Low oxygen in inspired air causes severe cerebrocortical hypoxia and cell death in the cerebral cortex of awake rats.

Type 1 respiratory failure (T1RF) is associated with secondary acute brain injury (sABI). The underlying mechanisms of sABI could include injury to brain cells mediated either by hypoxia or by lung injury-triggered inflammation. To elucidate to what extent T1RF causes hypoxia and a consequent hypoxic injury in the brain in the absence of lung injury, we exposed healthy, conscious Sprague-Dawley rats to 48 h long low partial pressure of O2 in inspired air (PiO2) (7.5-8 % O2 in N2, CO2 < 0.5 %, normal barometric pressure) and measured the partial pressure of oxygen in the premotor cortex (PtO2), cerebral blood flow (CBF), lactate concentrations, and cell death. Low PiO2 significantly affected PtO2, which was 52.3 (SD 2.1) mmHg when PiO2 was normal but declined to 6.4 (SD 3.8) mmHg when PiO2 was low for 1 h. This was accompanied by increased lactate concentrations in plasma, CSF, and premotor cortex. Low PiO2 elevated the number of dead cells in the cerebral cortex from 5.6 (SD 4.8) % (when PiO2 was normal) to 20.5 (SD 4.1) % and 32.37 (SD 6.5) % after 24 h and 48 h exposure to low PiO2, respectively. The Mann-Kendall test could not detect any monotonic increase or decrease in pial blood flow during the 48 h exposure to low PiO2. In summary, our findings suggest that exposure to low PiO2 caused a severe hypoxia in the cerebral cortex, which triggers a massive cell death. Since these conditions mimic T1RF, hypoxic injury could be an important underlying cause of T1RF-induced sABI.

Maternal dexamethasone exposure does not affect glucose tolerance but alters renal haemodynamics in F1 rats in a sex-dependent manner.

INTRODUCTION: Prenatal programming with dexamethasone increases the risk of the development of hyperglycaemia and insulin resistance, leading to diabetes in adulthood. Dexamethasone also causes a decline in renal glomerular filtration in the adult offspring. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) plays a significant role in regulating blood glucose and renal haemodynamics in diabetic patients. However, the role of SGLT2 in dexamethasone-induced programming and the putative sex-dependent effects on the changes named earlier is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impact of maternal dexamethasone treatment on glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, renal perfusion and renal function in adult male and female offspring and the possible contribution of SGLT2 to these changes. METHODS AND RESULTS: Pregnant Sprague Dawley rats (F0 ) were treated with either vehicle or dexamethasone (0.2 mg/kg ip) from gestation Day 15 to 20. F1 males and F1 females were randomly selected from each mother at 4 months of age. There was no change in serum Na+ , Na+ excretion rate, glucose tolerance or insulin sensitivity in F1 male or female rats. However, dexamethasone caused significant glomerular hypertrophy and decreases in CSinistrin and CPAH indicating decreased glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow, respectively, in dexamethasone-treated F1 male but not female rats. Dexamethasone did not affect SGLT2 mRNA or protein expression in F1 males or females. CONCLUSION: We conclude that dexamethasone-mediated prenatal programming of glomerular volume, renal function and haemodynamics is sex-dependent, occurring only in adult male offspring.

Role of progesterone on dexamethasone-induced alterations in placental vascularization and progesterone receptors in rats†.

BACKGROUND: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is manifested by lower maternal progesterone levels, smaller placental size, and decreased placental vascularity indicated by lower expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Studies showed that progesterone increases angiogenesis and induces VEGF expression in different tissues. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of progesterone on placental vascular bed and VEGF expression and the modulation of nuclear and membranous progesterone receptors (PR) in dexamethasone-induced rat IUGR model. METHODS: Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into four groups and given intraperitoneal injections of either saline, dexamethasone, dexamethasone, and progesterone or progesterone. Injections started on gestation day (DG) 15 and lasted until the days of euthanization (19 and 21 DG). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate plasma progesterone levels. Real-time PCR and western blotting were used to evaluate gene and protein expressions of VEGF, and PR in labyrinth and basal placental zones. Immunohistochemistry was used to locate VEGF and different PRs in placental cells. Immunofluorescence was used to monitor the expression of blood vessel marker (αSMA). RESULTS: Dexamethasone decreased the vascular bed fraction and the expression of VEGF in both placental zones. Progesterone co-treatment with dexamethasone prevented this reduction. Nuclear and membrane PRs showed tissue-specific expression in different placental zones and responded differently to both dexamethasone and progesterone. CONCLUSIONS: Progesterone treatment improves the outcomes in IUGR pregnancy. Progesterone alleviated DEX-induced IUGR probably by promoting placental VEGF and angiogenesis.

Impaired spatial navigation and age-dependent hippocampal synaptic dysfunction are associated with chronic inflammatory response in db/db mice.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) increases the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), which has been proposed to be driven by an abnormal neuroinflammatory response affecting cognitive function. However, the impact of T2DM on hippocampal function and synaptic integrity during aging has not been investigated. Here, we investigated the effects of aging in T2DM on AD-like pathology using the leptin receptor-deficient db/db mouse model of T2DM. Our results indicate that adult T2DM mice exhibited impaired spatial acquisition in the Morris water maze (MWM). Morphological analysis showed an age-dependent neuronal loss in the dentate gyrus. We found that astrocyte density was significantly decreased in all regions of the hippocampus in T2DM mice. Our analysis showed that microglial activation was increased in the CA3 and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus in an age-dependent manner in T2DM mice. However, the expression of presynaptic marker protein (synaptophysin) and the postsynaptic marker protein [postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95)] was unchanged in the hippocampus of adult T2DM mice. Interestingly, synaptophysin and PSD95 expression significantly decreased in the hippocampus of aged T2DM mice, suggesting an impaired hippocampal synaptic integrity. Cytokine profiling analysis displayed a robust pro-inflammatory cytokine profile in the hippocampus of aged T2DM mice compared with the younger cohort, outlining the role of aging in exacerbating the neuroinflammatory profile in the diabetic state. Our results suggest that T2DM impairs cognitive function by promoting neuronal loss in the dentate gyrus and triggering an age-dependent deterioration in hippocampal synaptic integrity, associated with an aberrant neuroinflammatory response.

Role of PPAR-γ in diabetes-induced testicular dysfunction, oxidative DNA damage and repair in leptin receptor-deficient obese type 2 diabetic mice.

The testis expresses peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), but its involvement in regulating diabetes-induced testicular dysfunction and DNA damage repair is not known. Pioglitazone-induced activation of PPAR-γ for 12 weeks in db/db obese diabetic mice increases bodyweights and reduces blood glucose levels, but PPAR-γ inhibition by 2-chloro-5-nitro-N-phenylbenzamide does not alter these parameters; instead, improves testis and epididymis weights and sperm count. Neither activation nor inhibition of PPAR-γ normalizes the diabetes-induced seminiferous epithelial degeneration. The PPAR-γ activation normalizes testicular lipid peroxidation, but its inhibition reduces lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage (8-oxo-dG) in diabetic mice. As a response to diabetes-induced oxidative DNA damage, the base-excision repair (BER) mechanism proteins- 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylases (OGG1/2) and X-ray repair cross-complementing protein-1 (XRCC1) increase, whereas the redox-factor-1 (REF1), DNA polymerase (pol) δ and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) show a tendency to increase suggesting an attempt to repair the oxidative DNA damage. The PPAR-γ stimulation inhibits OGG2, DNA pol δ, and XRCC1 in diabetic mice testes, but PPAR-γ inhibition reduces oxidative DNA damage and normalizes BER protein levels. In conclusion, type 2 diabetes negatively affects testicular structure and function and increases oxidative DNA damage and BER protein levels due to increased DNA damage. The PPAR-γ modulation does not significantly affect the structural changes in the testis. The PPAR-γ stimulation aggravates diabetes-induced effects on testis, including oxidative DNA damage and BER proteins, but PPAR-γ inhibition marginally recovers these diabetic effects indicating the involvement of the receptor in the reproductive effects of diabetes.

Progesterone partially recovers placental glucose transporters in dexamethasone-induced intrauterine growth restriction.

RESEARCH QUESTION: How does progesterone improve fetal outcome and change the expression of placental glucose transporters (GLUT) in dexamethasone-induced intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)? DESIGN: A total of 64 rats were divided randomly into four different treatment groups based on daily i.p. injections of either saline or dexamethasone in the presence or absence of progesterone. Injections started on the 15th day of gestation (15dg) and lasted until the day of sacrifice at 19dg or 21dg. Maternal plasma progesterone concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The gene and protein expression of placental GLUT1 and GLUT3 were evaluated in the placental labyrinth and basal zones by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. The localization of GLUT1 and GLUT3 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Dexamethasone induced significant decreases in maternal serum progesterone concentrations (P = 0.029) and placental (P < 0.001) and fetal body (P = 0.009) weights. Dexamethasone also reduced the expression of GLUT1 in the labyrinth zone (P = 0.028) and GLUT3 in both the labyrinth (P = 0.002) and basal zones (P = 0.026). Coadministration of dexamethasone and progesterone prevented the reduction in fetal body weight, placental weight and placental GLUT expression compared with that seen in dexamethasone-treated groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that progesterone prevents the significant reduction in fetal and placental weights in dexamethasone-induced IUGR, possibly through improving the expression of placental GLUT.

Effects of trans-resveratrol on type 1 diabetes-induced up-regulation of apoptosis and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling in retinal pigment epithelium of Dark Agouti rats.

Microvascular changes and retinal degeneration precede diabetic retinopathy. Oxidative stress alters several intracellular signaling pathways, which form the basis of diabetic retinopathy. Many antioxidants have been investigated as possible preventive and therapeutic remedies for diabetic retinopathy. The current study investigated the modulatory effects of trans-resveratrol on streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes mediated changes in the transcription and levels of apoptosis-related proteins and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) of adult male dark Agouti rats. In control rats, 5 mg/kg/d trans-resveratrol administration for 30 days increased gene expressions of tumor suppressor protein 53, Bcl2-associated X protein, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl2), Caspase-3 (CASP3), CASP8 and CASP9, p38αMAPK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase-1 (JNK1), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 (ERK1). On the other hand, diabetes decreased gene expressions of CASP3, CASP8, p38αMAPK, JNK, and ERK1. Trans-resveratrol reversed the inhibited gene expressions of CASP8, p38αMAPK, JNK, and ERK1 to normal control levels in diabetic rats. Trans-resveratrol normalized diabetes-induced upregulation of CASP3 and -9, cytochrome-c, Bcl-2, and ERK1 proteins. In conclusion, Trans-resveratrol-induced alterations in gene expressions do not seem to affect RPE functions as they do not reflect as altered protein functions. Trans-resveratrol imparts its protective effects by normalizing apoptosis-related proteins and ERK1 but does not affect JNK proteins. Trans-resveratrol causes cytostasis in RPE of normal rats by upregulating Bcl2 protein and apoptotic proteins.

Trans-resveratrol imparts disparate effects on transcription of DNA damage sensing/repair pathway genes in euglycemic and hyperglycemic rat testis.

Prevention or repair of DNA damage is critical to inhibit carcinogenesis in living organisms. Using quantitative RT2 Profiler™ PCR array, we investigated if trans-resveratrol could modulate the transcription of DNA damage sensing/repair pathway genes in euglycemic and non-obese type 2 diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rat testis. Trans-resveratrol imparted disparate effects on gene expressions. In euglycemic rats, it downregulated 79% and upregulated 2% of genes. However, in diabetic rats, it upregulated only 2% and downregulated 4% of genes. As such, diabetes upregulated 16% and downregulated 4% of genes. Trans-resveratrol normalized the expression of 9 (60%) out of 15 upregulated genes in diabetic rats. In euglycemic rats, trans-resveratrol inhibited ATM/ATR, DNA damage repair, pro-cell cycle progression, and apoptosis signaling genes. However, it increased Cdkn1a and Sumo1, indicating cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and cytostasis in conjunction with increased DNA double-strand breaks and apoptosis. Diabetes increased DNA damage and apoptosis but did not affect ATM/ATR and double-strand break repair genes, although it increased few single-strand repair genes. Diabetes increased Abl1 and Sirt1, which may be related to apoptosis, but their increase may well suggest the enhanced cell cycle progression and putative carcinogenicity. The transcription of Rad17 and Smc1a increased in diabetic rats indicating G2 phase arrest and increases in a few DNA single-strand breaks repair genes suggesting DNA damage repair. Trans-resveratrol inhibits the cell cycle and causes cell death in euglycemic rat testis but normalizes diabetes-induced genes related to DNA damage and cell cycle control, suggesting its usefulness in maintaining DNA integrity in diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes upregulates metastasis-associated protein 1- phosphorylated histone 2AX signaling in the testis.

Under the sustained hyperglycemic state, oxidative stress induces irreparable DNA double-strand breaks resulting in germ cell death and testicular atrophy. Although molecular mechanisms underlying DNA damage repair in testicular cells are gradually getting unraveled, the effects on DNA double-strand breaks sensing are not precisely known. In this study, using streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic rats, we report that hyperglycemic state for one month or three months does not increase the levels of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) protein- an upstream kinase responsible for the phosphorylation of histone 2AX (Ɣ-H2AX)- after the formation of DNA double-strand breaks. The ATM expression is seminiferous epithelial stage-dependent in spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes, and the pattern of stage-dependent expression varies in diabetic rats, especially after three-month-long diabetes. However, the levels of metastasis-associated protein-1 (MTA1), an essential protein for ATM function, increase although not in a time-dependent manner. The amount of DNA double-strand breaks increases in a time- and stage-dependent manner as indicated by increased Ɣ-H2AX levels, especially in spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes, and in late spermatids in some tubular stages. Although ATM levels do not increase in diabetic rats, protein is expressed more or less in same testicular cells in which Ɣ-H2AX is expressed indicating that ATM might play a vital role in the phosphorylation of the histone. We conclude that diabetes upregulates MTA1-Ɣ-H2AX signaling in diabetic rat testis as a response to time-dependent increases in DNA double-strand breaks.

Lead exposure induces oxidative stress, apoptosis, and attenuates protection of cardiac myocytes against ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Disrupting role of lead toxicity in heart functions and prognosis of cardiovascular diseases is not well known. This study investigated the interference of lead in heart functions and pacing postconditioning-mediated protection to the heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury. Lead exposure decreased the body weight and increased the heart weight in male rats (p < 0.001). Long-term lead exposure (45 days exposure to lead) increased total oxidant levels (p < 0.001) in the heart. Furthermore, lead exposure abrogated the pacing postconditioning-mediated protection from ischemia-reperfusion injury. The latter effect showed an association with reduced total antioxidants levels (p < 0.001). In the short-term study (5 days exposure to lead), pacing postconditioning protected the heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury despite the reduced total antioxidant levels (p < 0.001). Lead toxicity caused a drastic increase in the heart weight in male rats and apoptosis. The induced oxidative stress showed association with the lack of pacing postconditioning-mediated protection of the heart. However, long-term lead exposure eliminated pacing postconditioning-mediated protection of the heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury.

A New Technique to Induce Experimental Myointimal Hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND: Arterial myointimal hyperplasia (MIH) has a significant impact on the long-term outcomes of vascular procedures such as bypass surgery and angioplasty. In this study, we describe a new and innovative technique to induce MIH using a dental flossing cachet in Wistar rats. METHODS: The intimal damage in the common carotid artery was induced by inserting the tip of the dental flossing cachet through the external carotid artery into the common carotid artery and turning it on for 3 rounds of 20 s each (n = 10). After 2 weeks, the rats were anesthetized and the common carotid arteries of the experimental side and the contralateral side (control) were harvested and preserved for histopathological studies. RESULTS: The experimental carotid arteries showed significant intimal proliferation and thickening compared to the controls. The intima/media ratio of the experimental and normal (control) common carotid arteries were 1.274 ± 0.162 and 0.089 ± 0.023 (mean ± SEM), respectively (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This technique is simple, inexpensive, and highly reproducible and it induces sufficient MIH to study this phenomenon in animal models.

Effects of trans-resveratrol on type 1 diabetes-induced inhibition of retinoic acid metabolism pathway in retinal pigment epithelium of Dark Agouti rats.

Genesis and progression of diabetic retinopathy are due to glucotoxicity-induced changes in intracellular milieu in the retina. This study investigated effects of trans-resveratrol on type 1 diabetes-induced changes in gene expressions and retinoic acid metabolism pathway in the RPE (retinal pigment epithelium) of Dark Agouti rats. Microarray analysis showed differential expressions of 833 genes in the RPE of 14 day-long diabetic rats, which increased to 1249 after they received 5 mg/kg trans-resveratrol. Diabetes inhibited the expression of retinoic acid metabolism pathway genes- Lpl, Lrat, RPE65, Rdh5, Rdh10, Rdh12, Rlbp1 and Rbp1 and increased Crabp1. Trans-resveratrol further downregulated the expression of these genes except Lpl, Rdh5, and Rdh12 but upregulated Cyp26b1. RT-PCR showed inhibition of Lrat, Rdh5, and Rdh10 in diabetic rats supplemented with or without trans-resveratrol on 14d. Trans-resveratrol normalized Rdh5 and increased Lrat and Rdh10 transcriptions compared to control and diabetic rats. Trans-resveratrol amplified diabetes-induced inhibition of RPE65, but it inhibited the induced increase in Crabp1 transcription on 30d. Trans-resveratrol reversed the diabetes-induced decrease in Cyp26b1 transcription on 14d and 30d and normalized Cyp3a9 transcription on 30d. Trans-resveratrol normalized the diabetes-induced increase in Rdh5, Rdh10, and Cyp3a9 protein levels, but it further increased Cyp26b1 protein level. In conclusion, diabetes differentially regulates numerous genes in the RPE, including that of retinoic acid metabolism pathway. Trans-resveratrol supplementation is beneficial to normalize long-term effects, but not short-term effects, of diabetes on retinoic acid metabolism pathway in the RPE.

Trans-resveratrol mitigates type 1 diabetes-induced oxidative DNA damage and accumulation of advanced glycation end products in glomeruli and tubules of rat kidneys.

Hyperglycemia induces the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptors (RAGEs), which alter several intracellular signaling mechanisms leading to the onset and progression of diabetic nephropathy. The present study focused on, i) modulatory effects of trans-resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) on structural changes, AGE (NƐ-carboxymethyl-lysine), RAGE, oxidative stress and DNA damage, and apoptosis, and ii) localization of fibrotic changes, AGE, RAGE, 8-oxo-dG and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) in diabetic rat kidneys. Resveratrol (5mg/kg; po, administered during last 45days of 90-day-long hyperglycemic period) administration to streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic male Wistar rats reduced renal hypertrophy and structural changes (tubular atrophy, mesangial expansion or shrinkage, diffuse glomerulonephritis, and fibrosis), AGE accumulation, oxidative stress and DNA damage (8-oxo-dG), 4-HNE, caspase-3, and cleaved-caspase-3, but not the RAGE expression. The AGE accumulated in the mesangium, vascular endothelium, and proximal convoluted tubules and less intensely in distal convoluted tubules of diabetic rat kidneys. The RAGE expression increased in the convoluted tubules and collecting ducts of diabetic rat kidneys, but not in the mesangium. Diabetes increased the expression of 8-oxo-dG in nuclei and cytoplasm of renal cells, and 4-HNE in glomeruli, convoluted tubules, the loops of Henle and collecting ducts. Hyperglycemia-induced AGE-RAGE axis and oxidative stress in turn induced apoptosis in diabetic kidneys. Resveratrol mitigated all diabetic effects except the RAGE expression. In conclusion, Resveratrol significantly alleviates diabetes-induced glycation, oxidative damage, and apoptosis to inhibit the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Resveratrol supplementation may be useful to hinder the onset and progression of diabetic kidney diseases.

Dexamethasone-Induced Intrauterine Growth Restriction Is Associated With Altered Expressions of Metastasis Tumor Antigens and Cell Cycle Control Proteins in Rat Placentas.

Molecular mechanisms affecting placental formation in intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) pregnancies are not clearly understood. Since metastasis tumor antigens (MTAs) MTA1 and MTA2 promote cell proliferation and MTA3 suppresses it, we hypothesized that IUGR alters cell survival/cell death programs driven by placental MTAs. To induce IUGR, pregnant Sprague Dawley rats were given daily intraperitoneal injections of either saline or dexamethasone (0.4 mg/kg) starting from 14 days of gestation (dg) to either 19 dg or 21 dg. Gene and protein expressions of MTA1-3 in the placental basal and labyrinth zones were investigated by real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. We also explored the expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), caspase-3, p53, p21, and ß-catenin. Dexamethasone-induced IUGR resulted in decreased expression of MTA1 in the nuclei of cells in the basal zone. The expression of p21 was increased and that of PCNA was reduced in both placental zones of IUGR rats. Cytoplasmic expression of MTA1 and p53 increased in the labyrinth zone of IUGR placentas in association with an increase in cell death as indicated by an increased caspase-3 expression. The labyrinth zone of IUGR placentas showed a significant reduction in MTA2-MTA3 gene expression and an increase in p53 protein levels. Total MTA3 level increased and ß-catenin level decreased in the labyrinth zone of IUGR placentas associated with a reduction in cell proliferation. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that dexamethasone-induced IUGR is associated with changes in MTA expression, decreased cell proliferation, and increased cell death in placentas.

Dataset of Trans-Resveratrol on diabetes-induced abnormal spermatogenesis, poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) expression in intra-testicular blood vessels, and stage-dependent expression of PARP1 and Sirtuin 1 in the rat testis.

This article contains data related to the article "Effects of Trans-Resveratrol on hyperglycemia-induced abnormal spermatogenesis, DNA damage and alterations in poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase signaling in rat testis" (A. Abdelali, M. Al-Bader, N. Kilarkaje, 2016) [1]. The data are related to Resveratrol on diabetes-induced changes in blood glucose levels, body weights of rats, sperm count and motility, expression of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) in Leydig cells and in intratesticular blood vessels, and stage-dependent expression of PARP1 and Sirtuin 1 (SirT1) in the rat testis. In this experiment, the data were obtained from control, Resveratrol-treated, diabetic and Resveratrol-treated diabetic rats on day 42 after the induction of diabetes. Resveratrol treatment for a group each of normal and diabetic rats started on day 22 and extended up to day 42. The sperm parameters were conducted in samples obtained from the epididymis. The expression of proteins was evaluated by immunohistochemistry by using specific primary antibodies. The data are presented in the form of figures and significance of them has been given in the research article [1].

Effects of Trans-Resveratrol on hyperglycemia-induced abnormal spermatogenesis, DNA damage and alterations in poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase signaling in rat testis.

Diabetes induces oxidative stress, DNA damage and alters several intracellular signaling pathways in organ systems. This study investigated modulatory effects of Trans-Resveratrol on type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM)-induced abnormal spermatogenesis, DNA damage and alterations in poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) signaling in rat testis. Trans-Resveratrol administration (5mg/kg/day, ip) to Streptozotocin-induced T1DM adult male Wistar rats from day 22-42 resulted in recovery of induced oxidative stress, abnormal spermatogenesis and inhibited DNA synthesis, and led to mitigation of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine formation in the testis and spermatozoa, and DNA double-strand breaks in the testis. Trans-Resveratrol aggravated T1DM-induced up-regulation of aminoacyl tRNA synthetase complex-interacting multifunctional protein 2 expression; however, it did not modify the up-regulated total PARP and down-regulated PARP1 expressions, but recovered the decreased SirT1 (Sirtuin 1) levels in T1DM rat testis. Trans-Resveratrol, when given alone, reduced the poly (ADP-ribosyl)ation (pADPr) process in the testis due to an increase in PAR glycohydrolase activity, but when given to T1DM rats it did not affect the pADPr levels. T1DM with or without Trans-Resveratrol did not induce nuclear translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor and the formation of 50 kb DNA breaks, suggesting to the lack of caspase-3-independent cell death called parthanatos. T1DM with or without Trans-Resveratrol did not increase necrotic cell death in the testis. Primary spermatocytes, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells and intra-testicular vessels showed the expression of PARP pathway related proteins. In conclusion, Trans-Resveratrol mitigates T1DM-induced sperm abnormality and DNA damage, but does not significantly modulate PARP signaling pathway, except the SirT1 expression, in the rat testis.

Carbenoxolone exposure during late gestation in rats alters placental expressions of p53 and estrogen receptors.

Gestational carbenoxolone exposure inhibits placental 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11ß-HSD), the physiological barrier for glucocorticoids, which increases fetal exposure to glucocorticoids and induces intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). We hypothesized that carbenoxolone exposure influences the expression of placental estrogen receptors-α and ß (ERα & ERß) and p53 leading to inhibited fetal and placental growth. Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were injected twice daily with either carbenoxolone (10mg/kg; s.c.) or vehicle (control group) from gestational days (dg) 12 onwards. Maternal blood and placentas were collected on 16 dg, 19 dg and 21 dg. The expression of ERα, ERß and p53 were studied in placental basal and labyrinth zones by RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Carbenoxolone did not affect placental and fetal body weights, but ELISA showed decreased estradiol levels on 19 dg and 21 dg, and increased maternal luteinizing hormone levels on all dg. The follicle stimulating hormone levels decreased on 16 dg and 19 dg, and increased on 21 dg. Carbenoxolone decreased ERα mRNA levels on 16 dg in both zones and its protein level on 19 dg in the labyrinth zone. However, carbenoxolone increased ERß mRNA levels on 19 dg and 21 dg and protein levels on 16 dg and 19 dg in the labyrinth zone. The p53 mRNA levels increased on all dg, but its protein levels increased on 21 dg in both zones. In conclusion, carbenoxolone exposure changes placental p53, ERα, ERß expression in favor of cell death but these changes do not induce IUGR in rats.

Proliferation and Migration of Peripheral Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells Are Associated with the Upregulation of Wingless-Related Integration and Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling in Dark Agouti Rats.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the possible migration of proliferating peripheral retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells and their association with differential gene expressions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The RPE layer was obtained from the inner aspect of the eyeball of dark agouti rats (12-13 weeks old) and was mounted on glass slides. The peripheral RPE cell proliferation was evaluated using bromodeoxyuridine immunohistochemistry (n = 10). The cell migration was examined using the Dil tracer technique (n = 40) at the end of weeks 6, 10, 14 and 18. Affymetrix microarray analysis was used to investigate differential gene expressions in peripheral and central RPE cells, which was authenticated by RT-PCR using 4 RPE-specific genes (n = 10). RESULTS: In this study, peripheral RPE cells divided and appeared in clusters, but equatorial and central RPE cells rarely divided. The peripheral RPE cells migrated to the central RPE region in a time-dependent manner up to the end of week 14, but not later. The microarray analysis showed the expression of 9,645 out of a total of 35,220 genes studied. Among the 9,645 genes, 573 were differentially expressed (438 were upregulated and 135 were downregulated) in peripheral RPE cells as compared to central RPE cells. Of these 573 genes, 56 were associated with signaling pathways related to the regulation of cell proliferation, including Pax6, TGFß, BMP and Wnt, and 404 were associated with pathways of cell migration. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, peripheral RPE cells divided and migrated to the central region. This process was associated with differential gene expressions in these cells.

Effects of antioxidants on drugs used against testicular cancer-induced alterations in metastasis-associated protein 1 signaling in the rat testis.

Metastasis-associated protein 1 (MTA1) is involved in tumor growth and metastasis of cancers. Being a component of nucleosome remodeling and histone deacetylase complex, the protein is also associated with DNA damage response pathway. Since the protein is involved in cancer pathology, we first investigated the effects of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) on MTA1 signaling in the testis. Second, since the antioxidants (AOs) have protective effects, we further investigated whether or not an AO cocktail modulates the effects of the drugs. Adult male Sprague Dawley rats (N = 4) were treated either with saline, or AO (α-tocopherol, l-ascorbic acid, zinc, and selenium), or therapeutic dose levels of etoposide (15 mg/kg) and cisplatin (3 mg/kg) from day 1-4 of the week and B (1.5 mg/kg) on the second day of the week, or BEP + AO. The real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that MTA1 and MTA1s (short form) gene expression was downregulated in AO (100% and 100%), BEP (86% and 71%), and BEP + AO (97% and 93%) groups. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry results showed that unnormalized MTA1 protein expression was upregulated in AO (38%) and BEP + AO (34%) groups; however, the MTA1/ß-actin ratio was upregulated in all treated groups (21, 19, and 15%, respectively). In conclusion, the results indicate that both BEP and AO suppress MTA1 and MTA1s transcription, which may render the germ cells to be more prone to apoptosis. However, upregulation of MTA1 protein expression may be related to induced DNA damage. Modulation of MTA1 signaling is a novel mechanism of action of BEP and AO, which may be useful in developing newer anticancer drugs.

Resveratrol alleviates diabetes-induced testicular dysfunction by inhibiting oxidative stress and c-Jun N-terminal kinase signaling in rats.

Diabetes adversely affects reproductive functions in humans and animals. The present study investigated the effects of Resveratrol on diabetes-induced alterations in oxidative stress, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling and apoptosis in the testis. Adult male Wistar rats (13-15 weeks; n=6/group) were segregated into 1) normal control, 2) Resveratrol-treated (5mg/kg; ip; given during last 3 weeks), 3) Streptozotocin-induced diabetic and, 4) Resveratrol-treated diabetic groups, and euthanized on day 42 after the confirmation of diabetes. Resveratrol did not normalize blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. Resveratrol supplementation recovered diabetes-induced decreases in reproductive organ weights, sperm count and motility, intra-testicular levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase and an increase in 4-hydroxynonenal activities (P<0.05). Resveratrol also recovered diabetes-induced increases in JNK signaling pathway proteins, namely, ASK1 (apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1), JNKs (46 and 54 kDa isoforms) and p-JNK to normal control levels (P<0.05). Interestingly, the expression of a down-stream target of ASK1, MKK4 (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4) and its phosphorylated form (p-MKK4) did not change in experimental groups. Resveratrol inhibited diabetes-induced increases in AP-1 (activator protein-1) components, c-Jun and ATF2 (activating transcription factor 2), but not their phosphorylated forms, to normal control levels (P<0.05). Further, Resveratrol inhibited diabetes-induced increase in cleaved-caspase-3 to normal control levels. In conclusion, Resveratrol alleviates diabetes-induced apoptosis in testis by modulating oxidative stress, JNK signaling pathway and caspase-3 activities, but not by inhibiting hyperglycemia, in rats. These results suggest that Resveratrol supplementation may be a useful strategy to treat diabetes-induced testicular dysfunction.