Leptin alleviated ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats via modulation of Sirt-1/Nrf2 and TLR4/NF-kB/caspase-3 signaling pathways.

Objective. Ovarian torsion is a gynecological emergency that occurs mostly during the female reproductive years due to ovarian masses or surgical manipulation. This work aims to explore the probable protective effect of leptin on rat ovaries due to ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Methods. Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: 1) control group; 2) ovarian IR group (OVIR); 3) leptin group I [OVIR + leptin (10 µg/kg body weight, b.w.)]; and 4) leptin group II (OVIR + leptin (100 µg/kg b.w.)]. Serum levels of estradiol and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) were measured. Levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in ovarian tissue were determined along with the expression of sirtuin 1 (Sirt1), nuclear erythroid factor-2 (Nrf2), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nuclear factor kappa (NF-κB), toll like receptor-4 (TLR4), and caspase-3. Results. Serum estradiol and AMH levels were decreased with increased expression of COX-2, TLR4, caspase-3, and NF-κB and decreased expression of Sirt1and Nrf2 in ovary of the OVIR group, which were improved by exogenous administration of both leptin doses. Conclusion. Leptin administration dose-dependently reduced the severity of OVIR injury via modulation of Sirt-1/Nrf2 and TLR4/NF-kB/caspase-3 signaling pathways. Thus, leptin may be used as an adjuvant measure to prevent ovarian damage and improve the outcomes. However, clinical studies are needed to evaluate these results in humans.

Diacerein ameliorates letrozole-induced polycystic ovarian syndrome in rats.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common gynaecological endocrine disease that causes anovulatory infertility. The current study aimed to explore the possible role of diacerein (DIA), an IL-1ß inhibitor, in treating letrozole-induced PCOS in rats that exhibit the metabolic and endocrinal criteria of PCOS patients. PCOS was induced in female Wistar rats by the oral administration of letrozole (1 mg/kg, per orally, p.o.) for 21 days. Rats were then treated with DIA (25 mg/kg/day, p.o.), DIA (50 mg/kg/day, p.o.), or metformin (2 mg/100 g/day, p.o.) for 14 days after the PCOS induction. PCOS resulted in a significantly higher body weight, ovarian weight, ovarian size, and cysts, as well as an elevation in serum testosterone, LH, insulin, glycemia, and lipid profile levels. All of these effects were significantly reduced by the DIA administration. Additionally, DIA remarkably inhibited the letrozole-induced oxidative stress in the ovaries, muscles, and liver by reducing the upraised levels of malondialdehyde and total nitrite and increasing the suppressed levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase. DIA enhanced the protective proteins Keap-1, Nrf2, and OH-1 levels. Finally, DIA inhibited the elevated mRNA levels of NLRP3 and caspase-1, the up-regulated inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and the IL-1ß/NFκB signaling pathway. Our results proved that DIA ameliorates letrozole-induced PCOS through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Melatonin reduced endometrial hyperplasia induced by estradiol in female albino rats.

Melatonin, the pineal gland hormone, plays a crucial role in regulation of neuroendocrine and defensive functions, free radicals neutralization, and suppresses angiogenesis, proliferation and cancer. The purpose of designing our study is to assess the effect of estradiol benzoate and its combination with melatonin on uteri of female albino rats. For 4 weeks, the present study was conducted on thirty six female rats separated into 3 groups: Control group (rats received the vehicle), EB group (rats were treated by estradiol benzoate (600 µg/kg intramuscular) for induction of endometrial hyperplasia), and EB+Mel group (rats were treated with estradiol benzoate (600 µg/kg) plus melatonin (50 µg/ml) added to drinking water. Melatonin administration reduced estradiol benzoate-induced endometrial hyperplasia and prevented the occurrence of atypia associated with a significant reduction in lipid peroxide level and NF-κB mRNA and a significant rise in immune-expression of caspase-3, interleukin-2 (IL-2) mRNA and total antioxidant levels in uterine tissues. The results demonstrated that melatonin reduced estradiol benzoate action on the endometrium.

H2S attenuates acute lung inflammation induced by administration of lipopolysaccharide in adult male rats.

. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is gasotransmitter which plays an important role in human physiology. In this study, we aimed to check the effect of H2S treatment on acute lung inflammation (ALI). Thirty-six adult male albino rats were used and divided into: control group, ALI group which was intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight, ALI group treated by the H2S donor; sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight i.p. and ALI group treated by i.p. injection of 80 mg/kg body weight DL- propargylglycine (PAG) which is an inhibitor of endogenous H2S synthesis. Serum was obtained to determine interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. Lipid peroxides and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels were measured in lung. Lung histopathology and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were also done. Results showed that NaHS improved lung inflammation through its inhibitory effect on iNOS expression, decreasing the levels of IL-6 and lipid peroxides and increasing TAC levels. But, ALI was exacerbated with PAG administration. In conclusion, the results proved that H2S has a protective effect against LPS induced ALI due to its anti-nitrative, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.