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BACKGROUND: Sodium Benzoate (SB) is used in daily products such as drinks, juices, sauces, oils, ketchup, toothpaste, mouthwashes, cosmetics, dentifrices, and pharmaceutical products. However, SB has been implicated in gonadotoxicity even at a dosage within the safe limit. Zinc (Zn), on the other hand, has been shown to improve various fertility indices. Hence, this study was designed to explore the possible ameliorative effect of Zn on SB-induced testicular toxicity. METHODS: Animals were randomly divided into control, SB, Zn, and SB+Zn. All treatment lasted for 28 days. RESULTS: SB treatment caused a derangement in reproductive hormone levels, sperm function, and kinematics and a down-regulation of the Androgen receptor (ANDR). Also, a decrease in testicular levels of SOD, CAT, GSH, Nrf2, and HO- 1 activity and an increase in IL-1ß, TNF-α, Nf-κB, and Caspase 3 were observed. These SB-induced distortions were ameliorated in SB-treated rats exposed to Zn. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that zinc abates SB-induced testicular toxicity by modulating Nrf2/HO-1/ Nf-κB signaling and ANDR upregulation.
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Objectives: Male infertility is a major public health issue due to increased prevalence, so there is an urgent need for a therapeutic solution. The search for a natural dietary substance that could modulate redox balance and inflammation and protect testicular function is in demand. Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) has found use in the treatment of diabetes, and cancer owing to the presence of polyphenols. However, there is a dearth of information on its effect on testicular toxicity. The present study investigated VCO as a possible treatment for testicular toxicity in the Sodium Benzoate (SB) model of male infertility by evaluating the oxidative and inflammatory status, circulating hormonal levels, and key sperm indices. Materials and Methods: Twenty adult male rats were randomly assigned to four groups of 5 rats each and were treated with normal saline, sodium benzoate, sodium benzoate+5% VCO, and sodium benzoate+15% VCO for 30 days respectively. Biochemical analysis of reproductive hormones was assessed. Sperm parameters assessed include sperm function tests and sperm kinematics. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by post hoc Tukey tests was performed. Results: 5% VCO reverts the deranged serum reproductive hormones caused by sodium benzoate. 5% VCO was more potent as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory treatment than 15% VCO. However, both doses prevented SB's effect on the sperm function test and kinematics. Conclusion: VCO-supplemented diet can ameliorate SB-induced testicular toxicity by inhibiting its mechanisms of toxicity that are related to oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation.
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BACKGROUND: Acrylamide is a toxic substance formed in some foods that require high-temperature cooking processes and has been implicated as a gonadotoxic agent. Zinc, on the other hand, is a known antioxidant with fertility-enhancing properties. Hence, this study was designed to explore the possible ameliorative effect of zinc in acrylamide-induced gonadotoxicity. METHODS: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomized into control, acrylamide (10 mg/kg of acrylamide), acrylamide + 1 mg/kg of zinc, and acrylamide + 3 mg/kg of zinc. The administration was via the oral route and lasted for 56 days. RESULTS: Zinc treatment ameliorated acrylamide-impaired sperm quality, normal testicular histoarchitecture, and hormonal balance, which was accompanied by increased testicular malondialdehyde and interleukin-1ß and decreased testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Furthermore, zinc prevented acrylamide-induced downregulation of testicular nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCl2) expression and upregulation of testicular nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and bcl-2-like protein 4 (bax) expression. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, zinc may protect against acrylamide-induced testicular toxicity, mediated by its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects.
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Antioxidantes , Apoptosis , Estrés Oxidativo , Transducción de Señal , Zinc , Animales , Masculino , Ratas , Acrilamida/toxicidad , Antioxidantes/farmacología , Antioxidantes/metabolismo , Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Proteína X Asociada a bcl-2/metabolismo , Proteína X Asociada a bcl-2/farmacología , Hemo-Oxigenasa 1/metabolismo , Hemo-Oxigenasa 1/farmacología , Factor 2 Relacionado con NF-E2/metabolismo , FN-kappa B/metabolismo , Estrés Oxidativo/efectos de los fármacos , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-bcl-2/metabolismo , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-bcl-2/farmacología , Ratas Wistar , Semen/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal/efectos de los fármacos , Zinc/farmacologíaRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: Psychiatric and cognitive impairment has been observed in premenopausal women with a hormonal disorder called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study aimed to explore the possibility of combining pharmacological agents: Carvedilol and Clomiphene citrate, with antiestrogenic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in letrozole-induced PCOS rats. METHODS: PCOS was induced in rats by the administration of letrozole (1 mg/kg) daily for 21 days. They were subsequently divided into four groups, each receiving either the vehicle or Clomiphene citrate (1 mg/kg) or Carvedilol or a combination of Clomiphene citrate and Carvedilol, respectively from days 22-36. Neurobehavioral studies were conducted on day 35 (Elevated plus maze and Y maze) and day 36 (Novel object recognition). The serum levels of the antioxidants Superoxide dismutase, Catalase, Interleukin 1B (IL-1B), and the gene expression of nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Nuclear Factor k-Beta (NFKB), and acetylcholine esterase in the frontal brain homogenate was determined. RESULT: Both Carvedilol and the combination therapy reversed the anxiety-like behavior, while Clomiphene citrate and the combination therapy ameliorated the spatial and non-spatial memory impairment observed in PCOS rats. Carvedilol, Clomiphene citrate, and the combination therapy increased the serum concentration of SOD and Catalase and decreased the serum concentration of IL-1B. The combination therapy up-regulated the NRF-2, NFKB, and acetylcholine esterase gene expression. CONCLUSION: Study showed that the combination of carvedilol and clomiphene citrate has anxiolytic potential and improved cognitive functions in PCOS rats. This might have been achieved by carvedilol and clomiphene citrate's ability to modulate the cholinergic system and the Nrf2 pathway while downregulating the NFκB signaling pathway.
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Infertilidad Femenina , Síndrome del Ovario Poliquístico , Animales , Femenino , Humanos , Ratas , Acetilcolina , Carvedilol/farmacología , Carvedilol/uso terapéutico , Catalasa , Clomifeno/farmacología , Clomifeno/uso terapéutico , Esterasas , Fármacos para la Fertilidad Femenina/farmacología , Fármacos para la Fertilidad Femenina/uso terapéutico , Infertilidad Femenina/tratamiento farmacológico , Letrozol/farmacología , Factor 2 Relacionado con NF-E2 , Inducción de la Ovulación , Fenotipo , Síndrome del Ovario Poliquístico/metabolismo , FN-kappa B/efectos de los fármacos , FN-kappa B/metabolismoRESUMEN
Background: The Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) is the most widely accepted tool for assessing burnout among students worldwide. However, no studies have yet tested the validity of the student version of the MBI in Nigeria. The study aimed to assess the factorial structure and cross-cultural validity of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Student Version MBI-GS (S) in a Nigerian university. Methodology: An online cross-sectional study was conducted among 536 undergraduate students from three departments in the Faculty of Basic Medical Science at a Nigerian university. Data were collected using MBI-GS (S) and a confirmatory factor analysis was performed to explore its factor structure. Results: The results revealed that the three-factor, 15-item structure of the MBI-GS (S) demonstrated a valid factorial structure among Nigerian undergraduate students, evidenced by the extraction of three components with eigen values exceeding 1, accounting for 73.7% of the variance, in line with the three-factor structure of the original MBI. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was high, with a Cronbach's alpha value of 0.901. The Cronbach's alpha for emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and academic efficacy were 0.901, 0.841, and 0.941, respectively. A weak negative correlation was observed between emotional exhaustion and cynicism, and a moderate negative correlation was found between emotional exhaustion and academic efficacy, and cynicism and academic efficacy. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the MBI-GS (S) is a reliable tool for assessing burnout levels among Nigerian university students. They provide strong evidence for the factorial validity and reliability of the MBI-GS (S), supporting its cross-cultural validation for assessing burnout.
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INTRODUCTION: The cornerstone of HIV prevention among female adolescent prostitutes is awareness promotion complemented with advocacy on consistent and correct use of condom. The study aimed at reviewing HIV awareness and condom use among female adolescent prostitutes in Lagos communities, Nigeria. METHODS: It was a mixed-method study realized through a questionnaire-based survey and in-depth interviews of adolescent sex workers in Oyingbo and Yaba communities of Lagos State, Nigeria; conducted between 1st of April, 2014 and 30th of September, 2014. SPSS version 17.0 and content analysis were used in analyzing quantitative and qualitative data respectively. RESULTS: 97.3% had heard about HIV/AIDS; with 86.9% being tested for HIV in the preceding 6 months. While there was consistent use of male condom in 99.7% of the respondents, 90% had experience with the use of female condom, however, 95.5% would allow non- use of condom for higher financial reward. CONCLUSION: Although the level of awareness of HIV/AIDS was high among the respondents, there is need to improve on the level of awareness and preventive strategies for HIV/AIDS, with more emphasis laid on the consistent and correct use of condom in this highly vulnerable class of people.