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Objective: To evaluate the potential contribution of glycyrrhizin (GLZ) to mitigate the testicular toxicity linked to cisplatin (CIS) intoxication., Methods: 40 mature male Wistar albino rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) were randomly divided into 4 equal groups (n = 10) for 60 days: the control group, CIS-treated group (single dose of 7 mg/kg, IP), GLZ-treated group (25 mg/kg, PO), and GLZ plus CIS-treated group. Blood and testis samples were examined using biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical techniques. Semen samples were also obtained, and any abnormalities were reported., Results: Serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone levels were all markedly reduced by CIS. Oxidative stress and a significant reduction in levels of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were linked to CIS. Immunohistochemically, CIS showed diffuse, significantly positive immunolocalizations against the anti-caspase 3 antibody, indicating widespread apoptosis within the testicular parenchyma. Histopathologically, CIS showed diffuse coagulative necrosis of spermatogenic cells, necrotic Sertoli cells, intertubular edema, and Leydig cell hyperplasia. Moreover, CIS revealed a noteworthy increase in sperm abnormalities. Pre-coadministration and posttreatment with GLZ mitigated the majority of these detrimental consequences, and serum levels of antioxidant enzymes, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and testosterone were significantly elevated., Conclusions: Glycyrrhizin has been proven to be a strong antioxidant as well as antiapoptotic and cytoprotective against CIS testicular damage., Clinical Relevance: The described model is a tool to evaluate the testicular protective impact of GLZ.

Due to their distinctive properties, several eco-friendly metal oxide nanoparticles were assessed for their possible cardioprotective properties. Acrylamide (ACD), a pervasive chemical in food and the environment, has been linked to cardiac toxicity. Therefore, this study examined the probable protective effect of green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (GS-ZNPs) against ACD-oral exposure-induced cardiac damage in rats. For 60 days, 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into four sets that orally administered distilled water, 10-mg GS-ZNP/kg b.w., 20-mg ACD/kg b.w., or GS-ZNP + ACD. Then, cardiac damage indicators comprising CPK, CK-MB, cTn, and LDH were assessed. Besides, cardiac tissues' architecture, oxidative stress indicators, and Zn content were evaluated. The mRNA expression of the ERS-related genes, including ATF3, ATF4, ATF6, XBP-1, CHOP, JNKs, and BiP, were determined. Moreover, ERS-dependent anti-apoptotic (BCL-2) and apoptotic (Caspase-3 and BAX) genes mRNA expression were analyzed. The results showed that GS-ZNP significantly alleviated the increased ACD-induced serum cardiac damage indicators, MDA tissue content, and histopathological changes. Furthermore, the ACD-induced reduction of antioxidants and Zn heart contents were significantly reestablished by GS-ZNP. Furthermore, the ACD-induced upregulation of the ERS-encoding genes and apoptotic genes was reversed by GS-ZNP. Besides, the ACD-induced BCL-2 downregulation was counteracted by GS-ZNP. Overall, GS-ZNP could be a biologically potent compound to alleviate ACD's cardiotoxic effects, possibly by controlling the ERS and apoptosis-related genes and antioxidant activity., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

A Lactococcus ( L. ) lactis strain producing antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory biomolecules (mainly 1,4-Diaza-2,5-dioxobicyclo[4.3.0]nonanes and pyrazine-derivatives) was tested for its capacity to cure clinical endometritis in buffaloes compared to conventional antibiotic-based treatment. Clinical endometritis-diagnosed buffaloes (n = 16/group) were infused intrauterine with four doses of 10 9 CFU-free (FLC group) or nanoencapsulated L. lactis (NLC group) and compared to those that received three doses of saline + a single dose of 500 mg cephapirin benzathin (AB group) or four doses of saline (control, C group) every other day. Endometrium samples were analyzed for cytological (polymorphonuclear cells, PMN), bacteriological, and proinflammatory mRNA expression. Uterine wash and blood samples were collected to determine proinflammatory cytokine concentrations and metabolites in the blood samples. The reproductive performance of buffaloes was assessed. Compared to the C group, the AB and NLC groups had the lowest percentage of PMN, followed by those in the FLC group ( p < 0.05). All treated buffaloes had significantly lower numbers of pathogens than the control buffaloes. Compared to control, all treatments significantly down-regulated endometrial proinflammatory encoding mRNA expression. The concentrations of IL1B , TNFAIP7 , and leukocyte esterase activity in the uterine washings were significantly decreased in the AB and NLC groups compared to the C and FLC groups. All treatments significantly decreased concentrations of serum proinflammatory cytokines compared to control. Both the AB and NLC groups had significantly lower concentrations of serum NEFA than the C and FLC groups. The percentage of control buffaloes having an echogenic uterus and PVD score > 2 was significantly higher than those in the treated buffaloes with higher numbers of corpora lutea, higher conception rates, and shorter days open than control buffaloes ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, L. lactis -producing antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory metabolites reduce uterine inflammatory responses and improve fertility in buffaloes.

Buffalo cows play a vital role in milk and meat production; however, they are characterised by several reproductive disorders. Feeding diets with high oestrogenic activity may be a disrupting factor. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of feeding roughages with different oestrogenic activity on the reproductive performance of early postpartum buffalo cows. A total of 30 buffalo cows were equally stratified into two experimental groups and fed either Trifolium alexandrinum (Berseem clover, phytoestrogenic roughage) or corn silage (nonoestrogenic roughage) for 90 consecutive days. After 35 days from the beginning of the feeding treatments, buffalo cows in both groups were synchronized for oestrus using a double i.m. injection of 2 mL prostaglandin F 2α , 11 days apart, subsequently, overt signs of oestrus were observed and recorded. Moreover, ovarian structures, numbers and sizes of follicles and corpora lutea, were ultrasonography examined at day-12 (represents Day 35 of feeding treatment), Day 0 (day of oestrus) and Day 11 after oestrous synchronization (mid-luteal phase). Pregnancy was diagnosed 35 days postinsemination. Blood serum samples were analysed for progesterone (P 4 ), estradiol (E 2 ), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interlukein-1β (IL-1β) and nitric oxide (NO). The high performance liquid chromatography-analysis of roughages showed the abundance of isoflavones in Berseem clover, with about 58 times higher concentration than that in corn silage group. During the experimental period, the numbers of ovarian follicles of all size categories were higher in the Berseem clover group than that in the corn silage group. No significant difference in the numbers of corpora lutea was observed between both experimental groups, but lower (p < 0.05) diameter of corpus luteum was observed in the Berseem clover group than that in the corn silage group. The Berseem clover group had higher (p < 0.05) overall concentrations of blood serum E 2 , IL-1β and TNF-α, but lower (p < 0.05) overall concentrations of blood serum P 4 than those recorded in the corn silage group. Oestrous rate, onset of oestrus time and oestrous duration were not significantly affected by the treatment. The conception rate was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced in the Berseem clover group compared with that in the corn silage group. In conclusion, feeding roughage with a high oestrogenic activity such as Berseem clover can negatively affect the conception rate of buffalo cows. This reproductive loss seems to be associated with inadequate luteal function and P 4 concentration during early pregnancy., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)