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Doxorubicin (DOX) is an antitumor drug that causes hepatotoxicity by release of free radicals and injury of the liver tissues. Nano-thymoquinone (nano-TQ) is considered a potent antioxidant that abrogates hepatotoxicity. The aim of the current investigation was to assess the liver toxicity of DOX and the protective effects of nano-TQ on chronic hepatotoxicity in male rats. Sixty rats were divided into four even groups: DOX treated group (group 1) received 3.750 mg/kg b.wt. intraperitoneally at days 10,17,24 and 31 from the beginning of the experiment to make a cumulative dose of 15 mg/kg b.wt., Group (2) received DOX as group 1 beside nano-thymoquinone daily from day one in a dose of 10 mg/kg b.wt. until the end of the experiment, Group (3) received nano-TQ only, group (4) is considered a negative control group. Serum samples were used for estimating oxidative stress markers and liver function enzymes. Liver specimens were used for histopathological and Transmission electron microscopic (TEM) examination. Doxorubicin administration induced an increase in liver enzymes and lipid peroxidation products. Nano-TQ treatment improved those altered parameters. Microscopic examination of the DOX-treated liver sections revealed vascular and parenchymatous alterations as congestion, thrombosis of the blood vessels, vacuolar degeneration, hepatocellular necrosis and fibrosis of the liver. While nano-TQ improved such pathological alteration of the hepatic parenchyma. Transmission electron microscope of the liver revealed infiltration of lymphocyte in the necrotic areas and presence of fat globules in the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes in DOX treated group while TEM revealed a unique finding in DOX and nano-TQ treated group expressed by hypertrophy of Kupffer cells. It could be concluded that nano-TQ has a potent antioxidant effect that protected the liver damage via its free radicals scavenging protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to find out the effect of different doses of Lipo-6-black fat burner and Caffeine on the physiology of parts of the reproductive system of white male rats. The experiment included administering the Lipo-6-black fat burner to male white rats orally at concentrations (16.82, 8.41 and 4.20). Mg / kg)for 3-6 weeks, and also giving Caffeine orally, which is considered one of the main components of the fat burner at concentrations (11.42, 5.71, and 2.85 mg / kg) for a period of 3-6 weeks for each concentration. The study recorded the presence of weight changes of testis in addition to physiological changes, as it included the results of the first experiment were a decrease in in the weights of the testis and the levels of hormones (Testosterone, LH, FSH) at the middle and end of the experiment. As for the results of the second experiment, changes in the weight of the testis, and an increase in the hormone levels themselves were observed at The middle of the experiment, while at the end of the experiment, no effect on hormones was shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to see the effect of increasing coronary perfusate pressure (CPP) at gradual time laps on the different cardiac parameters of isolated perfused heart in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Twenty rats were used. Group-I served as control (10 male albino rats) and Group-II as a Study group (10 male SHRs). Rats were acclimatized for four weeks with a routine follow-up clinical study. after that the heart of each rat was isolated along with the aorta for the Langendorff perfusion study, different cardiac parameters such as Left Ventricular Developed Pressure (LVDP), Heart Rate (HR) were recorded for the duration of one week. Non- invasively recording of blood pressure also performed in both the groups by NIBP methodology. Cardiac parameters of isolated hearts were recorded at the time intervals of 15 minutes for one hour. The isolated heart was perfused at gradually increased CPP (at 50, 70, 90 and 110 mmHg) along with increasing time. We observed maximum and minimum rate pressure developments in the left ventricle at different time and CPP to measure LVDP and HR in both the groups. Statistically significant difference is marked between groups. SHRs have decreased values of LVDP (p=0.02) during high CPP. This study supports the concept about the interaction of various drug therapies with isolated perfused SHR ‘hearts within a defined time period. So we can suggest that the effect of drug treatment should be evaluated within 60 minutes of langendorff preparation in the hypertensive rat’s heart because of decreased LVDP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The field of nanomedicine has been developed to achieve enhanced and targeted delivery of biomolecules including nanoparticles. Despite their convenience, metal nanoparticles confront strenuous challenges including toxicity, low translocation ability into cells and clearance from the organs. This study aims to detect the in vivo cellular interaction between prostatic tissues and gold nanorods on the prostatic tissue and to detect the short-term effect of the gold nanorods to reach prostatic tissue by histopathologic and electron microscopic examinations. Forty-eight adult male albino rats (180-200 g) were used. They were divided into 2 equal groups. The 1st group received injection of saline 0.9% (i.P); while, the 2nd group received 1 ml of 300 µg/kg body weight of AuNRs. On days 1, 3, 7, and 14 post-treatment, six animals from each group were sacrificed and the prostate was dissected and cut into two sections for performing histopathologic and EM study. It has been found that the short term effect of gold nanorods induced pyknotic and apoptotic changes as well as presence of phagocytosis in the prostate tissues. From this study, it could be concluded that gold nanorods have reached prostate tissue; therefore, it could be helpful in upcoming days to establish a concept on the role of gold nanorods in the management of cellular biological behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to investigate the role of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and/or melatonin (MT) for improvement of β-cell functions in STZ diabetic rats. Male albino rats (130-150 g) were divided into six groups. Control group: received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS); melatonin group received melatonin (10 mg/kg b.wt./day for 2 months by oral gavage); diabetic untreated group; diabetic group treated with melatonin; diabetic group treated with MSCs (a single intravenous injection of 3 × 106 cell in PBS); and diabetic group co-treated with stem cells and melatonin. The results showed significant improvement in glucose, insulin, total antioxidant, and malondialdehyde level in diabetic rats treated with either MSCs alone or in combination with melatonin. The imumuno-histochemical analysis showed that MSCs and/or melatonin treatment reduced the rate of inflammation and apoptosis of the islet cells as well as increased the rate of pancreatic cell division. Such results were indicated by a significant improvement in the level of TNF-α, IL-10, PCNA, and caspase-3 to levels very close to the control. Co-treatment of MSCs and MT resulted in an improvement in the tissue of the pancreas and reduced number of damaged β-cells. It can be concluded that co-treatment of stem cells and melatonin has a significant role in restoring the structural and functional efficiency of β-cells in the pancreas more than stem cells alone. Such results may be due to the role of melatonin as an antioxidant in increasing the efficiency and vitality of stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to investigate the reproductive toxicity of aluminium sulphate and the therapeutic effects of administration of zinc sulphate and vitamin E individually or in combination against the toxic effect caused by aluminium (Al) in male albino rats. The animals were divided into five groups: group 1 received distilled water and served as control; group 2 received only aluminium sulphate (50 mg/kg body weight (b.w.)); group 3 received aluminium sulphate (50 mg/kg b.w.) plus zinc sulphate (50 mg/kg b.w.); group 4 received aluminium sulphate (50 mg/kg b.w.) and vitamin E (15 mg/kg b.w.); group 5 received aluminium sulphate plus a combination of zinc sulphate and vitamin E in similar doses as above. Doses were administered orally once daily for 45 consecutive days. The results revealed that aluminium sulphate induced significant decrease in body weight gain and testis weight and significant increase in Al level in both serum and testes of male rats. Biochemical analysis showed significant decrease in serum total protein and phospholipids levels, while serum total lipid was significantly elevated post Al treatment. In addition, significant decrease in total protein, phospholipids and cholesterol levels in the testes of Al-treated rats was recorded. The data also showed significant decrease in the levels of serum testosterone, leutinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone and significant increase in the level of serum prolactin in Al-intoxicated rats. Moreover, histological examination showed that aluminium sulphate caused apparent alterations in the testicular structure of the treated animals. Treatment with zinc sulphate and vitamin E individually or in combination ameliorated the harmful effects of Al, which was proved histopathologically by the noticeable improvement in the testicular tissues. We can conclude that the tested dose of aluminium sulphate induced toxic effect on the reproductive system of male albino rats and the treatment with zinc sulphate and/or vitamin E alleviated these toxic effects. In some cases, vitamin E exerted a more potent effect, while in other cases, the more potent effect is related to zinc sulphate and the combination of both at most of the recorded data. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aluminum chloride (AlCl3) is an environmental xenobiotic that induces free radical-mediated cytotoxic and reproductive toxicity. Nigella sativa oil (NSO) is an antioxidative agent reported to be important for detoxification.This study aimed to investigate the possible role of NSO in ameliorating the toxic effect of AlCl3 on the histological structure of the testis in male rats.This study was carried out on 40 adult male rats, divided into four equal groups: group I, which served as the control group; group II (the AlCl3-exposed group), which received AlCl3 daily at a dose of 320 mg/kg/l in drinking water through a gastric tube for 1.5 months; group III (the AlCl3+NSO-treated group), which received NSO at a dose of 1 ml/kg orally concomitantly with AlCl3 for 1.5 months; group IV (the withdrawal group), which received only AlCl3 at the same dose for 1.5 months, after which the animals were left untreated for another 1.5 months. The animals of each group were processed for light and transmission electron microscopic study. Morphometric and statistical analyses were conducted.Compared with the control group, administration of AlCl3 revealed significant changes in the seminiferous tubules, which appeared shrunken with disorganized germinal epithelium. Cellular vacuolations as well as sloughed spermatogenic cells into the lumen were observed. The interstitium was widened with interstitial hyperplasia. Ultrastructural examination of the AlCl3-exposed group revealed cells with dense cytoplasm and heterochromatic nuclei. Late differentiating spermatids showed deformed heads with widening of the subacrosomal space and redundant acrosome. Concomitant administration of NSO with AlCl3 showed amelioration of most of the histological changes in the AlCl3-intoxicated group. The withdrawal group showed persistence of many structural changes noticed in the AlCl3-intoxicated group with a significant difference compared with the AlCl3+NSO-treated group.NSO played a protective role against AlCl3-induced testicular damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methanolic extract of Euphorbia prostrata when administered orally at the dose level of 400 mg/kg body weight per day for 60 days to male rats did not cause any significant loss in their body weights, but the weights of their reproductive organs, i.e., testes, epididymides, seminal vesicle, and ventral prostate, decreased in a significant manner when compared to the controls. The production of round spermatids was reduced by 73.04% in E. prostrata-treated rats. The population of preleptotene spermatocytes and spermatogonia were reduced by 65.07% and 47.48% and secondary spermatocytes by 73.41%, respectively. The cross-sectional surface area of Sertoli cells, as well as the cell counts, was found to have been depleted significantly. Leydig cell nuclear area and the number of mature Leydig cells decreased by 57.47% and 54.42%, respectively. Sperm motility, as well as sperm density, reduced significantly. E. prostrata reduced the fertility of male rats by 100%. The protein, glycogen, and cholesterol contents of the testes, fructose in the seminal vesicle, and protein in the epididymides significantly decreased. Histoarchitecture of the testes showed vacuolization at the primary spermatocyte stage. Highly reduced seminiferous tubular diameter and increased intertubular space were also observed when compared to the controls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant Juniperus phoenica (L.) (Cupressaceae) is widely growing on the rocky soils of the Mediterranean regions. In Jordan, the plant is distributed in different locations and is used as a folk medicine to treat rheumatism, edema, and urinary tract diseases. This study aimed to investigate the antifertility effect of J. phoenica in male albino rats. Animals were administered single daily intraperitoneal injections of 400 or 800 mg/kg of J. phoenica cones ethanol extract or the vehicle (dimethyl sulfoxide) for 21 consecutive days. A marked dose-dependent decrease in the counts and motility of the sperms collected from the cauda epididymis of treated rats was observed compared with the control. Furthermore, pregnancy rate in females markedly reduced by 60% and 80% after mating with males treated with 400 or 800 mg/kg, respectively. At the same time, significant decreases were detected in seminal vesicles and testicular weight of rats that received 800 mg/kg as compared with control rats. Testosterone levels were decreased significantly in both treated groups as compared with control. Histologically, seminiferous tubules of treated rats showed marked arrests of spermatogenesis and a marked decrease in the number of mature sperms. Therefore, the results of this study suggest that the ethanolic extract of the cones of J. phoenica possesses potential antifertility effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A crude 50% ethanol extract of Citrullus colocynthis Schrad was administered orally to male albino rats for evaluation of antifertility effects. The animals were divided into five groups: group A was a vehicle-treated control group; treatment groups B, C, and D received 100 mg/kg/day C. colocynthis extract for periods of 20,40, and 60 days, respectively, and group E animals received the extract at 100 g/kg/day for 60 days followed by 60 days of recovery. For androgenicity evaluation of the extract, the animals were divided into four groups: group F animals were castrated 30 days before the experiment to serve as controls, and group G, H, and I were subjected to castration 30 days before the experiments, followed by administration of fruit extract (100 mg/kg/day p.o.), testosterone propionate (0.01 mg/rat/ alternate day s.c.), and fruit extract along with testosterone propionate, respectively, for 30 days. Significantly reduced cauda epididymis sperm motility and density, number of pups, fertility, and circulatory levels of testosterone were observed in all treatment groups. The weights of testes, epididymis, seminal vesicle, and prostate were significantly decreased in groups B, C, and D.The weights of all organs in the different groups of the androgenicity study were markedly decreased in group F when compared with group A, in group G when com-pared with group F, and in group I when compared with group H, and increased in group H when compared with group F. The serum testosterone levels also showed a similar pattern. The concentration of testicular cholesterol was significantly elevated, while protein, sialic acid, acid and alkaline phosphatase concentrations were decreased. The histoarchitecture of the testes showed degenerative changes in the seminiferous pithelium, arrest of spermatogenesis at the secondary spermatocyte stage, cytolysis, and the lumen filled with eosinophilic material. Histometric parameters except Sertoli cell nuclear area and number of ro... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]