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Nicotine as a toxic agent in cigarette smoke impairs the reproductive system. Sambucus ebulus extract (SEE) is shown to have some beneficial effects such as antioxidant properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of SEE on the hormones of the pituitary-gonadal axis, lipid peroxidation index, antioxidant enzymes, spermatogenesis, and epididymal sperm parameters in male mice treated with nicotine. Adult male mice were divided into five groups; A: normal saline, B: 1 mg/kg nicotine, C: 1 mg/kg nicotine and 10 mg/kg SEE, D: 1 mg/kg nicotine and 50 mg/kg SEE, D: 1 mg/kg nicotine and 100 mg/kg SEE. Treatments lasted for 35 days. The spermicidal activity of SEE was tested in vitro. Sperm count, motility and morphology were assessed for fertility. Serum testosterone, prolactin and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured, using ELISA. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were measured, using colorimetric assays. Spermatogenesis was evaluated by Johnsen’s score and morphometry in histological slides. SEE at different doses did not have any spermicidal activity. Sperm parameters were reduced in the nicotine-treated group, compared with controls (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.

Objectives Tonsillotomy with radiofrequency (RF) is one of the newest treatments for chronic tonsillitis, but the mechanism of RF effects and complications are still pending. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of RF on the histological and bacteriological characteristics of the tonsils (Case-control study). Materials and methods In fifty-two patients with chronic tonsillitis in 2017–2018, immediately after tonsillectomy, the tonsils were divided into 2sections; one sample treated with RF, and the other one considered as control, without intervention. All tonsil samples sent for histological and bacteriological study: morphometric assays made by Digitizer software, and type of bacterial colonies identified by microbiological and biochemical tests. Willcoxon and McNemar tests were used for statistical analysis and level of significance was p ≤ .05. Results Tonsil mucosal thickness (2202.98 ± 323.09 vs. 2463.94 ± 357.61 μm) and size of the tonsil nodule (28,000.42 ± 9608.75 vs. 36,692.81 ± 7040.74 μm2) were significantly lower in the RF+ group than other group (p = .001 and p = .01, respectively). There was no significant differences in thickness of the tonsil epithelium (p = .075), number of lymphoid nodules (p = .860), and the number of reticular tonsil epithelium (p = .813) between the two groups. Bacterial growth in RF- and RF+ groups had no statistically significant difference (p = .06), however, the average colony count of S. aureus in RF+ tonsils were significantly lower, and total number of bacterial colonies were significantly lower in RF+ group(1405 ± 156 vs. 2471 ± 156), (p = .001). Conclusion RF surgery has significant effects on size of the nodules, thickness of the mucous layer and bacteriological characteristics of tonsil tissue. Especially S. aureus seems to be more sensitive to RF effects.

Any imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidant system results in oxidative stress. ROS results in impaired spermatogenesis, sperm parameters, sperm function, fertilization rate, and fertility. The reproductive system of male mammals has two types of agents, namely enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant agents, to reduce the level of oxidants and associated side effects. Melatonin, a well-known antioxidant, is an important hormone produced by the pineal gland and is secreted in a rhythmic manner. It can also be produced by the male reproductive tract. Melatonin receptors, which have been detected in the hypothalamus, hypophysis, testis, epididymis, sperm, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, and prostate, have important roles in male reproductive function. Melatonin protects male fertility against chemotherapy, drugs, diseases, and toxic agents. This chapter highlights the antioxidative roles of melatonin in male reproductive function.

Peripheral nerve injury is a common clinical issue induced by trauma, tumor, and damage caused by treatment. Such factors create chemical and inflammatory alterations at the injury site, which increase nerve deterioration. Thus, minimizing these modifications can lead to nerve protection after injury. The present study sought to evaluate the possible improvement in nerve regeneration and enhancement of functional outcomes by cinnamaldehyde (Cin) administration following sciatic nerve crush in a rat model. Rats (n = 48) were distributed into 6 groups, including sham, injury, DMSO (vehicle group), and Cin groups (10, 30, and 90 mg/kg/day). Using small hemostatic forceps, crush injury was induced in the left sciatic nerve. Thereafter, Cin was administered for 28 successive days. Weekly records were taken for sciatic functional index (SFI) measurements. Further assessments including electrophysiological and histomorphometric evaluations, gastrocnemius muscle wet weight measurements, and estimation of the serum total oxidant status were performed. According to the results, Cin could accelerate sciatic nerve recovery after crush injury, and the dose of 30 mg/kg/day of Cin had better impacts on SFI recovery, muscle mass ratio, and myelin content. The current research demonstrated that Cin positively affects peripheral nerve restoration. Therefore, Cin therapy could be considered as a potential treatment method for peripheral nerve regeneration and its functional recovery. However, more investigations are required to further validate the study results and evaluate the optimal dose of Cin.

The objective was to examine the effect of different dietary zinc sources on reproduction of male Japanese quail. A total of 512 quail chicks (day-old) were divided into four groups with four replications for a period of 42 days. After this period, excess chicks were removed to attain the ratio of one male to three females and 16 quail in each subgroup. At 52 to 60 d of age, the eggs were collected and incubated. The basal diet (control) contained no zinc and the other three experimental diets were supplemented with 25 and 50 mg/kg zinc from zinc oxide (ZnO), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONP) and zinc-methionine (Zn-Met) for 1 to 35 and 36 to 60 days, respectively. On day 42, two males from each replicate were euthanized. Males from the ZnO and Zn-Met treatments had an increase (P

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: One of the side effects of diabete is subfertility. Diabete induces oxidative stress and cellular death in testis. Lepidium sativum is a plant with antidiabetic effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of lepidium sativum (LS) extract on diabetic and injured rat testis induced by streptozotocin (STZ).METHODS: In this experimental study, 36 adult rats were used. They were randomly divided into 6 groups. Group 1 (control) received normal saline. Groups 2 and 3 received 200 and 400 mg/kg, LS respectively. Group 4 received 65mg/kg, STZ for induction of diabetes. Groups 5 and 6 received 200 or 400 mg/kg LS plus STZ. STZ were administered in a single dose. LS extract and normal saline were administered once daily for 21 consecutive day. On the 22nd day after the experiment all animals were dissected and their testis were analyzed for histologic and morphometric studies.FINDINGS: STZ induced spermatogenesis impairment and a significant decrease in germinal epithelial height 70.8 ± 4.65 µ compared to control 95.60± 6.87 µ (p

The current study examines the protective effect of oxytocin (OT) on cardiomyocyte apoptosis modulated by mitochondrial ATP-dependent potassium (mitoKATP) channel and permeability transition pore (mPTP) in the preconditioned myocardium of anesthetized rats. Eighty rats were equally divided into eight groups. The hearts of all animals except for the sham group were subjected to 25 min ischemia and 120 min reperfusion. Oxytocin, 5-hydroxydeconoate (5-HD), a specific inhibitor of the mitoKATP channel, and atractyloside (ATRC), an mPTP opener, were used prior to ischemia. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded throughout the experiment. Evaluations were made by infarct size, plasma lactate dehydrogenase level (LDH), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and immunohistochemistry studies. OT prevented mean arterial pressure drop during early phase of ischemia and reperfusion. Treatment with OT before IR induction normalizes cardiomyocytes both in light microscopy and TEM observations. In addition, OT significantly reduced TUNEL- and increased Bcl-2-labeled positive cell number relative to IR (p

Background Nicotine exposure causes impaired fertility and ovarian dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective role of melatonin, which is known as an antioxidant agent on altered ovarian functions upon nicotine exposure. Methods A total of 32 female adult NMRI mice were divided randomly into four groups (n = 8). The control group received vehicle, while group 2 received nicotine (40 µg/kg) for 15 days and group 3 melatonin (10 mg/kg) for 5 days. Group 4 received both nicotine (40 µg/kg) and melatonin (10 mg/kg) for the same periods. All animals were treated intraperitoneally. After autopsy on the 16th day, histopathological and morphometrical examinations were performed and serum estradiol concentrations were measured. The data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test. A value of p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results Nicotine significantly reduced the number of pre-antral and antral follicles, as well as estradiol concentration compared to the control group (p < 0.05). However, the decrease in the number of primordial follicles was not significant in the nicotine treated group. A significant increase in the atretic follicles were observed in group 2 compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, melatonin caused a marked normalization in the number of ovarian follicles and estradiol levels in group 4 compared to group 2. Conclusion The results from this study suggest that melatonin may have a protective effect against nicotine-induced ovarian changes on the number of different stages of follicle growth.

The aim of the present study is to assess the role of endogenous oxytocin (OT) in cardioprotective effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) in anesthetized rat.Animals were divided into five groups: 1) ischemia-reperfusion (IR); (n=6), hearts were subjected to 25 min regional ischemia and 60 min reperfusion, 2) OT; (n=6), oxytocin was administered (0.03 μg/kg i.p) 10 min prior to ischemia, 3) IPC; (n=7), IPC was induced via a 5 min regional ischemia followed by 5 min of reperfusion before IR, 4) IPC+ATO (Atosiban); (n=6), atosiban (1.5 μg/kg i.p) was used as OT receptor selective antagonist in the beginning of IPC and 5) IR+ATO; (n=6), atosiban was injected 10 min prior to ischemia-reperfusion.In our experiment, Infarct size was decreased significantly in OT and IPC groups compared to IR (23 ± 1.5% and 19 ± 0.6% vs. 45 ± 2.9% in IR group, P0.05). Administration of atosiban in IPC+ATO group increased infarct size to 39 ± 0.9% in comparison with OT and IPC groups (P0.05). The use of OT and IPC prior to ischemia significantly declined ventricular arrhythmias severity in compared to IR group (1.2 ± 0.4 and 1 ± 0.5 respectively, vs. 4 ± 0.4 in IR group, P0.05). Blockade of OT receptor by atosiban abolished the cardiopreconditioning effects of IPC.This study shows that, in part, the cardioprotective effects of IPC can be induced by endogenous OT.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with low testosterone levels in serum. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of apple vinegar on fertility indices in a rat model of NAFLD. To study this effect, 32 adult male rats were divided into four groups: A-normal diet, B-high-fat diet (HFD), C-apple vinegar and D-HFD plus apple vinegar. At the end of the week 22, the Lee index, serum lipid profiles, liver enzymes, glucose and total antioxidant levels (TAC) in serum were determined. In addition, liver and testis tissue homogenate, histopathology, serum testosterone and sperm parameters were measured and HOMA-IR calculated. Significant reduction in Lee index, serum triglyceride, cholesterol, liver enzymes and glucose levels was observed in vinegar treated group compared with HFD group. Vinegar lowered insulin resistance compared with HFD (p < 0.01). Steatosis in hepatocytes reduced from 56% in HFD group to 20% in group D (p < 0.05). Vinegar caused a significant increase in serum testosterone, improvement in sperm parameters and a reduced germ cell apoptosis (p < 0.05). There was an insignificant increase in TAC levels in the serum and homogenate tissue of liver and testis compared with HFD. This study reports apple vinegar has beneficial effects on male rat fertility indices in an in vivo model of NAFLD.

Background: Physical activity and alteration of temperature as a source of stress may have adverse effects on male reproduction. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic swimming and standing in cold, warm and lukewarm water on mouse spermatogenesis. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine male mice (N = 49) were randomly divided into seven groups: C, control; SwC, swimming in cold water (10°C); StC, standing in cold water (10°C); SwL, swimming in lukewarm water (23°C); StL, standing in lukewarm water (23°C); SwW, swimming in warm water (36°C); StW, standing in warm water (36°C). Animals in swimming groups were submitted to daily forced swimming for five minutes for five consecutive days/week during five weeks. However groups StC, StL and StW were only standing on a raised platform inside the water pool, without swimming, for the same time and duration. Evaluations on day 36 were made using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Johnsen score and immunohistochemistry for assay of serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, quality of spermatogenesis and detection of apoptosis, respectively. Results: Serum LH and testosterone levels as well as Johnsen score were significantly reduced in all groups except for the group standing in lukewarm water (P < 0.05). Apoptosis was increased only in the swimming or standing in warm water groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study indicates that forced swimming and standing in all water temperatures has adverse effects on male fertility parameters, the only exception is standing in lukewarm water, which seems to be safe for male fertility parameters.

Smoking is associated with higher infertility risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate protective effects of melatonin on the uterus and oviduct in mice exposed to nicotine. Adult female mice (n=32) were divided into four groups. Group A: control animals received normal saline, Group B: injected with nicotine 40 μg/kg, Group C: injected with melatonin 10 μg, Group D: injected with nicotine 40 μg/kg and melatonin 10 μg. All animals were treated over 15 days intraperitoneally. On the 16th day, animals in the estrus phase were dissected and their uterus and oviducts were removed. Immunohistochemistry was recruited for studying apoptosis and for detection of estrogen receptor (ER) alpha in luminal epithelium of the uterus and oviduct. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for serum estradiol level determination. Nicotine in group B decreased estradiol level and ERalpha numbers both in the uterus and oviduct (p

Cardiac preconditioning represents the most potent and consistently reproducible method of rescuing heart tissue from undergoing irreversible ischemic damage. One of the major goals of the current cardiovascular research is to identify a reliable cardioprotective intervention that can salvage ischemic myocardium. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the oxytocin (OT)-induced cardioprotection and the signaling pathway involved with mitochondrial ATP-dependent potassium (mitoKATP) channel in the anesthetized rat heart. Animals were divided into six groups ( n = 6): (1) IR; hearts were subjected to 25 min ischemia and 120 min reperfusion, (2) OT; oxytocin was administered (0.03 μg/kg i.p.) 25 min prior to ischemia, (3) ATO+OT; atosiban (ATO) was used as an OT-selective receptor antagonist (1.5 μg/kg i.p.) 10 min prior to OT administration, (4) ATO; atosiban was used 35 min prior to ischemia, (5) 5HD + OT; 5-hydroxydecanoic acid (5HD) was used as a specific inhibitor of mitoKATP channel (10 mg/kg i.v.) 10 min prior to OT administration, (6) 5HD; 5HD was used 35 min prior to ischemia. Then infarct size, ventricular arrhythmia and creatine kinase-MB isoenzyme (CK-MB) plasma level were measured. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded throughout the experiment. OT administration significantly decreased infarct size, CK-MB plasma level, severity and incidence of ventricular arrhythmia as compared to IR group. Administration of atosiban and 5HD abolished the cardiopreconditioning effect of OT. This study demonstrates that cardioprotective effects of OT are mediated through opening the mitoKATP channels.

Background: Physical exercise is known to be a stressor stimulus that leads to reproductive disruption. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of forced swimming on the uterus and ovaries in mice. Materials and Methods: Adult mice (N=24) were divided into the following three groups: A, control; B, swimming in water (10oC); and C, swimming in water (23oC). Swimmers swam for 5 min daily for 5 consecutive days/ wk during 2 wks. An enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine serum estradiol, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone levels. Immunohistochemistry was performed to study apoptotic cells or estrogen receptor (ER) expression in uterine epithelial cells and ovaries. ANOVA was used for statistical analysis. Results: Swimming in both groups reduced the serum FSH and estradiol levels (p