Copper Nanoparticles Mitigate the Growth, Immunity, and Oxidation Resistance in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio).

The present investigation aimed to evaluate the influence of copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) on the growth, immunity, and oxidation resistance of common carp (3.02 ± 0.01 g, initial mean weight ± S.E.). Five groups of fish fed diets with Cu-NPs at 0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 mg/kg for 8 weeks. The results suggested that Cu-NPs in diets increased the growth performance and reduced FCR with linear and quadratic model (P < 0.05). Also, common carp fed Cu-NPs showed increased carcass protein, lipid, and ash contents in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The Cu accumulation in the carcass, liver, muscle, and gills increased by Cu-NPs and showed the maximum at 4 mg Cu-NPs/kg (P < 0.05). No significant alterations were found in the blood variables due to Cu-NP supplementation except for the Hb, RBCs, total protein, albumin, and globulin levels which showed the highest level in 2 mg/kg (P < 0.05). IgM level, phagocytic, lysozyme, SOD, CAT, and GPX activities were boosted by Cu-NPs with decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content (P < 0.05). Based on regression analysis, the requirement of dietary Cu-NPs for common carp was estimated to be 2.19 to 2.91 mg/kg diet.

Premature ovarian failure of autoimmune etiology in 46XX patients: is there a hope?

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of live bee stings at fertility points and acupuncture in treating symptoms and managing infertility in premature ovarian failure (POF) of autoimmune etiology. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with primary POF were allocated randomly into two groups: group I: subjected to acupuncture at specific fertility points and group II: subjected to live bee stings at sites of fertility points. RESULTS: A total of 24 cases show significant reduction of Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) level to normal range with gradual decline over the study duration: 13 cases in group I and 11 cases in group II. Eight cases got pregnant while the other 13 cases regained normal menses but still infertile. CONCLUSIONS: Both bee sting therapy and acupuncture were effective in reduction of FSH levels with restoration of regular menstrual patterns and restoration of fertility. The bee sting therapy was superior in the pregnancy rate, while acupuncture was superior in alleviation of symptoms.

Effect of organic and inorganic selenium supplementation on semen quality and blood enzymes in buffalo bulls.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of organic and inorganic selenium (Se) supplementation on semen quality and blood serum profiles of buffalo bulls. Nine mature buffalo bulls were divided into three groups: control (non-supplemented); organic Se (10 mg Sel-Plex®/head twice weekly) and inorganic Se (10 mg sodium selenite/head twice weekly). Semen was collected twice a week for 3 months during Se supplementation. Semen properties were evaluated from fresh ejaculate. Moreover, fructose concentration, aspartate and alanine transaminase (AST and ALT) activities, total protein and total cholesterol were assayed in seminal plasma. Additionally AST, ALT, testosterone and Se levels were determined in the blood serum. Results showed that Se supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) influences the semen parameters during 3 months of treatment. Organic Se significantly (P < 0.05) increased the percentage of viable sperms compared to inorganic Se and the control group. Fructose concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the seminal plasma of organic Se-treated bulls. Serum testosterone and Se concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the Se supplemented groups than the control group. In conclusion, Se supplementation improved the parameters of buffalo bull semen and more precisely, organic Se was more effective for the improvement of semen quality and some blood components than inorganic Se.

An attempt to improve the reproductive efficiency of Nile tilapia brood stock fish.

A field study was conducted on brood stock Nile tilapia to increase the propagation. Both sexes were individually stocked into Habas (enclosures) in an earthen pond and fed for 19 days on a basal diet supplemented with different additives at graded levels of each (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g Therigon®; 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 g Nuvisol Hatch P®; 20, 40 and 60 mg Gibberellic acid and 700, 900 and 1,100 mg L-carnitine/Kg diet). The obtained results were evaluated, and the best treatment for each sex was chosen for mating. Results indicated that all pretreatments for male and female brood stocks of Nile tilapia positively affected the total count of the offspring produced. Yet, the Haba, in which the females were pretreated with 0.5 g Therigon®/Kg diet and the males pretreated with 700 mg L-carnitine/Kg diet, gave the highest total count of the offspring comparing with the other Habas. But, because of the high feed cost due to the additives cost, 0.5 g Therigon®/kg diet as pretreatment for ♀ only (3rd Haba), 2 g Nuvisol Hatch P®/Kg diet as pretreatment for ♀ only (5th Haba), followed by 0.5 g Therigon® and 700 mg L-carnitine/Kg diet for ♀ and ♂, respectively (4th Haba), respectively were the best economically.

Effects of oral consumption of the green tea polyphenol EGCG in a murine model for human Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease.

SIGNIFICANCE: Protection of glandular cells from autoimmune-induced damage would be of significant clinical benefit to Sjogren's syndrome (SS) patients. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) possesses anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and autoantigen-inhibitory properties. AIMS: To investigate if EGCG protects against certain autoimmune-induced pathological changes in the salivary glands of the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model for SS. MAIN METHODS: Animals were provided with either water or water containing 0.2% EGCG. At the age of 8, 16 and 22 weeks, submandibular salivary gland tissue and serum samples were collected for pathological and serological analysis. KEY FINDINGS: Significant lymphocyte infiltration was observed in the salivary glands of the water-fed group at the age of 16 weeks, while the EGCG group showed reduced lymphocyte infiltration. By 22 weeks of age, water-fed animals demonstrated elevated levels of apoptotic activity within the lymphocytic infiltrates, and high levels of serum total anti-nuclear antibody, compared to EGCG-fed animals. Remarkably, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and Ki-67 levels in the salivary glands of water-fed NOD mice were significantly elevated in comparison to BALB/c control mice; in contrast, PCNA and Ki-67 levels in EGCG-fed NOD animals were similar to BALB/c mice. These results indicate that EGCG protects the NOD mouse submandibular glands from autoimmune-induced inflammation, and reduces serum autoantibody levels. Abnormal proliferation, rather than apoptosis, appears to be a characteristic of the NOD mouse gland that is normalized by EGCG. The evidence suggests that EGCG could be useful in delaying or managing SS-like autoimmune disorders.

Green tea polyphenols reduce autoimmune symptoms in a murine model for human Sjogren's syndrome and protect human salivary acinar cells from TNF-alpha-induced cytotoxicity.

Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a relatively common autoimmune disorder. A key feature of SS is lymphocytic infiltration of the salivary and lacrimal glands, associated with the destruction of secretory functions of these glands. Current treatment of SS targets the symptoms but is unable to reduce or prevent the damage to the glands. We reported previously that the major green tea polyphenol (GTP) epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) inhibits autoantigen expression in normal human keratinocytes and immortalized normal human salivary acinar cells (Hsu et al. 2005). However, it is not known whether GTPs have this effect in vivo, if they can reduce lymphocytic infiltration, or protect salivary acinar cells from tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced cytotoxicity. Here, we demonstrate that in the NOD mouse, a model for human SS, oral administration of green tea extract reduced the serum total autoantibody levels and the autoimmune-induced lymphocytic infiltration of the submandibular glands. Further, we show that EGCG protected normal human salivary acinar cells from TNF-alpha-induced cytotoxicity. This protection was associated with specific phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, and inhibitors of the p38 MAPK pathway blocked the protective effect. In conclusion, GTPs may provide a degree of protection against autoimmune-induced tissue damage in SS, mediated in part through activation of MAPK elements.

Green tea polyphenols induce differentiation and proliferation in epidermal keratinocytes.

The most abundant green tea polyphenol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), was found to induce differential effects between tumor cells and normal cells. Nevertheless, how normal epithelial cells respond to the polyphenol at concentrations for which tumor cells undergo apoptosis is undefined. The current study tested exponentially growing and aged primary human epidermal keratinocytes in response to EGCG or a mixture of the four major green tea polyphenols. EGCG elicited cell differentiation with associated induction of p57/KIP2 within 24 h in growing keratinocytes, measured by the expression of keratin 1, filaggrin, and transglutaminase activity. Aged keratinocytes, which exhibited low basal cellular activities after culturing in growth medium for up to 25 days, renewed DNA synthesis and activated succinate dehydrogenase up to 37-fold upon exposure to either EGCG or the polyphenols. These results suggest that tea polyphenols may be used for treatment of wounds or certain skin conditions characterized by altered cellular activities or metabolism.

A mechanism-based in vitro anticancer drug screening approach for phenolic phytochemicals.

Plant-derived phenolic compounds, including polyphenols (e.g., tannins), flavonoids, and phenolic acids, have been under investigation for their anticancer therapeutic and chemoprevention properties. Recently, certain mechanisms underlying the differential effects of green tea polyphenols (GTPPs) on tumor versus normal cells have been determined. These suggest that GTPPs may simultaneously activate multiple pathways. However, existing screening methods are insufficient for the identification of agents that possess both a cytotoxic effect on tumor cells and a protective effect on normal cells. The current study describes the establishment of an in vitro survival/apoptosis testing system based on detecting these mechanisms by a double-fluorescence method. This system is able to screen potential chemopreventive or therapeutic agents from (but not limited to) plant-derived compounds based on the pathways differentially activated by the agents. Tumor cell death and normal cell survival are detected simultaneously, in a device that co-cultures normal human cells adjacent to human tumor cells.

Enhancement of osteoblast proliferation in vitro by selective enrichment of demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft with specific growth factors.

Decalcified freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA), believed to serve as a matrix for new bone growth and to contain various bone-inducing growth factors, is currently used to regenerate periodontal defects and to restore and maintain dental alveolar ridges. Growth factors within DFDBA are extracted during the demineralization process, thus rendering the allograft incapable of spontaneous osteogenesis; however, exogenous growth factor addition to DFDBA may enhance the osteogenic capacity of native osteoblasts. This study's purpose is to evaluate murine osteoblast proliferation in the presence of various exogenous soluble growth factors as measured by fluorescence units. Osteoblasts harvested from mouse pup calvaria were cultured with 2% residual calcium-DFDBA and supplemented by one of the following growth factors or combinations of these factors: transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), fibroblast growth factors basic (bFGF), or vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF). Osteoblast proliferation rates indicate that the in vitro supplementation of 2% residual calcium-DFDBA with the combination of IGF and TGF-beta, IGF and PDGF, and PDGF and TGF-beta significantly (P < or = .05) enhance murine osteoblast activity and proliferation at 7 days compared with the control containing no exogenous growth factors.

Evaluation of pluronic polyols as carriers for grafting materials: study in rat calvaria defects.

BACKGROUND: Pluronic polyols are a family of non-ionic surfactants currently used as drug carriers for antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-neoplastic agents. Therapeutic administration of non-ionic surface-active agents is known to facilitate early collagen synthesis and microcirculation, thus promoting wound healing. The purpose of this study was to determine the in vivo effects of pluronic polyols combined with either an allograft or an alloplast on the healing of critical-sized calvarial defects. METHODS: One hundred fifty (150) adult (95 to 105 days old) male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing between 375 and 425 g were randomly and evenly assigned to each of 15 separate treatment groups and anesthetized, and 8 mm calvarial critical-sized defects were created. Pluronic F-68 (F-68) or pluronic F-127 (F-127) was administered either topically or systemically and in conjuction with demineralized bone powder (DBP), tricalcium phosphate (TCP), or non-grafted controls. Pluronic polyols are easily mixed with either DBP or TCP to improve handling ease. Calvaria were harvested at 12 weeks postsurgery and evaluated histomorphometrically, by contact radiography with subsequent densitometric analysis, through energy spectrometry utilizing a scanning electron microscope, and by fluorescent microscopy. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the percentage of bone fill among the control, TCP, and DBP only groups, P <0.05. The only significant difference within any of these groups was between the TCP control and TCP plus systemic F-127, P<0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Although there were isolated differences, the overall trend was that the pluronic polyol and the mode of administration did not result in a significant change in bone wound healing as measured by the percentage of bone fill. Pluronic polyols may be considered as carriers for osseous graft materials.