The Effects of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Silk Cocoon on Hypothalamic-Pituitary -Gonadal Axis in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Male Rats.

Background: Diabetes mellitus impairs the reproductive system by damaging the glands and changing their function and hormone secretions. Given the previous studies on medical properties of silk cocoon, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of silk cocoon on pituitary-gonadal axis hormones and the testis changes in diabetic male rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 35 male rats were divided into 5 equal groups. Control (C), nontreated diabetic rats (DNT1), and experimental diabetic rats treated (DT1) with a silk cocoon extract at concentrations of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg for 56 days. Diabetes was induced by an injection of streptozotocin. Blood sampling was performed by the tail and heart after fasting. Body weight, serum levels of glucose, prolactin, leptin, inhibin A, IGF-2, activin A, insulin, LH, testosterone, FSH, and GnRH were measured along with the testis weight and diameter as the outcome of the study. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 20. Results: Investigation of hormonal factors indicated that all diabetic groups had higher prolactin, inhibin A levels than those in C group and lower leptin, IGF-2, activin A, insulin, LH, testosterone, FSH, and GnRH levels than controls. Silk cocoon treatment significantly decreased prolactin and inhibin in comparison of DNT1 group. While there was a significant increase in leptin, IGF-2, activin A, insulin, LH, testosterone, FSH, and GnRH levels compared with DNT1 (P < 0.05). A significant decrease in both the testis weights and diameters was observed in diabetic male rats compared to controls (P < 0.05). While silk cocoon treatment improved gonadal weight, the diameter of tunica albuginea, and seminiferous tubules as long as increased in numbers of spermatocytes and Sertoli-Leydig cells. Spermatogonia, spermatocyte, spermatid, spermatozoid, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cell count were significantly lower in the DNT1 group in comparison with the control group, while all groups receiving the highest dose of SC800 mg/kg daily had a higher count of cells than the DNT1 group. Conclusion: It seems that silk cocoon treatment decreases the effects of diabetes on hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Protective effects of salep against isoniazid liver toxicity in wistar rats.

INTRODUCTION: Isoniazid is a drug for treatment of tuberculosis. One of the main side effects of this drug is hepatotoxicity, which is a major cause of treatment interruption in tuberculosis. This study is about the preventive effect of Salep on this side effect of isoniazid. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is an experimental study in which the preventive effect of salep on isoniazid hepatotoxicity is evaluated. In this study 56 rats were randomly placed in 7 eight members groups including: control group, sham, isoniazid and four isoniazid/salep groups. At the end of the study the laboratory criteria and histological features of liver toxicity were compared in different mentioned groups. RESULTS: Significant lower serum levels of liver enzymes, billirubin, MDA and TOC; and significant higher levels of TAC and total proteins, were revealed in isoniazid/salep group in compare to isoniazid alone group.In addition, histological studies had not showed liver injury in isoniazid/salep group, while there was significant liver injury in isoniazid alone group. CONCLUSIONS: Orchid extract (salep), probably because of its antioxidant properties, prevent the destructive effects of isoniazid on the liver.

Cytokine Pattern is Affected by Training Intensity in Women Futsal Players.

To find the relation between exercise and cytokines, we examined the effect of the training intensity on the levels of cytokines, including interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interlukine-4 (IL-4) and interlukine-4/interferon-gamma ratio (IL-4/IFN-γ ratio) in female Futsal players. Twelve well-trained female college Futsal players aged 19~22 participated in this study. The athletes completed 30-min of running at 60~65% maximal heart rate [moderate-intensity exercise], and 30-min of running at 75~80% maximal heart rate [high-intensity exercise]. peripheral blood samples were collected 24 h before and 24 h and 48 h after each of the exercise bouts. finding showed that The 30-min bout of moderate-intensity exercise induced a significant increase in IFN-γ (p=0.01) and significant decreases in IL-4 (p=0.001) and IL-4/IFN-γ ratio (p=0.003). And also, 30-min of running at 75~80% maximal heart rate induced increase in IFN-γ (p=0.07) and decreased in IL-4 (p=0.01) and IL-4/IFN-γ ratio (p=0.06) that these changes not significantly. In summary, exercise intensity can effect on the magnitude of changes in cytokines. It seems that moderate intensity exercise enhances cytokine pattern in female college Futsal players.

Antioxidant effects of proanthocyanidin from grape seed on hepatic tissue injury in diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVES: Diabetes plays an important role in the induction of the liver injury. Grape seed proanthocyanidin (GSP) have a wide range of medicinal properties against oxidative stress. In this study we evaluated antioxidant effects of GSP on liver in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control, untreated diabetic and diabetic rats treated with GSP. Diabetes was induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). GSP were administered via oral gavage (200 mg/kg) for 4 weeks. RESULTS: GSP produced significant hepatoprotective effects by decreasing activities of serum aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase, and decreasing liver malondialdehyde and bilirubin (P<0.05) levels. It increased liver superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities and albumin level (P<0.05). Administration of GSP significantly ameliorated structural changes induced in liver of diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: GSP have protective effects against hepatic tissue injury due to antioxidant properties.

Co-administration of Grape Seed Extract and Exercise Training Improves Endothelial Dysfunction of Coronary Vascular Bed of STZ-Induced Diabetic Rats.

BACKGROUND: One of the known complications of diabetes mellitus is vascular dysfunction. Inability of the coronary vascular response to cardiac hyperactivity might cause a higher incidence of ischemic heart disease in diabetic subjects. It has been indicated that regular exercise training and antioxidants could prevent diabetic cardiovascular problems enhanced by vascular damage. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of grape seed extract (as antioxidant), with and without exercise training on coronary vascular function in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty male Wistar rats weighing 200 - 232 grams were randomly divided into five groups of 10 rats each: sedentary control, sedentary diabetic, trained diabetic, grape seed extract (200 mg/kg) treated sedentary diabetic and, grape seed extract treated trained diabetic. Diabetes was induced by one intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. After eight weeks, coronary vascular responses to vasoactive agents were determined. RESULTS: The endothelium dependent vasorelaxation to acetylcholine was reduced significantly in diabetic animals; exercise training or grape seed extract administration partially improves this response. However, exercise training in combination with grape seed extract restores endothelial function completely. The endothelium independent vasorelaxation to sodium nitroprusside was improved by combination of exercise training and grape seed extract. On the other hand, the basal perfusion pressure and vasoconstrictive response to phenylephrine did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The data indicated that co-administration of grape seed extract and exercise training had more significant effects than exercise training or grape seed extract alone; this may constitute a convenient and inexpensive therapeutic approach to diabetic vascular complications.

Exercise Training and Grape Seed Extract Co-Administration Improves Lipid Profile, Weight Loss, Bradycardia, and Hypotension of STZ-Induced Diabetic Rats.

BACKGROUND: Exercise Training (ET) and Grape Seed Extract (GSE) as an antioxidant have many positive effects on controlling diabetes mellitus and its complications. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the effects of GSE alone or combined with ET on body weight, plasma lipid profile, blood pressure, and heart rate in STZ-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: IN THIS STUDY, MALE WISTAR RATS WERE RANDOMLY ASSIGNED TO FIVE GROUPS: sedentary control, sedentary diabetic, trained diabetic, GSE treated sedentary diabetic, and GSE treated trained diabetic. ET was conducted on the treadmill daily for 8 weeks. One way ANOVA followed by LSD test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Reduction of body weight, high density lipoproteins, heart rate, and systolic blood pressure and increment of total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, and very low density lipoproteins were observed after STZ injection. Co-administration of GSE and ET had more positive effects on lipid profile compared to each method alone. In addition, GSE and ET modified heart rate partially, while their combination was more effective in improvement of heart rat in conscious rats. On the other hand, administration of ET or GSE alone did not affect systolic blood pressure and body weight, while their combination restored systolic blood pressure completely and improved body weight partially. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings indicated that ET combined with GSE had more beneficial effects compared to each one alone on the complications of STZ induced diabetes. This may constitute a convenient and inexpensive therapeutic approach to diabetic complications.