Ginkgo biloba modulates ET-I/NO signalling in Lead Acetate induced rat model of endothelial dysfunction: Involvement of oxido-inflammatory mediators.

This study investigated the modulatory effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on lead acetate-induced endothelial dysfunction. Animals were administered GBE (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg orally) after exposures to lead acetate (25 mg/kg orally) for 14 days. Aorta was harvested after euthanasia, the tissue was homogenised, and supernatants were decanted after centrifuging. Oxidative, nitrergic, inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic markers were assayed using standard biochemical procedure, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry, respectively. GBE reduced lead-induced oxidative stress by increasing SOD, GSH, and CAT as well as reducing MDA levels in endothelium. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) were reduced while increasing Bcl-2 protein expression. GBE lowered endothelin-I and raised nitrite levels. Histological changes caused by lead acetate were normalised by GBE. Our findings suggest that Ginkgo biloba extract restored endothelin-I and nitric oxide functions by increasing Bcl-2 protein expression and reducing oxido-inflammatory stress in endothelium.

Therapeutic efficacy of N-acetylcysteine and zinc sulphate against di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-induced testicular oxido-nitrergic stress in male Wistar rat.

The therapeutic efficacy of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and zinc sulphate on di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)-induced testicular oxido-nitrergic stress in rats was investigated in 36 male Wistar rats (170 ± 10 g) randomly assigned into one of six groups (n = 6). Group 1 (control) received 2.5 ml/kg of distilled water for 42 days, while group 2 (vehicle) received 2.5 ml/kg of corn oil for 42 days. Groups 3,4,5, and 6 were administered DEHP (750 mg/kg/day) for 21 days, after which groups 4, 5, and 6 received zinc sulphate (0.5 mg/kg/day), NAC (100 mg/kg/day), and zinc sulphate (0.5 mg/kg/day) + NAC (100 mg/kg/day) for an additional 21 days respectively. After the experimental period, the animals were euthanized by light thiopental sodium, and their testes were carefully dissected out for histological and biochemical assays. The result shows a significant alteration in testicular levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, antioxidant enzymes, total antioxidant capacity, sulphydryl levels, dehydrogenases and testicular architecture following the administration of DEHP. These effects were reversed by coadministration of NAC and zinc sulphate in the study. We therefore concluded that the combined effects of NAC and ZnSO4 effectively improved testicular antioxidant status and reduced testicular nitregic stress, thus improving testicular architecture and functions.

Down regulatory response of reproductive potentials in stress-induced rats supplemented with clomifene citrate: The fate of infertility.

This study was designed to physiologically investigate the fate of stress related infertility conditions to focus on the regulatory response of reproductive potentials in stress-induced female Wistar rats supplemented with clomifene citrate. 42 apparently healthy female Wistar rats weighing about 120-160 g were used in the study. The animals were randomly distributed into 3 groups after acclimatization for 2 weeks. Group 1 served as the control pregnant rats not induced by restraint, mirrored and intruder stressors, group 2 consisted of rats treated with 0.013 mg/g of clomifene citrate drug and exposed to three different stressors while group 3 represented pregnant rats exposed to different stressors but not treated with clomifene citrate. At the end of 3weeks, the rats were euthanized via cervical dislocation. The uterus and ovary organs were carefully isolated, weighed and examined for histological changes. The reproductive capacities studied were gestation period, mean pup weight, litter size and survival rate respectively. Data collected is expressed in Mean±SEM and one way ANOVA statistics was used for comparison of means while Fisher's LSD was employed for post hoc test and the level of significance is determined at p-value < 0.05. Results from our study revealed that restraint and intruder stressors following supplementation with clomifene citrate produced similar stress response in the gestation length, pub-weights, litter size and percentage of survival. Stress of different nature altered the histoarchitecture of the ovary and the uteri of rats exposed to restraint or intruder stressor. Meanwhile, Clomifene citrate administration produced effect on ovulation and pregnancy outcome of stressed pregnant rats and the survival ratio of the offspring.