Mechanism associated with changes in male reproductive functions during ageing process.

Ageing is a natural process with physiological changes in different body parts and has been associated with decreased reproductive capacity. Factors such as imbalance in the antioxidant defence system, vascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, accessory reproductive glands infection, obesity as well as buildup of toxic substances play a role in age-related male reproductive malfunction. Age is inversely proportional to volume of semen, sperm count, sperm progressive motility, sperm viability, normal sperm morphology. The observed negative correlation between ageing and semen indices contributes to male infertility and reproductive decline. Normal levels of ROS, plays crucial role in facilitating sperm function, such as capacitation, hyper-activation, acrosome reaction as well as sperm-oocyte fusion; however, a substantial elevation in the endogenous level of ROS, especially in reproductive tissues, usually instigates destruction of sperm cells and heightened male infertility. Contrarily, antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and micronutrients like zinc and folate, have been found by researchers to facilitate normal semen quality and male reproductive function. Furthermore, the role of hormonal imbalance as a result of the compromised hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, Sertoli and Leydig cells disorder, and nitric oxide-medicated erectile dysfunction during ageing cannot be undermined.

Hepatoprotective and Renoprotective effect of Moringa oleifera Seed Oil on Dichlorvos-induced Toxicity in Male Wistar rats.

The liver and the kidney are one of the vital organs of body. Drug-induced toxicity is one of the most common problems encountered by these organs. The search for an effective medicine to treat this toxicity without any side effects has led to the use of traditional-based medicine. This study evaluated the effect of ethanolic extract of Moringa oleifera seed oil on hepatic and renal markers in dimethyl 2, 2-dichlorovinyl phosphate (DDVP, known as dichlorvos)-exposed Wistar rats. Twenty-one male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups of seven animals each. Group A served as the negative control and were not exposed to dichlorvos. Group B served as the positive control and were exposed to dichlorvos for 2 minutes but received no extract. Group C animals were exposed to the dichlorvos and received 300mg/kg of extract (Moringa oleifera seed oil) for 7days before and 21days after exposure. Exposure to DDVP led to a significant increase in hepatic & renal markers, inflammatory markers, decrease in plasma protein and alteration of plasma electrolyte. Moringa oleifera seed oil regulated and significantly enhanced plasma protein, reduced elevated levels of hepatic & renal markers, inflammatory markers in the study sample. In addition, histopathology observation showed that Moringa seed oil was able to regenerate the hepatorenal damage on exposure to dichlorvos. Conclusion: Moringa oleifera seed oil exhibited hepato-protective, nephroprotective properties and could be explored in nutrition and health.

Dysthyroidism induces hepatorenal injury by modulating HSP70/HSP90 and VEGF signaling in male Wistar rats.

Thyroid hormones have been shown to promote the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), consumption of antioxidants, and induction of oxidative stress, which triggers the release of heat shock proteins (HSPs) and VEGF-dependent angiogenesis. The present study investigated the effect of altered thyroid states, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism on hepatic and renal functions, oxidative stress biomarkers, and hepatorenal expressions of HSP70, HSP90, and VEGF. Male Wistar rats were randomized into vehicle-treated control, carbimazole-induced hypothyroidism, or levothyroxine-induced hyperthyroidism. Altered thyroid states caused impaired hepatic and renal functions accompanied by elevated malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione content and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the hepatic and renal tissues. These derangements were associated with down-regulation of hepatic and renal HSP70 and HSP90 and upregulation of hepatic and renal VEGF expression. Findings of histopathological examinations of the hepatic and renal tissues align with the biochemical derangements observed.   This study reveals that dysthyroidism impairs hepatorenal function via induction of oxidative stress and modulation of HSP70/HSP90/VEGF signaling.