Garlic (Allium sativum) feeding impairs Sertoli cell junctional proteins in male Wistar rat testis: microscopy study.

Sertoli cell junctions, such as adhesion junction (AJ), gap junction (GJ) and tight junction (TJ), are important for maintaining spermatogenesis. In previous studies, we showed the inhibitory effect of crude garlic (Allium sativum, As) on spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. The aim of this work was to complete our investigation on the impact of this plant, especially on Sertoli cell junctional proteins (SCJPs). During 1 month, 24 male rats were divided into groups: group control (0% of As) and treated groups fed 5%, 10% and 15% of As. Light and electron microscopy observations were performed to localise junctional proteins: connexin-43, Zona Occluding-1 and N-cadherin (immunohistochemistry) and to describe junctions. We showed that the specific cells involved in the localisation of the SCJP were similar in both control and treated groups, but with different immunoreactivity intensity between them. The electron microscopy observation focused on TJs between Sertoli cells, constituting the blood-testis barrier, showed ultrastructural changes such as fragmentation of TJs between adjacent Sertoli cell membranes and dilatation of rough endoplasmic reticulum saccules giving an aspect of scale to these junctions. We concluded that crude garlic consumption during 1 month induces perturbations on Sertoli cell junctions. These alterations can explain apoptosis in testicular germ cells previously showed.

Impact of garlic feeding (Allium sativum) on male fertility.

Many medicinal plants are designed to improve health but their mechanism of action remains not clear. Among these plants, garlic (Allium sativum) has attracted particular attention of modern medicine because of its widespread use for the prevention and treatment of some human diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer. However, the impact of garlic on the male reproductive system has not been clearly defined. Some studies have reported that garlic improves male sexual function and has beneficial effect in the recovery of testicular functions. However, other authors have shown that this plant impairs testicular functions (such as inhibition of testosterone production) and has spermicidal effect on spermatozoa. In this review, we attempt to clarify the current ambiguity regarding the effects of garlic and its preparations on the male reproductive system.

Chronic iodine overload and apoptosis in cold nodules from endemic multinodular goiters.

As apoptosis and necrosis are known to exist during experimental goiter development and involution, we studied them in ten Tunisian multinodular endemic goiters, five of them having received a chronic excess of iodine during six months. Apoptotic thyrocyte nuclei have been counted on hematoxylin-eosin stained semi-thin sections. Using immunoperoxidase on paraffin sections, bcl-2 and bax immunoreactivities have been evidenced, and CD34 positive microvessels counted; ultra-thin sections have also been observed. After six months of iodine overload, apoptotic thyrocytes were ten times more numerous; CD34 positive endothelial cells were diminished by one half bcl-2 immunoreactivity disappeared in thyrocytes and a bax one appeared in thyroid follicular and endothelial cells. Presence of numerous apoptotic follicular and endothelial cells was confirmed using electron microscopy. Chronic iodine excess induces apoptosis and necrosis of thyroid follicular and endothelial cells, leading to thyroglobulin accumulation in connective tissue.

Fairly elevated incidence of goiter with marginally low urinary iodine in adolescents living in the north-western part of Tunisia.

In order to study the etiology of endemic goiter in the north-western part of Tunisia, we examined 93 adolescents of this region. We measured urinary iodine concentrations, serum total thyroxine, total triiodothyronine, thyrotropin, thyroglobulin and antithyrogobulin antibody concentrations. The adolescents were questioned about their alimentary habits, the origin of their drinking water and the presence of known goiter(s) in their family. Among these adolescents, 49.5% of them had a goiter. Urinary iodine concentrations showed mild iodine deficiency. The serum determinations gave results within the reference ranges, without any significative differences between adolescents, with or without goiter. We found two risk factors: the age of adolescents, and the presence of a known goiter in the family. These results suggest that the actual prevention may not be adequate, or most likely that goitrogenic factors are to be looked for, especially in drinking water, since the majority of these adolescents drink no controlled water.

Puzzling biochemical thyroid profile in patients with multinodular goitre originating from a mild iodine deficient area in Tunisia.

Thirty Tunisian patients with a voluminous multinodular goiter with cold nodules and inhabiting a region of mild iodine deficiency, have been studied. The 131 I fixation by the thyroid, three hours after ingestion was significatively higher than in normal population. Fourty six per cent of the patients have stable iodine urine contents less or equal to 0.39 mumol/L. Three serum concentrations were paradoxically abnormal: thyrotropin (TSH), thyroglobulin (TG) and gammaglobulin concentrations. Fourty seven per cent of the serum thyrotropin (TSH) levels were less than the normal values though the serum total triiodotyronine (TT3), tetraiodotyronine (TT4), free triiodotyronine (FT3), free tetraiodotyronine (FT4), antithyroglobulin antibodies, total protein, triglycerides and cholesterol concentrations were normal. Serum thyroglobulin (TG) rates were elevated, ranged from 2 to 10,180 ng/ml and twenty five per cent of our patients showed levels greater than 500 ng/ml. The gammaglobulin levels were greater than normal in sixty eight per cent of our patients though only 10% of our patients manifest antithyroglobulin antibodies.