ABSTRACT
Abstract | Introduction: Broccoli (Brassica oleracea) is well known for its properties as an anticancer, antioxidant, and scavenger of free radicals. However, its benefits in enhancing spermatogenesis have not been well established. Objective: To study broccoli aqueous extract effects on sperm factors and the expression of genes Catsper1, Catsper2, Arl4a, Sox5, and Sox9 in sperm factors in mice. Materials and methods: Male mice were divided randomly into six groups: (1) Control; (2) cadmium (3 mg/kg of mouse body weight); (3) orally treated with 200 µl broccoli aqueous extract (1 g ml-1); (4) orally treated with 400 µl of broccoli aqueous extract; (5) orally treated with 200 broccoli aqueous extract plus cadmium, and (6) orally treated with 400 µl of broccoli aqueous extract plus cadmium. We analyzed the sperms factors and Catsper1, Catsper2, Arl4a, Sox5, and Sox9 gene expression. Results: An obvious improvement in sperm count and a slight enhancement in sperm motility were observed in mice treated with broccoli extract alone or with cadmium. Sperm viability was reduced by broccoli extract except for the 200 µl dose with cadmium, which significantly increased it. Interestingly, Arl4a gene expression increased in the 400 µl broccoli- treated group. Likewise, the Arl4a mRNA level in mice treated with cadmium and 200 µl of broccoli extract was higher than in the cadmium-treated mice. Furthermore, broccoli extract enhanced the mRNA level of Catsper2 and Sox5 genes in mice treated with 200 µl and 400 µl broccoli extract plus cadmium compared with the group treated solely with cadmium. Conclusion: The higher sperm count in broccoli-treated mice opens the way for the development of pharmaceutical products for infertile men.
Resumen | Introducción. El brócoli (Brassica oleracea) se conoce por sus propiedades como anticancerígeno, antioxidante y eliminador de radicales libres. Sin embargo, sus beneficios en la espermatogénesis aún no se han determinado suficientemente. Objetivo. Estudiar los efectos del extracto acuoso de brócoli sobre los factores espermáticos y la expresión de los genes Catsper1, Catsper2, Arl4a, Sox5 y Sox9 en ratones. Materiales y métodos. Los ratones machos se dividieron aleatoriamente en seis grupos: 1) control; 2) tratados con cadmio, 3 mg/kg de peso corporal; 3) tratados con 200 µl de extracto acuoso de brócoli (1 g ml-1); 4) tratados con 400 µl de extracto acuoso de brócoli; 5) tratados con 200 µl de extracto acuoso de brócoli más cadmio, y 6) tratados con 400 µl de extracto acuoso de brócoli más cadmio. El extracto acuoso de brócoli se administró por vía oral. Se analizaron los factores espermáticos y la expresión de los genes Catsper1, Catsper2, Arl4a, Sox5 y Sox9. Resultados. Se observó una mejoría obvia en el recuento y una ligera mejoría en la motilidad de los espermatozoides, en ratones tratados con extracto de brócoli solo o con cadmio. La viabilidad de los espermatozoides se redujo con el extracto de brócoli, excepto con la dosis de 200 µl más cadmio, la cual la aumentó significativamente. Curiosamente, la expresión del gen Arl4a aumentó en el grupo tratado con 400 µl del extracto. Asimismo, el ARNm del Arl4a en ratones tratados con cadmio y 200 µl del extracto, fue más abundante que en los ratones tratados solo con cadmio. Además, el extracto de brócoli aumentó la cantidad de ARNm de los genes Catsper2 y Sox5 en ratones tratados con 200 y 400 µl de extracto de brócoli más cadmio, en comparación con el grupo tratado únicamente con cadmio. Conclusión. El mayor número de espermatozoides en ratones tratados con brócoli abre el camino al desarrollo de productos farmacéuticos para hombres infértiles.
Subject(s)
Spermatogenesis , Brassica , Cadmium , Gene Expression , MiceABSTRACT
Cadmium (Cd) as a heavy metal damages testis and decreases fertility, however, antioxidants can improve sperm parameters and decrease male infertility. In this study we investigated the effect of astaxanthin (AST) on sperm parameters, expression levels of CatSper1 and CatSper2 genes in presence of Cd in mice. Thirty adults' mice were divided into 4 groups, sham group received olive oil and saline (olive oil is the solvent of AST and saline is the solvent of Cd), Cd group received 1 mg/kg Cdcl2, a group received 10 mg/kg AST and 1 mg/kg Cdcl2 and a group received 10 mg/kg AST. The treatments were done intraperitoneally for 14 days. After 14 days sperm parameters were analyzed. Malondialdehyde level, catalase enzyme activity, the alteration of CatSper1 and CatSper2 genes expression were measured in testis. Results showed that Sperm count, viability, CatSper1 gene expression and catalase activity significantly decreased by Cd compared to sham group. Cd significantly increased sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), abnormal sperm morphology and malondialdehyd level compared to sham group. AST significantly increased sperm count, viability and CatSper1 gene expression and decreased SDF and abnormal sperm in comparison with Cd group. AST protected testis and decreased oxidative stress induced by Cd. Our findings indicated that AST could protect sperm DNA, enhanced CatSper1 gene expression and sperm quality in presence of Cd. No significant differences were found in CatSper2 expression among treatments. Therefore, AST as a strong antioxidant can help to protect the potential of fertility against Cd toxicity.
Subject(s)
Cadmium , Spermatozoa , Animals , Antioxidants/metabolism , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Cadmium/metabolism , Cadmium/toxicity , Calcium Channels/metabolism , Male , Mice , Oxidative Stress , Sperm Motility , Spermatozoa/metabolism , Testis , Xanthophylls/metabolism , Xanthophylls/pharmacologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemia is a modifiable risk factor in atherosclerosis with a complex association with inflammation. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, the association between low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and interleukin 17A (IL-17A), as an inflammatory cytokine, was investigated. In addition to IL-17A, serum levels of interleukin 23 (IL-23) and transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß), as effective cytokines in T helper 17 cell (Th17) development, were also determined. METHOD: Cytokine levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in healthy subjects with LDL-C<130 versus LDL-C=>130 mg/dL. RESULTS: Although IL-17A is an inflammatory cytokine and a positive association between its levels and LDL-C is expected, the data obtained in this study provide support for a reverse association (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Inflammation plays a major role in atherosclerosis development; however, various inflammatory components involved in atherosclerosis assert their own unique association with hypercholesterolemia.
