Advances of three-dimensional (3D) culture systems for in vitro spermatogenesis.

The loss of germ cells and spermatogenic failure in non-obstructive azoospermia are believed to be the main causes of male infertility. Laboratory studies have used in vitro testicular models and different 3-dimensional (3D) culture systems for preservation, proliferation and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in recent decades. The establishment of testis-like structures would facilitate the study of drug and toxicity screening, pathological mechanisms and in vitro differentiation of SSCs which resulted in possible treatment of male infertility. The different culture systems using cellular aggregation with self-assembling capability, the use of different natural and synthetic biomaterials and various methods for scaffold fabrication provided a suitable 3D niche for testicular cells development. Recently, 3D culture models have noticeably used in research for their architectural and functional similarities to native microenvironment. In this review article, we briefly investigated the recent 3D culture systems that provided a suitable platform for male fertility preservation through organ culture of testis fragments, proliferation and differentiation of SSCs.

Anti-hypertensive Effects of Artichoke Supplementation in Adults: A Systematic Review and Dose-response Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Despite controversies, no earlier study has systematically summarized findings from earlier studies on the effect of artichoke supplementation on blood pressure. Therefore, current systematic review and meta-analysis was done on the effect of artichoke supplementation on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in adults. Five databases were searched from inception to January 2022 using relevant keywords. All randomized clinical trials investigating the impact of oral artichoke supplementation on any of the blood pressure parameters including SBP or/and DBP were included. Out of 1,507 citations, 7 trials that enrolled 472 subjects were included. Artichoke supplementation resulted in significant reduction in SBP (weighted mean difference [WMD], -2.01 mmHg; 95% confidence interval [CI], -3.78, -0.24; p = 0.026) and DBP (WMD, -1.45 mmHg; 95% CI, -2.81, -0.08; p = 0.038). Greater effects on SBP were detected in trials using ≤ 500 mg artichoke, lasted > 8 weeks, participants aged < 50 years' old and sample size ≤ 70. There was also a similar impact of artichoke on DBP. However, significant non-linear associations were found between artichoke supplementation dosage and study duration with both SBP (for dosage: pnon-linearity = 0.002, for duration: pnon-linearity = 0.016) and DBP (for dosage: pnon-linearity = 0.005, for duration: pnon-linearity = 0.003). We found a significant reduction in both SBP and DBP following artichoke supplementation in adults. It could be proposed as a hypotensive supplement in hypertension management.