The brain functional connectivity alterations in traumatic patients with olfactory disorder after low-level laser therapy demonstrated by fMRI.

BACKGROUND: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been clinically accepted to accelerate the nerve regeneration process after a nerve injury or transection. We aimed to investigate the neuronal basis and the influence of LLLT on brain functional networks in traumatic patients with olfactory dysfunction. METHODS: Twenty-four Patients with traumatic anosmia/hyposmia were exposed to pleasant olfactory stimuli during a block-designed fMRI session. After a 10-week period, patients as control group and patients who had completed the sessions of LLLT were invited for follow-up testing using the same fMRI protocol. Two-sample t-tests were conducted to explore group differences in activation responding to odorants (p-FDR-corrected <0.05). Differences of functional connectivity were compared between the two groups and the topological features of the olfactory network were calculated. Correlation analysis was performed between graph parameters and TDI score. RESULTS: Compared to controls, laser-treated patients showed increased activation in the cingulate, rectus gyrus, and some parts of the frontal gyrus. Shorter pathlength (p = 0.047) and increased local efficiency (p = 0.043) within the olfactory network, as well as decreased inter-network connectivity within the whole brain were observed in patients after laser surgery. Moreover, higher clustering and local efficiency were related to higher TDI score, as manifested in increased sensitivity to identify odors. CONCLUSIONS: The results support that low-level laser induces neural reorganization process and make new connections in the olfactory structures. Furthermore, the connectivity parameters may serve as potential biomarkers for traumatic anosmia or hyposmia by revealing the underlying neural mechanisms of LLLT.

The Effect of Prosopis farcta and Its Bioactive Luteolin on the Hippocampus of Mice after Induced Ischemia Reperfusion.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia plays an important role in increasing damage to the nervous system. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Prosopis farcta (PFE) and its bioactive luteolin (Lu) and forced swimming exercise on the hippocampus of mice after induced ischemia reperfusion. METHODS: The bioactive component of PFE (Lu) was identified by HPLC. Fifty-six male mice were divided into different groups. Ischemia was induced by ligation of the common carotid artery. After mice training (swimming exercise, 8 weeks) and consuming PFE and Lu, the mice's memory ability was evaluated in the shuttle box. Histological examination was performed by Nissel staining and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Results showed that the ischemic mice exercised and treated with PFE and Lu had higher step-through latency (STL) compared with the nonexercised mice, and this was confirmed with time spent in the dark compartment (TDC). The number of dark cells in the ischemic group exercising and receiving PFE and Lu decreased compared to that of the other groups in the hippocampus. DCX protein expression was increased in nonexercised groups compared to that of the exercised groups and those treated with PFE and Lu, while NeuN decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Forced swimming exercise following ischemia, as well as consumption of PFE and Lu, has reduced cell death and increased neurogenesis in the hippocampus and thus may help improve memory in ischemia.

In vitro effects of melatonin on colonization of neonate mouse spermatogonial stem cells.

We have recently reported that antioxidant supplements enhance the efficacy of cryopreserved spermatogonial stem cells. Melatonin is considered a free radical scavenger which has direct and indirect antioxidant effects in in vitro and in vivo microenvironments. Due to the anti-apoptotic properties of melatonin, researchers have proposed that melatonin may improve the efficiency of spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) transplantation. However, the appropriate methodology which facilitates SSC proliferation remains to be determined. Identification of a proper propagation system is essential for the future application of SSCs in the field of infertility. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of melatonin on the colonization of SSCs. SSCs were isolated from the testes of three to six day old mice, and their purities were assessed by cytometry using Plzf antibody. Isolated testicular cells were cultured in the absence or presence of melatonin extract for two weeks. Suppression of differentiation and maintenance of spermatogonial stem cells was confirmed by alkaline phosphatase staining and immunocytochemistry using Plzf antibody. The number and diameter of the colonies of SSCs were assessed during the 7th and 14th days of culture, and the expression of Id4, Plzf, and C-kit were evaluated using real-time PCR at the end of the culture period. The survival rate of the cultured cells in the presence of melatonin was significantly higher than the control group. The number and diameter of colonies also increased in the cells treated with melatonin. The results of our study suggest that culture of SSCs with 100 µM melatonin supplementation can increase SSCs proliferation significantly.

The effects of curcumin on sperm parameters and nitric oxide production in varicocelized rats / Efectos de la cúrcuma sobre los parámetros espermáticos y producción de óxido nítrico en ratas varicocelizadas

One of the proposed mechanism by which varicocele induces its damage is excessive release of nitric oxide (NO). Several studies have shown the role of NO in poor sperm quality in infertile patients with varicocele. Scientific studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of curcumin on the sperm parameters. Curcumin as an atoxic antioxidant can reduce production of NO. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of curcumin on NO levels and investigate if curcumin can improve sperm parameters in varicocelized male rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (V1 and V2 (varicocele), T (treatment), Sh (sham) and C was control). In groups V1, V2, T and Sh, the left renal vein was partially ligated to induce varicocele. In groups V1 and V2, sperm parameters and NO level were evaluated 8 and 16 weeks respectively after varicocele induction. Groups T and Sh received 100 mg/kg curcumin and placebo respectively, daily for 8 weeks after 2 months of induced varicocele. Sperm parameters (count, motility, viability and morphology), epididymis and testis weight and also NO concentration were measured. Sperm parameters (count, motility and viability) in groups V1, V2 and Sh were significantly low in comparison with control and treatment groups. The level of NO was significantly increased in serum of rats in groups V1 and V2, whereas group T rat serum in which curcumin was administered, showed decreased NO levels. The values of the epididymis and testis weight had no significant changes (P 0.05) in all groups. Administration of curcumin as a free radical scavenger, can decrease NO level and improve sperm parameters in varicocelized male rats.

Uno de los mecanismos propuestos por el cual los varicoceles inducen daño es la excesiva liberación de óxido nítrico (ON). Varios estudios han demostrado el efecto del ON en la mala calidad del semen en pacientes infértiles con varicocele. Investigaciones han demostrado los efectos beneficiosos de la cúrcuma sobre los parámetros de esperma. La cúrcuma como un antioxidanteatóxico puede reducir la producción de ON. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el efecto de la cúrcuma en el nivel de ON e investigar si la cúrcuma puede mejorar los parámetros del semen en ratas macho. Treinta ratas macho Wistar fueron divididas aleatoriamente en 5 grupos (V1y V2 (varicocele), T (tratamiento), Sh (simulado) y C (control)). En los grupos V1, V2, T y Sh, la vena renal izquierda fue parcialmente ligada para inducir varicocele. En los grupos de V1 y V2, los parámetros de semen y nivel de ON se evaluaron a las 8 y 16 semanas respectivamente, después de la inducción de varicocele. Los grupos T y Sh recibieron diariamente 100 mg/kg de cúrcuma y placebo durante 8 semanas, después de 2 meses de inducir el varicocele. Fueron medidos los parámetros del semen (recuento, motilidad, viabilidad y morfología espemática), peso del epidídimo y testículos, junto con la concentración del ON. El recuento, motilidad y viabilidad de los espermatozoides en los grupos V1, V2 y Sh fueron significativamente más bajos en comparación con los grupos C y T. El nivel de ON se incrementó significativamente en el suero de las ratas de los grupos V1 y V2, mientras que el suero del grupo T, en el que se administró cúrcuma, hubo una disminución de los niveles de ON. El peso del epidídimo y testículos tuvieron cambios significativos (P 0,05) en todos los grupos. La administración de cúrcuma como un eliminador de radicales libres, puede disminuir el nivel de ON y mejorar los parámetros espermáticos en ratas macho varicocelizadas.

Do Pilea Microphylla Improve Sperm DNA Fragmentation and Sperm Parameters in Varicocelized Rats?

Varicocele is one of the most common causes of primary male infertility. Pilea microphylla (PM) is being used as folk medicine. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of PM in a rat model of varicocele. A total of 30 male Wistar rats were divided into control, sham, varicocele, accessory varicocele and PM-treated groups. After 10 weeks of varicocele induction, sperm parameters and chromatin (Aniline blue, acridine orange and toluidine blue) were evaluated, except for the treated and accessory groups that received 50 mg/kg PM orally daily for 10 weeks and then were sacrificed. Sperm parameters significantly decreased in varicocele groups (P < 0.01). Moreover, there was a negative correlation between the DNA fragmentation and sperm parameters in varicocelized rats. Administration of PM led to significantly increased sperm parameters and AO staining (P < 0.05). These findings suggest that PM improves sperm parameters and DNA fragmentation in varicocelized rats. PM can reduce the damage to sperm DNA but not chromatin condensation.