0.001) in cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The intragastric administration of cholesterol diet to male rats for 60 days significantly reduced the number of females impregnated by these males. However, the number of implantations and number of viable fetuses were significantly (p<0.01) decreased in female rats impregnated by males that ingested cholesterol. On the other hand, the number of resorptions was significantly (p<0.01) increased in females impregnated by males that ingested cholesterol. The histometry and histology of reproductive organs confirm these results. CONCLUSION: Hyperlipidemia can cause alteration in the biochemistry and histometry of reproductive organs and can cause inhibition of spermatogenesis via the Leydig cell.