Effect of L-carnitine on the expression of the apoptotic genes Bcl-2 and Bax / 대한생식의학회지

Methods@#Thirty adult BALB/c mice were categorized into three groups. The mice in the control group (n=10) were not injected with any substance. The mice in the second group (n=10) received 10 mg/kg of formalin daily via an intraperitoneal injection, while those in the final group (n=10) were intraperitoneally injected daily with a dose of 10 mg/kg of formalin and 100 mg/kg of L-carnitine. All mice were kept in isolated cages for 31 days. @*Results@#The expression of Bax was significantly higher in the formalin-treated mice than in the mice of the control group, while the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly lower in the formalin-treated mice than in the control mice. Additionally, relative to control mice, Bcl-2 expression increased and Bax expression decreased in the mice administered both formalin and L-carnitine. @*Conclusion@#In this study, L-carnitine was shown to augment Bcl-2 expression and to reduce Bax expression, indicating that this compound may inhibit apoptosis. Due to its positive effects, L-carnitine can be used as a prophylactic treatment for people who routinely come into direct contact with formalin as an occupational hazard.

Comparing the roles of sperm chromatin integrity and apoptosis in intrauterine insemination outcomes of couples with mild male and female factor infertility

Intrauterine insemination [IUI] is one of the therapeutic approaches for infertility. The objective of this study was to evaluate DNA integrity and apoptosis role in success of IUI in both mild male and female factor infertility. Patients were divided into two groups: M [mild male factor; n=29] and F [female factor; n=31] undergoing single IUI. Ejaculates were analyzed and chromatin quality was assessed using chromomycin A3 [CMA3] staining. In addition, spermatozoal apoptosis was recognized using TUNEL assay. Statistical analyses were done using t-test and Mann Whitney test for sperm apoptosis and sperm chromatin by SPSS. Data were expressed in mean +/- SD for variables. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Sperm concentration and progressive motility were higher in F than M group. Sperm with normal morphology were statistically similar in M and F infertile patients [32.7 +/- 15.6% vs. 35.5 +/- 9.07%, p=0.39]. Sperm chromatin immaturity was higher in patients with mild male infertility, when compared with the other group [p<0.01]. Also, 32.0 +/- 5.6% and 30.8 +/- 6.1% of the spermatozoa showed signs of apoptosis in groups M and F, respectively [p=0.49]. Very low [3.4%] clinical pregnancy rates were noticed in patients with mild male factor infertility. Defect in sperm motility as well as high rates of DNA damage and apoptosis may be involved with very low rate of pregnancy outcomes in patients with mild male factor infertility. Therefore, it seems the application of IUI may have better outcomes in patients with female infertility compared to mild male factor infertility

Effects of acrylamide on sperm parameters, chromatin quality, and the level of blood testosterone in mice

Acrylamide [AA] is an important industrial chemical primarily. AA is also found in carbohydrate-rich foods that are prepared at high temperatures, such as French fries and potato chips. It is demonstrated that AA is a carcinogen and reproductive toxin and has ability to induce sperm damage. The aim of this study was to observe the effects of AA on sperm parameters and evaluation of sperm chromatin quality and testosterone hormone in mice. Totally, 16 adult male mice were divided into two groups. Mice of group A fed on basal diet; group B received basal diet and AA [10 mg/kg, water solution] for 35 days. The right cauda epididymis was incised and then placed in Ham's F10 culture media at 37°C for 15 min. Released spermatozoa were used to analyze count, motility, morphology and viability. To determine the sperm DNA integrity and chromatin condensation, the cytochemical techniques including Aniline blue, Acridine orange and Chromomycin A3 staining were used. AA-treated mice had poor parameters in comparison with control animals. In sperm chromatin assessments, except TB [p=0.16], significant differences were found in all of the tests between two groups. It was also seen a significant decrease in concentration of blood testosterone in AA-treated animals when compared to controls [p<0.001]. According to our results, AA can affect sperm parameters as well as sperm chromatin condensation and DNA integrity in mice. These abnormalities may be related to the reduction in blood testosterone

Congenital abnormality effect of methamphetamine on histological, cellular and chromosomal defects in fetal mice

Background: methamphetamine [MA] is a potent psychomotor stimulant with high abuse and addictive potential. MA is a neurotoxic drug which is widely abused by females of childbearing age, raising serious public health concerns in terms of exposure of the fetus to the drug. Neurotoxic effects of MA on adult are well known, such as dopaminergic nerve terminal degeneration and cell death in regions of brain in some doses

Objective: in the present study, we examined effect of prenatal MA exposure on mouse fetuses

Materials and Methods: in this study, forty 8-12 week-old NMRI female mice were used which were mated with male mice in serial days. When sperm plug was observed it was designated as gestational day [GD] 0. Pregnant mice were individually housed in plastic cages. Pregnant mice were divided into four groups: in first group 10 mg/kg /day MA, in second group 5 mg/kg /day MA and in third group saline were injected subcutaneously from GD 6 to GD 14, corresponding to organogenesis period, while fourth or control group were without injection. On GD 14 fetuses were removed and accomplished chromosome preparation from fetal liver. Then fetal were fixed in formalin for brain hematoxilin and eosine staining and TUNEL assay

Results: we observed morphological abnormality including exencephal fetus in 5mg/kg MA group and premature fetuses in 10 mg/kg MA group. Also brain histological study showed subarachnoid hemorrhage in fetal brain in both experimental groups. Fetal liver karyotyping analysis was normal in fetuses of all groups and TUNEL assay in fetal striatum did not show significant difference in number of apoptotic cells between groups

Conclusion: from our results, it could be concluded that chronic abuse of MA by pregnant females during organogenesis period can cause teratogenic effect and brain hemorrage in fetus

Effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles on viability of human spermatozoa

The extensive use of different nanoparticles has raised great concerns about their occupational and biological safety. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles [ZnO NPs] on viability of spermatozoa. Semen samples were obtained from 15 healthy persons, and were analyzed using WHO guidelines. Each semen sample was separately incubated with different concentrations of ZnO NPs [10, 100, 500, and 1000 micro g/mL] at 37°C for 45, 90, and 180 minutes. Then, the cell death percentage of spermatozoa was measured by MTT assay. Mann-Whitney test was used for comparison of different times and concentrations. The maximum cell death percentage was 20.8%, 21.2%, and 33.2% after 45, 90, and 180 minutes, respectively. In case of concentration, the highest concentration [1000 micro g/mL] of ZnO NPs led to the highest toxicity for all incubation times. Statistically, there were significant differences in cell viability after 180 minutes vs.45 and 90 minutes. This study indicated that cytotoxicity of ZnO NPs is dose and time dependent

[ view points of medical students in yazd university of medical sciences toward horizontal integration teaching method in anatomical sciences courses]

Background and Objective: At present two teaching methods of traditional and integration are used for the theoretical instruction of anatomical sciences including anatomy, histology and embryology. It is thought that the integration teaching method can help Medical students, especially in their clinical course of study. This study was designed to find the attitudes of Medical students of Yazd University of Medical Sciences toward this method in teaching anatomical sciences courses

Methods: This study was done on Medical students who had been educated by the integration method. Data collection was done by using a self administrated questionnaire in four domains of knowledge about the integration program of anatomical sciences courses, facilities of the integration process, order of course presentation and satisfaction of the integration plan. Data were analyzed through SPSS software package

Results: Most of the respondents had moderate familiarity with the integration method and asserted that this method had moderately facilitated their learning process in anatomical sciences courses. According to most participants, the rate of coordination between the organ system was moderate. Students' satisfaction of integration of embryology, histology and anatomy courses was high. In regard to the order of course presentation, participants preferred histology, embryology, anatomy, and physiology order

Conclusion: Attitudes of Medical students toward horizontal integration method of basic sciences courses was moderate and based on the obtained results, it seems that the best presentation order is respectively histology, embryology, anatomy, and physiology?