The Effect of Astaxanthin on Motility, Viability, Reactive Oxygen Species, Apoptosis, and Lipid Peroxidation of Human Spermatozoa During the Freezing-Thawing Process.

Cryopreservation of spermatozoa is a general procedure to preserve viable sperm for an indefinite period. Despite the efficiency of sperm cryopreservation, excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during cryopreservation can induce structural and functional changes in spermatozoa. Also, cryopreservation has been shown to decrease the spermatozoa's antioxidant activity inducing them to be more sensitive to damage caused by ROS. Experimental evidence suggests that astaxanthin (AXT) has essential activities such as antioxidant, antibacterial, and antithrombotic properties. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of AXT on the sperm quality of healthy men during freezing-thawing. In the first phase, 10 semen samples with different concentrations of AXT (0.0, 0.5, 1, and 2 µM) were cryopreserved to achieve an optimal dose of AXT. Then, motility, viability, and phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization were evaluated. In the second phase, 25 samples were collected and divided into 3 groups: fresh group, control group (untreated frozen-thawed samples), and AXT group (treated frozen-thawed with AXT). Then, samples were cryopreserved in freezing media supplemented with or without the optimal concentration of AXT (1 µM). After thawing, the levels of sperm parameters, including motility (using a computer-assisted sperm analyzer), viability (eosin-nigrosin), early apoptotic change (annexin V/propidium iodide), ROS (flow cytometry), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) (using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), were evaluated. Our results showed that the addition of 1 µM AXT to sperm freezing media improved all parameters of sperm motility and viability (p ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, it could reduce the levels of ROS parameters (intracellular hydrogen peroxide and superoxide) compared with the control group (p ≤ 0.05). Also, AXT significantly decreased the level of PS externalization (p ≤ 0.05) and LPO (p ≤ 0.05) after the freezing-thawing process. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that human semen treatment with 1 µM AXT before the freezing-thawing process has protective effects against oxidative stress and could diminish the destructive effects of this process on sperm quality.

Effects of Melatonin and/or Magnesium Supplementation on Biomarkers of Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Magnesium and melatonin are known to exert multiple beneficial effects including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. This study was designed to determine the effects of magnesium and/or melatonin supplementation on metabolic profiles in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 84 subjects with PCOS aged 18-40 years old. Patients were randomly assigned based on the random block procedure to take magnesium, melatonin, magnesium plus melatonin, or placebo for 8 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after the intervention to quantify related variables. After the 8-week intervention, an insignificant marginal difference was seen in waist circumference (WC) between groups (P = 0.085). Magnesium-melatonin co-supplementation resulted in more reductions in hirsutism compared with other groups (P < 0.001). Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) declined significantly in the melatonin and co-supplementation groups compared to baseline (P < 0.05). Also, magnesium plus melatonin was associated with a more increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels, as compared to the other treatment groups (P = 0.001). Overall, we found a favorable effect of co-supplementation of magnesium and melatonin for 8 weeks in women with PCOS on hirsutism, serum TNF-α, and TAC levels. Furthermore, melatonin independently contributed to decreased serum values of TNF-α.Clinical trial registration number http://www.irct.ir : IRCT20191130045556N1, January 2020.

Metabolic and hormonal effects of melatonin and/or magnesium supplementation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders among women of reproductive age. This study was designed to investigate the effects of melatonin and/or magnesium supplementation on metabolic profile and levels of sex hormones in PCOS women. METHODS: In an 8-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 84 subjects with PCOS aged 18-40 years were randomly assigned based on the random block procedure to take magnesium, melatonin, magnesium plus melatonin, and placebo. Fasting blood samples were obtained at the beginning and end of the study. RESULTS: After intervention, the mean Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index score decreased significantly in both co-supplementation and melatonin groups (P < 0.001). Magnesium supplementation in combination with melatonin resulted in a significant greater decrease in testosterone concentrations compared with the placebo (P < 0.05). Co-supplementation of magnesium-melatonin had significantly reduced serum insulin levels (geometric means difference: - 1.11 (mIU/mL) (percent change: - 15.99)), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (- 0.28 (- 18.66)), serum cholesterol (mean difference: - 16.08 (mg/dl) [95% CI - 24.24, - 7.92]), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) - 18.96 (mg/dl) [- 28.73, - 9.20]) and testosterone levels (- 0.09 (ng/ml) (- 25.00)), as compared to the baseline values (P < 0.05). An increase in serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels was also observed following the administration of the melatonin alone (2.76 (mg/dl) [0.57, 4.95]) or in combination with magnesium (2.19 (mg/dl) [0.61, 3.77]) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Co-supplementation with magnesium and melatonin had beneficial effects on sleep quality and total testosterone. Additionally, melatonin supplementation alone was found to be associated with a significant reduction in PSQI score. Moreover, combined melatonin and magnesium supplementation was more effective in improving serum levels of cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C and insulin, and HOMA-IR. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trial. http://www.irct.ir : IRCT20191130045556N1, January 2020.

Effects of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Zingiber officinale on Arginase I Activity and Expression in the Retina of Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggests that an increased arginase activity is involved in vascular dysfunction in experimental animals. Zingiber officinale Roscoe, commonly known as ginger, has been widely used in the traditional medicine for treatment of diabetes. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at investigating the effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Z. officinale on arginase I activity and expression in the retina of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: In this experimental study, 16 male Wistar rats weighing 200 - 250 g were assessed. Diabetes was induced via a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg body weight). The rats were randomly allocated into four experimental groups. Untreated healthy and diabetic controls received 1.5 mL/kg distilled water. Treated diabetic rats received 200, and 400 mg/kg of the Z. officinale extract dissolved in distilled water (1.5 mL/kg). Body weight, blood glucose and insulin concentration were measured by standard methods. The arginase I activity and expression were determined by spectrophotometric and western blot analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Our results showed that blood glucose concentration was significantly decreased in diabetic rats treated with the extract compared to untreated diabetic controls (P < 0.01). Treatment with 400 mg/kg of the extract reduced arginase I activity and expression (P < 0.05). A significant elevation in body weight was observed in diabetic rats treated with the extract. Serum insulin was significantly increased in diabetic rats treated with 400 mg/kg of the extract compared to diabetic controls (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the Z. officinale hydroalcoholic extract may potentially be a promising therapeutic option for treating diabetes-induced vascular disorders, possibly through reducing arginase I activity and expression in the retina.

Effects of Malva sylvestris and Its Isolated Polysaccharide on Experimental Ulcerative Colitis in Rats.

Malva sylvestris is an edible plant that is consumed as a herbal supplement for its antiulcer and colon cleansing properties in traditional Persian medicine. This study was designed to evaluate its effects on ulcerative colitis, which is a chronic gastrointestinal inflammation. Colitis was induced by rectal instillation of acetic acid solution. Rats in different groups received aqueous, n-hexane, or ethanolic fractions of the plant before induction of colitis. Isolated polysaccharide of plant was also tested in 2 groups before and after induction of colitis. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluation of colitis showed that the aqueous fraction was very effective in preventing the inflammation and efficacy was lower for ethanolic and n-hexane fractions. Polysaccharide was effective in reducing signs of inflammation, especially as pretreatment. These beneficial effects provide evidences that this plant can be suggested for patients with this disease to improve their health condition or to reduce adverse effects of their medication.