Lipid peroxidation and its role in the expression of NLRP1a and NLRP3 genes in testicular tissue of male rats: a model of spinal cord injury

Background: The majority of male patients with spinal cord injury [SCI] suffer from infertility. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptors NOD-like receptors [NLRs] are a kind of receptors that corporate in the inflammasome complex. Recent studies have introduced the inflammasome as the responsible agent for secreting cytokines in semen. Reactive oxygen species [ROS] is one of the elements that trigger inflammasome activation. Genital infections in SCI can lead to ROS generation. We investigated the relation between lipid peroxidation and inflammasome complex activity in testicular tissue of SCI rats

Methods: Adult male rats [n=20], weighting 200- 250 g, were included and divided into four groups: three experimental groups, including SCI1, SCI3, and SCI7, i.e. the rats were subjected to SCI procedure and sacrificed after one, three, and seven days, respectively and a control group. We performed a moderate, midline spinal contusion injury at thoracic level 10. The animals were anesthetized, and testes were collected for measurement of gene expression by real-time PCR. Caudal parts of epididymis were collected for malondialdehyde [MDA] measurement

Results: No NLRP1a mRNA overexpression was seen in the testes of control and SCI groups. After seven days from SCI surgery, NLRP3 mRNA expression was significantly increased in SCI7 animals [p

Conclusion: NLRP3 overexpression occurs due to the increased ROS production in testis tissue of SCI rats

Testosterone reduces spinal cord injury-induced effects on male reproduction by preventing CADM1 defect

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of exogenous testosterone molecule-1 [CADM1] pathological defect during early and chronic periods of spinal cord injury [SCI]

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, testosterone was administered immediately or after one week of SCI induction. Along with quantification of CADM1 gene expression and its immunoreactivity, we evaluated sperm parameters and serum testosterone level post-SCI

Results: Different grades of abnormalities in sperm parameters and testis architecture were observed along with significant reductions in the level of CADM1 expression and its immunoreactivity in the seminiferous tubules of both acute and chronic SCI groups. Exogenous testosterone, by compensating the serum testosterone level. reduced the percentage of apoptotic and both short head and abnormal sperm froms in the caudal epididymis. Importantly, the beneficial effects of immediate administration of testosterone were prominent. Increases in the level of CADM1 transcription and its immunoreactivity in the testis of SCI mice treated with testosterone were accompanied by improvement of sperm motility as well as testicular Johnsen's and Miller's criteria

Conclusion: Since immediate testosterone treatment improved the immunoreactivity and transcription level of CADM1, the observed beneficial effect of exogenouse testosterone can be attributed to its effect on CADM1 dynamics

Flaxseed can reduce hypoxia-induced damages in rat testes

Background: Hypoxia causes detrimental effects on the structure and function of tissues through increased production of reactive oxygen species that are generated during the re-oxygenation phase of intermittent and continuous hypobaric hypoxia. This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of flaxseed [Fx] in reducing the incidence of hypoxia in rat testes

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: i. Control group [Co] that received normal levels of oxygen and food, ii. Sham group [Sh] that were placed in hypoxia chamber but received normal oxygen and food, iii. Hypoxia induction group [Hx] that were placed in hypoxia chamber and treated with normal food, iv. Hypoxia induction group [Hx+Fx] that were placed in hypoxia chamber and treated with 10% flaxseed food. Both the Hx and Hx+Fx groups were kept in a hypoxic chamber for 30 days; during this period rats were exposed to reduced pressure [oxygen 8% and nitrogen 92%] for 4 hours/day. Then, all animal were sacrificed and their testes were removed. Malondialdehyde [MDA] and total antioxidant capacity [TAC] levels were evaluated in the testis tissue. Tubular damages were examined using histological studies. Blood samples and sperm were collected to assess IL-18 level and measure sperms parameters, respectively. All data were analyzed using SPPSS-22 software. One way-ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests were performed for statistical analysis

Results: A significant difference was recorded in the testicular mass/body weight ratio in Hx and Hx+Fx groups in comparison to the control [P=0.003 and 0.027, respectively] and Sh [P=0.001 and 0.009, respectively] groups. The sperm count and motility in Hx+Fx group were significantly different from those of the Hx group [P=0.0001 and 0.028, respectively]. Also sperm viability [P=0.0001] and abnormality [P=0.0001] in Hx+Fx group were significantly different from Hx group

Conclusion: This study therefore suggests that the oral administration of flaxseed can be useful for prevention from the detrimental effects of hypoxia on rat testes structure and sperm parameters

effects of testosterone on oxidative stress markers in mice with spinal cord injuries

Background: Spinal cord injury [SCI] causes infertility in male patients through erectile dys-function, ejaculatory dysfunction, semen and hormone abnormalities. Oxidative stress [OS] is involved in poor semen quality and subsequent infertility in males with SCI. The aim of this study is to examine the effects of SCI on the level of testosterone hormone

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, we evaluated the effects of exogenous testosterone on the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathione peroxidase [GPx] as well as the levels of malondialdehyde [MDA] and protein carbonylation [PCO], as markers of OS, in 10 groups of SCI mice. Total antioxidant capacity [TAC] was determined using the 2,29-azinobis-[3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid] [ABTS] radical cation assay

Results: Exogenous testosterone administration in mice with SCI significantly reduced SOD and GPx enzyme activities and MDA level. There was no significant decrease in PCO content. In addition, TAC remarkably increased in the sham and SCI groups not treated with testosterone but remained unchanged in all other experimental groups. Exogenous testosterone also reduced serum testosterone levels in all groups except the positive control group

Conclusion: Our cumulative data indicated that SCI could cause sterility by disturbing the plasmatic testosterone balance. The normal level of endogenous testosterone was not completely restored by exogenous testosterone administration

Retinoic acid as the stimulating factor for differentiation of wharton's jelly-mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocyte-like cells

Wharton's Jelly-Mesenchymal Stem Cells [WJ-MSCs] are pluripotent cells with differentiation capability into most cell lineages. The aim of the current work was to examine the role of Retinoic Acid [RA] in differentiation process of these cells into hepatocyte-like cells and determine the morphological and functional patterns. Human WJ-MSCs were extracted, cultured and expanded; after approximately 95% of confluence, the cells were treated with hepatogenic media containing RA. The cells were subsequently analyzed for morphological changes, glycogen storage, albumin production, and specific gene expression. WJ-MSCs expressed high levels of CD90 [93.6%] and CD105 [90.7%], but low levels of CD34 [0.3%] and CD45 [0.8%]. Albumin production had significant difference in the two groups [p

Anthropometric study of nasal parameters in Iranian university students

Introduction: Nose morphology depends on gender, ethnicity, and environmental conditions. It can be used in identification of the race and sex of persons whose identity is unknown. Nasal index is a useful tool in anthropometry

Methods: In this study, nasal parameters of Iranian males and females students were measured [nasal height, nasal width, and nasal index]. This study was conducted on 200 medical students of Tehran University, Tehran, Iran. Subjects were 100 males and 100 females, aged 18-30 years. The nasal height and width were measured by a sliding vernier calliper and the nasal index was accordingly calculated

Results: Our data showed that the mean nasal index for males and females were 68.91 +/- 8.11 and 66.05 +/- 7.53, respectively. So, nose of Iranian people is leptorrhine type. The mean nasal index in males was significantly [P and le,0.05] higher than that in females

Conclusion: The result of this study could be employed in the detection of gender in forensic medicine and rhinoplasty surgery

Study of cytomegalovirus infection in idiopathic infertility men referred to Shariati hospital, Tehran, Iran

Cytomegalovirus [CMV] is a prevalent infection in humans. Recent studies have shown the role of CMV infection in male infertility disorder. Here we aimed to study the role of CMV infection in men with idiopathic infertility. We performed a case-control study of CMV serology in 200 patients attending male infertility clinic of a university hospital. There were 154 men diagnosed with infertility and 46 men without infertility. The patients were asked to donate their sperm, blood, and urine. The presence of CMV infection was studied using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. CMV infection was present in 25 of all the studied participants. Controls had a higher sperm count and sperm motility and sperm morphology compared to patients. There were no significant differences in the studied variables between those with and without CMV infection, nor in patients, neither in controls. Sperm morphology was negatively correlated with cigarette smoking [r=-0.15; p<0.03]. Even though the prevalence of CMV infection was higher in patients with infertility in control and patient [5/46 vs. 20/154] respectively, this was not statistically significant. We did not show a significant role for CMV infection in male infertility. Based on the previous studies, it could be assumed that CMV infection is an important part of the male infertility and its treatment would improve the sperm quality, however this was not confirmed by the present study

Anthropometric characteristics of craniums in residents of Qazvin, Iran and Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan: a comparative study

The purpose of present study is to compare anthropometric characteristics of the adult cranium between Iranian and Pakistani residents in two specific areas where people have special characteristics in the features of their heads and faces. This cross-sectional investigation was performed on 300 adult inhabitants of Qazvin, Iran and 356 residents of Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan. Participants were selected randomly and did not have any physical deformities or any previous history of trauma. Measurements were performed in an anatomical position on the cephalic length, cephalic breadth, and auricular height. Cephalic length, cephalic breadth and auricular height in females from Qazvin were significantly higher than those of DG Khan [p<0.05]. According to the findings, 82% of males and 58% of females from Qazvin were megacephalic while 25% of males and only 1% of females of DG Khan were megacephalic. The prominent cranium from in males from DG Khan was mesocephaly [41%], whereas it was microcephaly [85%] in females from DG Khan. The mean cephalic index was as follows: Qazvin males [88.19 +/- 5.78] and females [86.54 +/- 3.23]; DG Khan males [84.11 +/- 3.7] and females [85.27 +/- 6.09]. For DG Khan residents, the cranial capacity was 1348.4 +/- 122 cm[3] for males and 1189.3 +/- 180.5 cm[3] for females. At the same time, the brain weight was 1395.5 +/- 126.2 g in males and 1230.9 +/- 186.8 g in females. This study shows the existence of differences in cranium dimensions between residents of Qazvin, Iran and DG Khan, Pakistan as well as in different regions of each country

[Neurotrophic effect of tacrolimus on pyramidal cells of CA1 region of hippocampus following transient global ischemia/reperfusion in male wistar rat]

Cerebral ischemia is known as a major problem in the world. Reperfusion following the ischemia ultimately leads to programmed cell death or apoptosis. Specific regions of the brain and certain types of neurons are more susceptible to cerebral ischemia, such as pyramidal neurons of CA1 region of hippocampus. Recently, using of immunophilin ligands has been considered to be a potential and appropriate strategy for neuroprotective and neurogenitor activity. Up to now, the right time of injection for providing the suitable effect on pyramidal cells of CA1 has not been assessed precisely. In this study, the neurotrophic effects of tacrolimus on CA1 cells were studied on 40 male Wistar rats in 8 experimental groups. Ischemia model was induced by ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries. For detecting the most appropriate time for 6mg/kg, Injection was done via single and double doses with intervals of 6, 24, 48 and hours. The repeated doses of 6mg/kg with interval of 48 hours are the suitable dose and time of injection. It seems that tacrolimus can be an appropriate strategy as a neurotrophic drug for treating brain ischemia

Effects of lithium on peripheral neuropathy induced by vincristine in rats

Vincristine [VCR] as a frequently used antimitotic agent which is commonly prescribed for wide spectrum of neoplasm, causes mixed sensorimotor neuropathy. Several evidences show lithium could be a neuroprotective agent, therefore to assess whether a pretreatment and at subtherapeutic dose it could prevent the peripheral neuropathy produced by VCR, rats were treated with VCR 0.1mg/kg i.p. for 3 alternative doses and / or lithium chloride [20mg/kg or 40 mg/kg i.p. daily from the first day to the day of sacrifice]. Erythrocyte lithium concentration [ELC] and plasma lithium concentration [PLC] were measured at the seventh day of study and the day of scarification. After seventh day of lithium administration, PLC and ELC reached to a steady state at subtherapeutic dose and they did not significantly change at normal housing situation. Hot plate, open field test and nerve conduction velocity were used to evaluate the sensory and motor neuropathy. Only VCR treated rats showed behavioral, electrophysiological and histological evidences of a mixed sensorimotor neuropathy by significant increase in hot plate latencies and a marked decrease in total distance moved and conduction velocities in both sensory and motor nerves. Lithium at the dose of 20mg/kg and specially 40mg/kg robustly reduced the rate of mortality, general toxicity and was able to ameliorate mixed sensorimotor neuropathy induced by VCR. These results suggest that lithium at dose of 20mg/kg and 40 mg/kg, potentially by its effects on cell survival pathways such as inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3 [GSK3beta], can prevent both motor and sensory components of VCR neuropathy

Medical students' viewpoint regarding the integrated module of basal ganglia

Integration is an important educational strategy in medical education. Considering this idea, the goal of the present study was to design and implementation of longitudinal and vertical integrated education of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, neurology and neuropsychiatry subjects of brain's basal ganglia by a multidisciplinary team. Kern's approach to curriculum development was used. Participants were 20 medical students at basic science level who contribute in a 10 stations of pre-test exam at Medical School's Skill Lab. After the implementation of the module by a multidisciplinary team, post-test were done. A structured questionnaire was designed to assess student opinions about adequacy, usefulness of the module using a Likert scale with 5 categories ranging from "completely agreement" to "completely disagreement". The result of pre and post-test were also compared. Twenty questionnaires were completed, giving a 77.63% satisfaction rate. Seventy-five percent of students found it useful and appropriate at basic science level. About fifty percent of students suggested the implementation of this module for other medical students. The score of post-test was significantly [14.52 +/- 0.47 vs 6.32 +/- 0.62, P<0.05] higher than pre-test results. The viewpoints of medical students were positive and they value the module highly. Since it is not easy to change the style we teach, these results suggest necessitate of supporting the faculty member's participation in these modules

Neuroprotective properties of Melissa offtcinalis l. extract against ecstasy-induced neurotoxicity

The aim of the present study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of Melissa officinalis, a major antioxidant plant, against neuron toxicity in hippocampal primary culture induced by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA] or ecstasy, one of the most abused drugs, which causes neurotoxicity. 3-[4,5-dimethyl2 thiazoyl]2,5-diphenyketrazolium bromide [MTT] assay was used to assess mitochondrial activity, reflecting cell survival. Caspase-3 activity assay and Hoechst / propiedium iodide [PI] staining were done to show apoptotic cell death. A high dose of ecstasy caused profound mitochondrial dysfunction, around 40% less than the control value, and increased apoptotic neuronal death to around 35% more than the control value in hippocampal neuronal culture. Co-treatment with Melissa officinalis significantly reversed these damages to around 15% and 20% respectively of the MDMA alone group, and provided protection against MDMA-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in neurons. Melissa officinalis has revealed neuroprotective effects against apoptosis induced by MDMA in the primary neurons of hippocampal culture, which could be due to its free radical scavenging properties and monoamine oxidase [MAO] inhibitory effects

Differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells into schwann cell phenotype in comparison with bone marrow stem cells

Bone marrow is the traditional source of human multipotent mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs], but adipose tissue appears to be an alternative and more readily available source. In this study, rat adipose-derived stem cells [ADSCs] were induced to differentiate into Schwann-like cells and compared with rat bone marrow stem cells [BMSCs] for their Schwann-like cells differentiation potential. BMSCs and ADSCs were characterized for expression of MSCs-specific markers, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. They were induced to differentiate into Schwann-like cells and analyzed for expression of the Schwann specific markers. The immunocytochemical differentiation markers were S-100 and real time quantitative Real-time polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] markers were S100, P75 and glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]. 3-[4, 5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide [MTT] assay and Annexin V-Fluorescein isothiocyanate [FITC]/ Propidium iodide [PI] double labeling method were employed to detect early stage cell apoptosis. BMSCs and ADSCs showed similarities in expression of the MSC-specific markers, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Both quantitative RT-PCR and immunocytochemical analysis demonstrated that BMSCs and ADSCs had equal expression of the Schwann-specific markers following Schwann-like cells differentiation. However, gene expression of P75 was higher in BMSCs compared with ADSCs. MTT assay and flow cytometry found that of the total BMSCs and ADSCs in the culture medium, 20% to 30% of the cells died, but the remaining cell population remained strongly attached to the substrate and differentiated. Comparative analysis showed that Schwann-like cell differentiation potential of ADSCs was slightly decreased in comparison with BMSCs. Therefore, BMSCs are more favorable choice than ADSCs for tissue engineering

Effect of protein malnutrition on efferent projections of amygdala to the hippocampus

Previous investigations have shown that protein malnutrition can alters the structure and function of some areas of hippocampal formation. We investigated the effect of protein malnutrition on amygdaloid projections to the CA 1 hippocampal area. In this study we investigated level and pattern of distribution of efferent projections from arnygdala to hippocampus in the rat by Horseradish Peroxidas [HRP] neural tract tracing in 2 groups; Control group fed with regular diet [%18 proteins]and case group fed with low protein diet [%8]. We used SPSS 11.0 [T test and mann-withney] Software for data analysis. Following injection of HRP to CA 1 region of hippocampus in the control group Rats, Labelled neurons showed more density in the Basolateral, Cortical and Medial nuclear Groups. Having done the analysis and examining the relations between the case data and those of the control groups, we found that number of labelled neurons in the Basolateral, Cortical and medial nuclei were decreased in the case group[p<0.05]. Our findings showed that different nuclei of amygdala [Basolateral, Cortical and Medial] send projections to CA 1 region of hippocampus; Among, them basolateral nuclei group send the most projections. This results may be caused by decrease of activity of neural cells after protein malnutrition, that can results in impairment in growth and development of nervous system. Also it is possible that axoplasmic transfer rate maybe decreased in this condition