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Abstract Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) adversely affects reproduction. We aimed to study the effect of a high-fat diet (HFD), supplemented with apple vinegar, on folliculogenesis in a rat model of NAFLD. Methods Female rats were randomly divided into four groups (N = 28): Standard diet (SD), SD + vinegar, HFD, and HFD + vinegar groups. At the end of the study, biochemical tests were assessed in serum. HOMA-IR (Homeostatic model assessment-Insulin resistance) was calculated. Sex hormones were determined using an ELISA kit; ovary follicle counts were studied using histological methods. The proliferation index of granulosa cells was determined using immunohistochemistry. Kisspeptin expression in the ovary was detected using RT-PCR. Results The HFD induced steatohepatitis and NAFLD. The ovaries in the rat model of NAFLD were atrophied. The ovaries had less count of developing follicles and corpus luteum, and more degenerated and cystic follicles in comparison with the SD group. Vinegar + HFD consumption decreased ALT, compared to the HFD group (P = 0.004). Steatohepatitis was reduced in the Vinegar + HFD group (P = 0.001). Vinegar + HFD considerably reduced HOMA-IR (p = 0.01). The HFD + vinegar diet could increase estradiol (P = 0.001), without significantly affecting progesterone or testosterone. In addition, an increase of primordial follicles as an ovarian reserve and also primary follicles were determined in the HFD + vinegar group. There were no statistical differences in the granulosa cell proliferation index in various follicle types between groups. HFD + vinegar significantly enhanced ovarian kisspeptin expression (p = 0.04). Conclusions The vinegar diet in a rat model of NAFLD raises estradiol, primordial, and small primary follicles, and increases ovarian kisspeptin expression indirectly. Insulin resistance and obesity were improved by apple vinegar, and anti-glycemic and anti-lipidemic effects were also determined. The supplementation of apple vinegar in NAFLD might be useful for ovary. However, it requires further investigation.

Background: The antioxidant defense in the pancreas is low because they are exposed to toxic substances daily. This study aimed to evaluate the ameliorating effect of Viola odorata flowers Extract (VOE) on the pancreas histology and function in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Forty male rats were divided into five groups, consisting of controls; STZ; and STZ plus various doses of VOE (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg). The amylase, lipase, insulin and total antioxidant capacity levels were measured in the sera. The homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance was also measured. The histopathological alterations of the rats’ pancreases were examined microscopically. Results: The serum amylase and total antioxidant activities were reduced in diabetic rats (P=0.001). Varying doses of VOE reduced the serum amylase and glucose levels, and increased the total antioxidant activities compared to that of the diabetic rats (P

Abstract Background Ginseng is a powerful phytoestrogen with high antioxidant properties. Objective This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Panax Ginseng (PG) on folliculogenesis, proliferation, and apoptosis in the ovary impaired by nicotine. Methods Forty adult mice were divided into five groups. Control, sham, and nicotine groups, and co-treated groups of nicotine and ginseng in doses of 0.5 and 1 g/kg. Folliculogenesis was assessed via histopathology and serum evaluation of estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) by ELISA. Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities both in homogenate tissue and serum were assayed by colorimetric analysis. Apoptotic markers of cytochrome c (Cyt c), Bax, and Bcl-2 were evaluated by RT-PCR. Proliferative index was studied by the Ki-67 immunostaining procedure. Results In comparison to the control or sham groups, nicotine significantly reduced the levels of FSH, LH, and estradiol hormones. An insignificant reduction was observed in the progesterone hormone. Nicotine reduced all healthy follicle numbers, except primordial (P = 0.001). Malondialdehyde (MDA) was increased in tissue and serum in the nicotine group (P = 0.01). Serum catalase (CAT) and enzymatic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) both were reduced in tissue and the serum, in the nicotine group. Nicotine induced a reduction in the proliferative indexes of granulosa and theca cells in pre-antral and antral follicles (P = 0.001). However, its effect on the proliferative index of stroma cells was not significant. Apoptotic markers were elevated in the nicotine group (P = 0.001). Co-treatment with ginseng elevated all sex hormones, increased healthy follicles, and reduced tissue or serum lipid peroxidation, compared with the nicotine group (p

Objective: Melatonin is the major secretory product of the pineal gland and may play a role in the etiology and clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the morning serum melatonin level in patients with RA compared to non-RA patients. Materials and Methods: We searched English databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar) for observational studies regarding the morning serum melatonin level in RA patients from January 2000 to October 2020. The weighted mean difference (WMD) was assessed. Heterogeneity was analyzed using the Q Cochrane test and the I2 measure. To assess the relationship between covariates and effect size, we performed a meta-regression analysis. Furthermore, we used the Egger test alongside the funnel plot for the assessment of publication bias. Results: The literature search revealed 214 studies, of which 7 studies met the eligibility criteria. We did not find heterogeneity (I2 = 0.0%). This study showed a higher level of morning serum melatonin levels in RA patients in comparison with the controls (WMD = 5.85). In meta-regression analysis, none of the variables had a significant relationship with the efficacy of effect size. The funnel plot showed all the included studies were symmetrically distributed in the triangle area. Egger's test also showed an absence of publication bias. Conclusions: Melatonin levels were higher in RA patients than the controls, but due to the small sample size of included studies, the power of this meta-analysis was low.

Introduction: The liver, as an insulin target organ, undergoes numerous pathological changes in diabetes patients. This study investigated the effect of the aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of violets on histologic changes and biochemical parameters of the liver in diabetic adult Wistar rats. Methods: In total, 64 rats were examined in 8 groups of 8 rats (1 control group and 7 diabetic groups treated by streptozotocin). The rats were treated in 6 diabetic groups by different concentrations of the aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of violets (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg). Biochemical tests were performed to evaluate the liver enzymes, glucose, and serum albumin using the photometric method on the blood of rats. Furthermore, Hematoxylin and Eosin (H & E) and Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stains were performed to investigate the number of Kupffer cells, hyper eosinophilia, inflammation, congestion, changes in the perimeter and the central vein area, and glycogenic deposits from the liver tissue of rats. Results: The obtained results suggested a decrease of Kupffer cells in the concentration of 100 in extracts. Moreover, inflammatory accumulations decreased in the concentrations of 100 and 400 in the aqueous extract. In addition, a decrease of congestion in the concentrations of 400 in the aqueous extract and the concentrations of 100 and 200 in the hydro-alcoholic extract; a decrease of AST and ALT of serum in the concentrations of 100 and 400 in the aqueous extract; and a decrease of glucose in the concentrations of 100, 200, and 400 in the hydro-alcoholic extract and the concentration of 400 in the aqueous extracts were observed. Conclusion: The prescription of the extracts of violets can improve the liver tissue in terms of Kupffer cell count, inflammation, and congestion. Furthermore, they reduced AST and ALT enzyme levels and serum glucose levels in diabetic rats.

Objective(s): Nicotine as a toxic substance leads to impairment of the reproductive system function. The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of melatonin on testicular alterations, sperm nuclear integrity, and epididymal sperm parameters in mice treated with nicotine.Materials and Methods: Male mice were divided into four groups. Group A received the vehicle, group B received nicotine 0.1 mg/100 g BW, group C received melatonin 10 mg/kg, group D received nicotine plus melatonin. Evaluations were made by histology and Johnson’s score for study of spermatogenesis, immunostaining for study of male germ cells apoptosis, sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test for assaying sperm chromatin integrity, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for assessment of serum levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH), and sperm parameters including morphology, motility, and count. Results: Nicotine caused a significant decrease in spermatogenesis quantity and Johnson’s score, sperm parameters, and sex hormones. Melatonin in group D, increased sperm chromatin integrity, improved spermatogenesis, Johnson’s score, and sperm parameters (P

Objective(s): Melatonin, an important hormone secreted by the epiphysis, is a powerful anti-oxidant with a high potential to neutralize medical toxins. The goal of this study was to demonstrate the beneficial effect of melatonin on epididymal sperm and reproductive parameters in mice treated with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Materials and Methods: Male adult mice were divided into four treatment groups: control, ASA, melatonin, and ASA+melatonin. Mice were administered ASA (50 mg/kg, orally) and/or melatonin (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), or vehicle control, for 14 days. Sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology were evaluated to assess fertility. A colorimetric assay was used to measure serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC). A sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test was used to assess sperm chromatin integrity. Sex hormone levels were measured by ELISA. Results: Compared to the control group, ASA treatment resulted in a significant decrease in sperm parameters (P

Objective: To evaluate the effect of graded doses of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) on sperm chromatin integrity and sex hormones in the adult male mouse. Methods: Forty-nine male adult mice were divided into seven groups. Control group received no drug, sham group received ASA solvent (dimethylsulfoxide 0.1%), groups 3 to 7 received different doses of 0.05, 0.10, 0.50, 1.00 and 5.00 mg ASA, daily for 14 d, respectively. On day 15, evaluations were made by sperm chromatin dispersion test for the study of DNA sperm integrity, radioimmunoassay for the study of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) level and histopathology of testis for Jhonson’s scoring. Results: ASA in groups 0.50, 1.00 and 5.00 mg reduced big halo sperms. DNA fragmentation significantly increased just in 5 mg group. Serum level of testosterone in doses of 0.50, 1.00 and 5.00 mg groups reduced significantly (P

Objective(s):Fumonisins are a group of toxic and carcinogenic mycotoxins, which contaminate the grains and their products. The aim of this study was to examine the apoptotic and proliferative activity of mouse gastric mucosa following administration of fumonisin B1 (FB1). Materials and Methods: Twenty-nine female mice divided into treatment (n=15) and control (n=14) groups. The treatment group received FB1 (150 mg/kg diet) for 16 weeks. The gastric atrophy was allocated using grading criteria modeled on the updated Sydney System. Immunohistochemistry studies were performed for evaluation of apoptosis and proliferative activity in gastric mucosa. Results: Mild to moderate gastric atrophy were observed in microscopic findings of the gastric mucosa in treated animals (P