ABSTRACT
Aims: In the present study the toxic effects of lead was investigated experimentally on the testicular macrophages and sperm cells isolated from testes of adult male mice to ascertain the extent of immunomodulation and reproductive dysfunctions (in-vivo). Study Design: Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biotechnology, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India, between March 2013 and August 2014. Methodology: Dose response study was carried out with an increasing concentration of lead acetate. Percent mortality was determined for these doses and plotted graphically against the respective doses. From the graphs, LD50 value was determined. To validate immunomodulation of testicular macrophages and reproductive dysfunction due to lead intoxication, mice were divided into two groups. One group is treated with lead acetate (10 mg/kg body weight) and the other group with isotonic saline solution for 15 days. The isolated testicular macrophages were used to study the phagocytic property, alteration of enzyme release, cytokine release assay and the sperm cell were used for studying the sperm parameters in both control and treated group. Results: From the study significant decrease in phagocytic index (25516.61±1352.69 to 5154.67±437.37), myeloperoxidase release (77.3±10.7μM to 23.6±4.9μM), nitric oxide release (9.2±1.13 to 4.7±1.69) and a concomitant rise in the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α were observed. These leads to an increased oxidative stress and inflammatory damage in the testes and subsequently less sperm count (78±1.155 to 24.33±1.764), sperm motility and abnormal sperm morphology was documented. Conclusion: Thus it could be concluded that the toxic potential of lead diminished the functional capacities of testicular macrophages, led to immunomodulation and inflammatory damage in testes and thus impede the sperm function parameters, which bear particular significance in heavy metal induced immune infertility in male.
ABSTRACT
Aims: The present study investigates in a mouse model the extent of immunomodulatory effects after exposure to cadmium chloride (in vivo) in the testes. Study Design: Experimental study. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biotechnology, Assam University, Silchar, Assam, India; between may 2010 and march 2012. Methodology: LD50 was determined and the percent mortality of mice was plotted against their respective decreasing levels of cadmium chloride. To elucidate the immunomodulatory effects of cadmium chloride, Swiss albino mice were divided into two groups: the 1st group was intraperitonially injected with cadmium chloride (0.35 mg/kg b.w.) and the 2nd group with isotonic saline solution for 15 days. The isolated testicular macrophages were used to determine the morphological alteration as well as cell function studies such as phagocytosis, intracellular killing capacity, myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide release and TNF-α release assay from cadmium chloride -treated and control group of adult male Swiss albino mice. Results: The present work shows that cadmium chloride is responsible for a significant alteration in morphology from 22.2 ± 0.05% to 60.1 ± 1.19% (P**), degenerative changes in scanning electron microscopy and reduced cell function such as phagocytosis (from 21000 ± 577.35 to 7100 ± 115.47; P**), myeloperoxidase release (from 46.8 ± 0.872 μM to 30.23 ± 1.041 μM; P*), nitric oxide release (from 11 ± 1.53 to 5 ± 1.2; P*) and the intracellular killing capacity was also reduced significantly (P**) in testicular macrophages probably by increasing oxidative damage. It also shows that TNF-α increases with cadmium chloride treatment (from 164 ± 4.62 to 235 ± 5.2; P*). Conclusion: Thus it can be concluded that the toxic potential of cadmium chloride causes morphological changes as well as alterations in cell function in macrophages, rendering the animals more prone to infection, all of which may bear particular significance in heavy metal induced infertility.
ABSTRACT
The suppression of immune system leads to the development of several chronic illnesses; in replying to this the available allopathic system of medicine is provided with limited tools for treatment and prevention. In this context, the present investigation focuses on immunostimulant properties of an aqueous extract of Tinospora cordifolia in splenic macrophages isolated from carbon tetrachloride induced immunosuppressive mice. Our results suggested that carbon tetra chloride intoxication (0.5ml/Kg body weight) significantly altered the functional status like morphology, cell adhesion, phagocytosis, myeloperoxidase (MPO) release, nitric oxide (NO) release, DNA fragmentation and killing capacity of splenic macrophages. However administration of aqueous fraction of Tinospora cordifolia stem parts at a dose of 40 mg/kg body weight (in vivo) in CCl4 intoxicated male albino mice ameliorated the effect of CCl4, as was evident from the scanning electron micrographs, percentage of morphologically altered macrophages, phagocytosis activity, cell adhesion, MPO release, NO release, DNA fragmentation and intracellular killing capacity. Thus, it has been coclude that bioactive compounds presents in polar fractions of Tinospora cordifolia were accountable for boosting the immune system.
ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate the hepatoprotective and immunotherapeutic effects of aqueous extract of turmeric rhizome in CCl4 intoxicated Swiss albino mice. Methods: First group of mice (n=5) received CCl4 treatment at a dose of 0.5 mL/kg bw (i.p.) for 7 days. Second group was fed orally the aqueous extract of turmeric at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw for 15 days. The third group was given both the turmeric extract (for 15 days, orally) and CCl4 (for last 7 days, i.p.). The fourth group was kept as a control. To study the liver function, the transaminase enzymes (SGOT and SGPT) and bilirubin level were measured in the serum of respective groups. For assaying the immunotherapeutic action of Curcuma longa (C. longa), non specific host response parameters like morphological alteration, phagocytosis, nitric oxide release, myeloperoxidase release and intracellular killing capacity of peritoneal macrophages were studied from the respective groups. Results: The result of present study suggested that CCl4 administration increased the level of SGOT and SGPT and bilirubin level in serum. However, the aqueous extract of turmeric reduced the level of SGOT, SGPT and bilirubin in CCl4 intoxicated mice. Apart from damaging the liver system, CCl4 also reduced non specific host response parameters like morphological alteration, phagocytosis, nitric oxide release, myeloperoxidase release and intracellular killing capacity of peritoneal macrophages. Administration of aqueous extract of C. longa offered significant protection from these damaging actions of CCl4 on the non specific host response in the peritoneal macrophages of CCl4 intoxicated mice. Conclusions: In conclusion, the present study suggests that C. longa has immunotherapeutic properties along with its ability to ameliorate hepatotoxicity.