Virgin coconut oil extract mitigates testicular-induced toxicity of alcohol use in antiretroviral therapy.

The consumption of alcohol by people living with HIV/AIDS is associated with a graver prognosis. Long-term use of antiretrovirals may have certain health challenges that may be aggravated by concomitant alcohol use. This study investigated virgin coconut oil (VCO) as an adjuvant to the deleterious effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and alcohol on the cyto-architecture and functioning of the testis. Forty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 165~176 g, were divided into eight groups and treated according to protocol. Testicular histology, stereological parameters, seminal fluid, testosterone, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, the antioxidants marker malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant glutathione (GSH) were examined. The use of ethanol alone and ethanol + HAART showed extensive degeneration in the seminiferous epithelium, decreased semen quality, disorganized basement membrane and widened, hypocellular interstitium. GSH was significantly decreased in the ethanol alone treated group with no significant effect on testosterone, LH, and MDA levels. Adjuvant treatment with VCO at low dose (2.5 mL/kg/bw) improved sperm motility with a partial restoration of the histopathological alterations. High doses of VCO (5.0 mL/kg/bw) showed greater improvement with respect to sperm counts, increased FSH hormonal and GSH antioxidant levels, and a well-preserved testicular cyto-architecture.

Adjuvant potential of virgin coconut oil extract on antiretroviral therapy-induced testicular toxicity: An ultrastructural study.

The effects of Virgin coconut oil as an adjuvant to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) were investigated on the testicular ultrastructure and biochemical markers in rats. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 153-169 g were divided into four groups and treated as follows: control A (distilled water), B (HAART), C (HAART+Virgin coconut oil 10 ml/kg) and D (Virgin coconut oil [VCO] 10 ml/kg). Testicular segments were evaluated using transmission electron microscopy. Serum was assayed for testosterone, luteinising hormone, follicle stimulating hormone and testicular tissue for malondialdehyde and glutathione. Ultrastructure of basement membrane (Bm), mitochondria and spermatocytes was normal in the control group. HAART-treated group showed significant increase (p < .01) in Bm thickness with significant decrease in Leydig cell nuclear diameter (p < .05) and volume (p < .01) when compared with control group. Mitochondrial cristae appear collapsed, and Sertoli cells showed cytoplasmic vacuolations. HAART+VCO group showed improved ultrastructural details in Bm, and Sertoli cell and Leydig cells show abundant lipid droplets. Virgin coconut oil-treated group showed thinning of Bm with otherwise normal ultrastructural features of organelles. HAART-treated group showed significant increase (p < .01) in testosterone levels. There was no significant effect on malondialdehyde and glutathione levels. Virgin coconut oil improved testicular morphology and reversed HAART-induced ultrastructural alterations. Further studies on putative mechanism are required.

Naringenin attenuates highly active antiretroviral therapy-induced sperm DNA fragmentations and testicular toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy has evolved over the years, leading to a boost in the quality of life in people living with HIV and AIDS. However, growing evidence has shown that highly active antiretroviral therapy has deleterious effects on the testes and the overall reproductive capacity. Therefore, this study is to determine the adjuvant potential of Naringenin on highly active antiretroviral therapy-induced perturbations in fertility of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Thirty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups viz - Control; H: 30 mg/kg of highly active antiretroviral therapy (EFV, 600 mg + FTC, 200 mg + TDF, 300 mg); N40: Naringenin, 40 mg/kg; N80: Naringenin, 80 mg/kg; HN40: highly active antiretroviral therapy + Naringenin, 40 mg/kg; HN80: highly active antiretroviral therapy + Naringenin, 80 mg/kg. The rats were euthanized after 4 weeks. Results showed that there was a significant decrease in sperm count (p < 0.001), spermatozoa with normal morphology (p < 0.001) and progressive sperm motility (p < 0.05) of H compared to the control and the HN groups. Likewise, fragmentations increased (p < 0.05) in tail lengths of sperm DNA in H compared to control. HN40 and HN80 decreased tail lengths compared to H (p < 0.001). There was also a decrease in %tail DNA and tail moment in HN40 (p < 0.001) compared to H. Luteinizing hormone significantly increased (p < 0.05) in HN40, HN80, and N40 (p < 0.001) but decreased in H (p < 0.05) compared to control. The diameter of the seminiferous tubules also decreased (p < 0.05) in H compared to control, N80, and HN40. Likewise, the area of the seminiferous tubules in group H decreased (p < 0.05) compared to N80 and HN80. The seminiferous tubules epithelium increased (p < 0.05) in N40 and HN40 compared to H. This study establishes that highly active antiretroviral therapy has deleterious effects on the testicular microanatomy, sperm parameters, and sperm DNA of Sprague-Dawley rats, which may impair fertility but Naringenin is a potential complimentary adjuvant.

Effect of co-administration of Hypoxis hemerocallidea extract and antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on the histomorphology and seminal parameters in Sprague Dawley rats.

Although the successful introduction and rollout of antiretroviral therapy has impacted positively on morbidity and mortality of HIV-positive patients, its interaction with plant-based adjuvants remain sparsely investigated. We report the interaction and effects of adjuvant treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and Hypoxis hemeocallidea (HH) extracts on testicular structure of rats. A total of 63 pathogen-free adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into nine groups and treated according to protocols. HAART cocktail predisposed to significant negative testicular parameters of sperm count, motility and seminiferous tubular epithelial height (quantitatively) (p < .03) and also altered the histomorphology of tubules with diffuse hypoplasia in seminiferous tubules. The higher dose of HH showed a better ability to mitigate the altered parameters and compares favourably with vitamin C in this protocol. While HH did not show any deleterious impact on morphometric data, its role as adjuvant did not significantly reduce the negative impact of HAART on morphometric indices especially with the lower dosage. Further investigations are warranted on the interactions between HAART and Hypoxis.

Morphometric study of lumbar vertebrae in adult South African subjects / Estudio morfométrico de las vértebras lumbares en sujetos adultos de Sudáfrica

Lumbar vertebral dimensions provide vital clinical information of immense diagnostic benefits to medical experts. The present study provides data for lumbar vertebral dimensions of a cohort of specimens of South African females and males. Measurements were obtained from lumbar vertebrae from the osteological collections in the Discipline of Clinical Anatomy, Nelson Mandela School of Medicine using a digital caliper. The antero-posterior body diameter (APD), interpedicular distance (IPD), midsagittal diameter (MSD) and pedicle length (PL) were measured while ratio of MSD to APD was calculated. Results showed gradual increase from L1 to L5 for mean APD and IPD, and a decrease for mean PL from L1 to L5. Mean MSD was observed to present a "U" curve pattern from L1 to L5, while MSD/APD ratio decreased from L2 downwards. We report that certain lumbar dimensions also showed significant correlation with age at distinct lumbar levels. The present data provides a baseline of lumbar vertebral morphology for the South African adult cohort and requires further investigations with larger cohort.

Las dimensiones lumbares vertebrales proporcionan información vital en la clínica para alcanzar un diagnóstico correcto. El presente estudio proporciona datos de las dimensiones vertebrales lumbares en una cohorte de hombres y mujeres de Sudáfrica. Las mediciones de las vértebras lumbares se obtuvieron de colecciones osteológicas correspondientes a la Cátedra de Anatomía Clínica, de la Escuela de Medicina Nelson Mandela. Se utilizó un calibrador digital. Se midieron el diámetro antero-posterior del cuerpo vertebral (DPA), la distancia interpedicular (DIP), el diámetro sagital mediano (DSM) y la longitud del pedículo (LP); y se calculó la relación de DSM con DPA. Los resultados mostraron un aumento gradual de L1 a L5 para la mediana de DPA y DIP, y una disminución de la media de LP de L1 a L5. La media de DSM presentó un patrón de curva en "U" de L1 a L5, mientras que el índice DSM / DPA disminuyó de L2 hacia inferior. Ciertas dimensiones lumbares también mostraron una correlación significativa con la edad en los distintos niveles lumbares. El presente estudio proporciona datos acerca de la morfología vertebral lumbar para una cohorte de adultos de Sudáfrica, y consideramos que se requieren de más investigaciones con una cohorte más amplia.

A Morphological Study of the Suprascapular Notch in a Sample of Scapulae at the University of Kwazulu Natal / Estudio Morfológico de la Escotadura Supraescapular en una Muestra de Escápulas de la Universidad de KwaZulu-Natal

The suprascapular notch (SSN) is important, as it is a risk factor in the development of suprascapular nerve entrapment syndrome. The purpose of this study is to describe the morphology of the SSN of a sample of normal scapulae in the Discipline of Clinical Anatomy, University of KwaZulu Natal. Sixty scapulae were used consisting of 37 males and 23 females (mean age 51 years). The superior transverse diameter and maximal depth of the notches were measured. Comparisons were made of the notch in relation to the maximal width and length of the scapulae, laterality and sex. The Rengachary classification method was adopted to describe the shape of the SSN. Analysis of morphological variations showed Type II- wide blunted V-shaped notch to be predominant (65%). Three scapulae had absent notches (Type I). The average notch depth and transverse diameter were 6.51±2.69 mm and 13.18±5.52 mm respectively. The right SSN were significantly deeper than the left (7.54±2.51 mm) (p<0.02). The male scapulae were distinctively larger, with females having a much shallower and wider notch. Understanding the morphological variation of the SSN is important when various radiological imaging techniques are utilized such as during arthroscopic shoulder operations and anaesthesia for landmarking of the suprascapular nerve.

La incisura supraescapular (IS) es importante, ya que es un factor de riesgo en el desarrollo del síndrome de atrapamiento del nervio supraescapular. El propósito de este estudio fue describir la morfología de la IS de una muestra de escápulas normales en la disciplina de Anatomía Clínica de la Universidad de KwaZulu-Natal. Se utilizaron sesenta escápulas, 37 de hombres y 23 de mujeres (edad media 51 años). Se midieron el diámetro transversal superior y la profundidad máxima de las incisuras. Se realizaron comparaciones de la incisura en relación al ancho máximo y la longitud de la escápula, su lateralidad y el sexo. Se utilizó el método de clasificación de Rengachary para describir la forma de la IS. El análisis de las variaciones morfológicas mostró que el Tipo II, muesca amplia roma en forma de V, fue predominante (65%). Tres escápulas no presentaron incisuras (Tipo I). La Media de la profundidad y diámetro transversal fueron 6,51±2,69 mm y 13,18±5,52 mm, respectivamente. Las IS derechas fueron significativamente más profundas que las izquierdas (7,54±2,51 mm) (p<0,02). Las escápulas de los hombres fueron significativamente de mayor tamaño que las de mujeres, con una incisura más superficial y ancha. La comprensión de las variaciones morfológicas de la IS son relevantes ya que diversas técnicas de imágenes radiológicas son utilizadas durante cirugías artroscópicas y anestesia del hombro para estimar puntos anatómicos del nervio supraescapular.

Testicular histomorphologic and stereological alterations following short-term treatment with highly active antiretroviral drugs (HAART) in an experimental animal model.

The increased accessibility of antiretroviral therapy continues to positively drive the reduction in viral load and survival of patients despite the attendant reproductive toxicities. We propose that testicular damage caused by highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can be attenuated by antioxidant treatment by investigating the testicular histomorphologic and stereological effects of antiretroviral drugs and its interaction with antioxidants using an experimental animal model. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into seven groups of six rats per group (A, B... G) using simple random sampling and treated orally with 0.9% normal saline as placebo, a HAART cocktail of stavudine, lamivudine and nevirapine using the adjusted human therapeutic doses of 200, 600 and 350-400 mg/day, respectively, and antioxidants ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and I.M α-tocopherol (vitamin E). Animals were killed after 4 weeks and testicular tissue harvested and processed for light microscopy and stereological evaluations. The results were interpreted by a Veterinary pathologist blinded to the study. No animal died during the experimental period. The histopathological assessment of the testis of animals treated with placebo, ascorbic acid alone and α-tocopherol alone as well as vitamin E + HAART displayed normal testicular microanatomy. Groups treated with HAART alone, HAART + vitamin C + vitamin E and vitamins C + HAART showed extensive seminiferous tubular atrophy, necrosis and hypocellularity in the histoarchitectural patterns. While testicular cross-sectional area of seminiferous tubules remained unaffected by HAART, epithelial heights significantly decreased (p < 0.05) when compared with controls. There was marked (p < 0.05) increased in testicular-body weight ratio in HAART group. The results show that vitamin E could be useful in protecting testicular tissue from toxicities of HAART regimes as these results mirrors stereological data for the groups. HAART presents with deleterious histopathological changes in the testes causing tubular atrophy with altered morphometric indices. Supplementation with vitamin E appears to be a better adjuvant antioxidant that ameliorates these deleterious effects.