Effects of testosterone replacement on lipid profile, hepatotoxicity, oxidative stress, and cognitive performance in castrated wistar rats.

OBJECTIVE: Androgen deficiency is associated with multiple biochemical and behavioral disorders. This study investigated the effects of testosterone replacement and Spirulina Platensis association on testosterone deficiency-induced metabolic disorders and memory impairment. METHODS: Adult male rats were randomly and equally divided into four groups and received the following treatments for 20 consecutive days. CONTROL GROUP: non-castrated rats received distilled water. Castrated group received distilled water. Testosterone treated group: castrated rats received 0.20 mg of testosterone dissolved in corn oil by subcutaneous injection (i.p.). Spirulina co-treated group: castrated rats received 0.20 mg of testosterone (i.p.) dissolved in corn oil followed by 1000 mg/kg of Spirulina per os. RESULTS: Data showed that castration induced an increase in plasma ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase (PAL), cholesterol, and triglycerides level. Castrated rats showed a great elevation in SOD and CAT activities and MDA and H2O2 levels in the prostate, seminal vesicles, and brain. Testosterone deficiency was also associated with alteration of the spatial memory and exploratory behaviour. Testosterone replacement either alone or with Spirulina combination efficiently improved most of these biochemical parameters and ameliorated cognitive abilities in castrated rats. CONCLUSIONS: Testosterone replacement either alone or in combination with Spirulina improved castration-induced metabolic, oxidative, and cognitive alterations.

Static magnetic field exposure-induced oxidative response and caspase-independent apoptosis in rat liver: effect of selenium and vitamin E supplementations.

In the present study, we investigated the implication of oxidative stress and apoptosis under static magnetic field (SMF) in the brain and liver. Moreover, we estimated the protective role of selenium and vitamin E in rat tissues against disorders induced by SMF. Exposure of rats to SMF (128 mT, 1 h/day during five consecutive days) increased the activity of catalase (CAT) (+24 %) in the liver but not in the brain. By contrast, the same treatment failed to alter malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the brain and liver. Exposure to SMF also induced hepatocyte apoptosis through a caspase-independent pathway involving mitochondrial apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) but not in the brain. Selenium and vitamin E supplementations to SMF-exposed rats restored liver CAT activity but failed to minimize liver apoptosis.

Does static magnetic field-exposure induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in rat kidney and muscle? Effect of vitamin E and selenium supplementations.

Static magnetic fields (SMFs) effect observed with radical pair recombination is one of the well-known mechanisms by which SMFs interact with biological systems. Our aim was to study whether SMF induces oxidative stress and apoptosis in rat tissues and to evaluate the possible protector effect of selenium (Se) and vitamin E (vit E) supplementations. Rats were randomly divided into control, SMF-exposed, Se-treated, vit E-treated, SMF exposed rats and co-treated with Se, and SMF exposed rats and co-treated with vit E. After animal sacrifice, catalase (CAT) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration were measured and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) immunohistochemical labeling was performed in kidney and muscle. Exposure of rats to SMF (128 mT, 1 h/day for 5 days) increased the MDA concentrations (+25%) and CAT activities (+34%) in kidney but not in muscle. By contrast, the same treatment failed to induce a caspase-independent pathway apoptosis in both tissues. Interestingly, Se pre-treatment inhibited the increase of MDA concentrations and CAT activities in kidney in SMF-exposed rats. However, vit E administration corrected only MDA levels in rat kidney. In conclusion, exposure to SMF induced oxidative stress in kidney that can be prevented by treatment with Se or vit E.

Vitamin D supplementation ameliorates hypoinsulinemia and hyperglycemia in static magnetic field-exposed rat.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on glucose and lipid metabolism in static magnetic field (SMF)-exposed rats. Rats exposed to SMF (128 mT; 1 h/day) during 5 consecutive days showed an increase in plasma glucose level and a decrease in plasma insulin concentration. By contrast, the same treatment failed to alter body weight and plasmatic total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels. Interestingly, supplementation with vitamin D (1,600 IU/100 g, per os) corrected and restored glycemia and insulinemia in SMF-exposed rats. The same treatment had no effects on lipid metabolism.

Vitamin E prevents glucose metabolism alterations induced by static magnetic field in rats.

In the present study, we investigate the effects of a possible protective role of vitamin E (vit E) or selenium (Se) on glucose metabolism disruption induced by static magnetic field (SMF) in rats. Rats have been exposed to SMF (128 mT, 1 h/day during 5 days). Our results showed that SMF failed to alter body weight and relative liver weight. Our data demonstrated that exposure to SMF increased (+21 %) blood glucose level and caused a decrease (-15 %) in liver glycogen content. Moreover, the same treatment induced a reduction of pancreatic islet area. Interestingly, supplementation with vit E (DL α-tocopherol acetate, 150 mg/kg per os during 5 days) prevented alterations induced by SMF on glucose metabolism and liver glycogen content, whereas supplementation with Se (Na2SeO3, 0.20 mg/l, in drinking water for 4 weeks) restored only hepatic glycogen contents. By contrast, both vit E and Se failed to correct the area of pancreatic islets.

Vitamins and glucose metabolism: The role of static magnetic fields.

PURPOSE: This review focuses on our own data and other data from the literature of static magnetic fields (SMF) bioeffects and vitamins and glucose metabolism. Three main areas of investigation have been covered: Static magnetic field and glucose metabolism, static magnetic field and vitamins and the role of vitamins on glucose metabolism. CONCLUSION: Considering these articles comprehensively, the conclusions are as follows: The primary cause of changes in cells after incubation in external SMF is disruption of free radical metabolism and elevation of their concentration. Such disruption causes oxidative stress leading to an unsteadiness of glucose level and insulin release. Moreover, based on available data, it was concluded that exposure to SMF alters plasma levels of vitamin A, C, D and E; these parameters can take part in disorder of glucose homeostasis and insulin release.

Bioeffects of static magnetic fields: oxidative stress, genotoxic effects, and cancer studies.

The interaction of static magnetic fields (SMFs) with living organisms is a rapidly growing field of investigation. The magnetic fields (MFs) effect observed with radical pair recombination is one of the well-known mechanisms by which MFs interact with biological systems. Exposure to SMF can increase the activity, concentration, and life time of paramagnetic free radicals, which might cause oxidative stress, genetic mutation, and/or apoptosis. Current evidence suggests that cell proliferation can be influenced by a treatment with both SMFs and anticancer drugs. It has been recently found that SMFs can enhance the anticancer effect of chemotherapeutic drugs; this may provide a new strategy for cancer therapy. This review focuses on our own data and other data from the literature of SMFs bioeffects. Three main areas of investigation have been covered: free radical generation and oxidative stress, apoptosis and genotoxicity, and cancer. After an introduction on SMF classification and medical applications, the basic phenomena to understand the bioeffects are described. The scientific literature is summarized, integrated, and critically analyzed with the help of authoritative reviews by recognized experts; international safety guidelines are also cited.

Time-dependent effects of exposure to static magnetic field on glucose and lipid metabolism in rat.

In the following study, we investigate the effects of static magnetic field (SMF) (128 mT, 1 h/day during 5 or 15 consecutive days) on anthropometric parameters, glucose and lipid metabolism in rats. Exposure to SMF during 5 days induced a decrease (-8%, p < 0.05) in relative liver weight and serum insulin concentration (-56%, p < 0.001), while blood glucose level was increased (+10%, p < 0.001). By contrast, the same treatment failed to alter body weight, relative kidney weight and levels of lactate, cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids. Exposure to SMF during 15 days induced a decrease (-15 %, p < 0.001) in body weight, liver weight (-15 %, p < 0.05), insulin concentration (-63%, p < 0.001), plasmatic lactate level (-55%, p < 0.05) and increased glucose (+24%, p < 0.001), cholesterol (+30%, p < 0.01,) and phospholipids levels (+58%, p < 0.001), whereas, triglycerides decreased (-28%, p < 0.001). These results showed that SMF effects on glucose and lipid metabolism are time-dependent.