ABSTRACT
Heat stress from varicocele can heighten oxidative stress in the testes, impacting sperm function and male fertility. Antioxidant therapy is explored as a remedy for varicocele, while dietary factors like processed foods, sugar, and saturated fats correlate with male infertility. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs), generated through glycation processes, can provoke oxidative stress, inflammation, and adverse health consequences. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a versatile antioxidant, may alleviate oxidative stress and counteract the impact of AGEs, potentially by enhancing glucose reabsorption. Alagebrium chloride (ALT711), an anti-AGE compound, exhibits promise in cardiovascular disease by disrupting AGE cross-links. This study investigates the effects of ALA and ALT-711 on testicular function in varicocele and AGEs animal models. Both AGE and varicocele were found to alter the natural trends, leading to abnormal patterns in sperm parameters, testicular functional tests, as well as the expression of CML, RAGE, and TNF-α proteins. However, the administration of ALA or ALT711 helped mitigate these effects. While ALA demonstrated a slightly greater overall benefit compared to ALT, the difference was not statistically significant.
ABSTRACT
During epithelial to mesenchymal transition, the ability of cancer cells to transform and metastasize is primarily determined by N-cadherin-mediated migration and invasion. This study aimed to evaluate whether the N-cadherin promoter can induce diphtheria toxin expression as a suicide gene in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)-induced cancer cells and whether this can be used as potential gene therapy. To investigate the expression of diphtheria toxin under the N-cadherin promoter, the promoter was synthesized, and was cloned upstream of diphtheria toxin in a pGL3-Basic vector. The A-549 cells was transfected by electroporation. After induction of EMT by TGF-ß and hypoxia treatment, the relative expression of diphtheria toxin, mesenchymal genes such as N-cadherin and Vimentin, and epithelial genes such as E-cadherin and ß-catenin were measured by real-time PCR. MTT assay was also performed to measure cytotoxicity. Finally, cell motility was assessed by the Scratch test. After induction of EMT in transfected cells, the expression of mesenchymal markers such as Vimentin and N-cadherin significantly decreased, and the expression of ß-catenin increased. In addition, the MTT assay showed promising toxicity results after induction of EMT with TGF-ß in transfected cells, but toxicity was less effective in hypoxia. The scratch test results also showed that cell movement was successfully prevented in EMT-transfected cells and thus confirmed EMT occlusion. Our findings indicate that by using structures containing diphtheria toxin downstream of a specific EMT promoter such as the N-cadherin promoter, the introduced toxin can kill specifically and block EMT in cancer cells.
Subject(s)
Cadherins , Diphtheria Toxin , Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition , Promoter Regions, Genetic , Humans , A549 Cells , Antigens, CD/genetics , Antigens, CD/metabolism , beta Catenin/metabolism , beta Catenin/genetics , Cadherins/genetics , Cadherins/metabolism , Cell Movement/genetics , Cell Movement/drug effects , Diphtheria Toxin/genetics , Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Genes, Transgenic, Suicide , Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics , Vimentin/genetics , Vimentin/metabolismABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Commercial Minoxidil (MXD) is commonly used as a vasodilator agent of hair follicles for providing direct dermal papilla cell proliferation and consequently enhancing the rate of hair growth. OBJECTIVE: The current study attempted to improve the bioactivity and water solubility of MXD by producing nanocrystal structures and investigating the obtained hair growthstimulating activity on C57BL/6 mice. METHOD: The MXD nanoparticles (MXD-NPs) were prepared through a bead mill and ultrasonic process and characterized by DLS, XRD, UV-Vis, FTIR, FESEM, TEM, and Zeta-potential techniques. RESULT: The cytotoxicity of MXD-NPs was studied on human dermal fibroblast (HDF) by MTT assay. Lastly, we analyzed the comparative hair growth inductive activity of certain MXD-NPs concentrations on C57BL/6 mice. The stabled MXD-NPs (-46 mV, 21.9 nm) caused a significant increase in the hair growth rate of C57BL/6 mice by running a safe site-specific delivery mechanism on the targeted pilosebaceous follicles when compared to MXD. CONCLUSION: The MXD-NPs-receiving mice exhibited a greater rate of anagen/telogen follicular when compared with MXD-treated types, which verified the improvement of their hair re-growing and follicular-stimulative activities. Therefore, these outcomes confirmed the potential of MXD-NPs for substituting its commercial solution format as a safe and efficient iso-formulation structure.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Some reports have indicated that conditioned medium from growing mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) provides a supportive condition for small follicles growing, oocyte maturation, and following embryo growth. The aim of this study is assessing in vitro maturation (IVM) and consequent in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome of immature mouse oocytes using human embryonic stem cells conditioned medium (HESCM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, 240 germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes were took from NMRI female mice, aged 4-6 weeks, 48 hours before injection of 5 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG). 120 GV oocytes without cumulus cells were cultured in each of the groups. 120 GV were cultured in HESCM as test groups and also 120 GV cultured in human embryonic stem cells medium (HESM) as control groups. After evaluating the metaphase II (MII) oocyte maturation rate at 8, 16 and 24 hours, the MII oocytes subsequently were fertilized in vitro and the two-cell embryo development rate was recorded at days 1, 2, and 3. Statistical analysis was performed by using the generalized estimating equations (GEE) method that calculated their rate ratio. RESULTS: Our data indicated there are significant differences between the maturation rates in HESCM and HESM (P=0.004), also the two-cell embryo development was significant between two culture media (P=0.00). CONCLUSION: Similar to some other studies, the secretome of the HESCM showed a significant impact on the IVM outcomes in mice.
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OBJECTIVE: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex multifactorial neuro-inflammatory disorder. This complexity arises from the evidence suggesting that MS is developed by interacting with environmental and genetic factors. This study aimed to evaluate the miR-106a, miR-125b, and miR330- expression levels in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. The miRNAs' impact on TNFSF4 and Sp1 genes through the NF-кB/TNF-α signaling pathway was analyzed by measuring the expression levels in case and controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this in silico-experimental study, we evaluated the association of miR-106a, miR- 125b, and miR330- with TNFSF4 and SP1 gene expression levels in 60 RRMS patients and 30 healthy controls by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: The expression levels of miR-330, miR-106a, and miR125-b in blood samples of RRMS patients were predominantly reduced. The expression of TNFSF4 in patients demonstrated a significant enhancement, in contrast to the diminishing Sp1 gene expression level in controls. CONCLUSION: Our ï¬ndings indicated an association between miR-106a and miR-330 and miR125-b expression and RRMS in our study population. Our data suggested that the miR106-a, miR125-b, and mir330- expression are correlated with TNFSF4 and Sp1 gene expression levels.
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Objective: Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a heat-activated nonselective cation channel that plays important role in the spermatogenesis, capacitation, acrosome reaction and sperm/oocyte fusion. Considering the high testicular temperature and oxidative stress in varicocele condition, we aimed to assess expression of TRPV1 in sperm of infertile men. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, twenty-five men with varicocele (grade II and III) as well as twentyfive fertile were recruited. Sperm parameters, protamine deficiency (Chromomycin A3), DNA damage (TUNEL), lipid peroxidation (BODIPY), TRPV1 gene expression (real time polymerase chain reaction), TRPV1 protein (flowcytometry and immunocytochemical techniques), and acrosome reaction were assessed between fertile and varicocele groups. Results: We observed a significant decrease in the sperm parameters, and also, an increased DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, and protamine deficiency in varicocele group. Although, the mRNA expression of TRPV1 was similar between varicocele and fertile groups, its expression at the protein level was significantly decreased in the varicocele group in comparison with fertile group. Additionally, the TRPV1 localization was changed from the equatorial region to the acrosomal region of the head, especially in the acrosomal region, which was more significant in the fertile group than the varicocele group after inducing acrosome reaction. Conclusion: In addition to the quality of sperm parameters, and chromatin integrity that were lower significantly in varicocele group, the expression of TRPV1 protein was also lower in varicocele condition that could be associated with reduced capacitation, acrosome reaction and sperm/oocyte fusion and thereby infertility.
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Unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) composed almost half of all diagnosed miscarriage cases. As the apoptosis pathway is involved in the pregnancy process the present investigation aimed to assess the differential expression of the BCL-2 gene, SRA lncRNA, miR-361-3p in unexplained RPL patients. In this study, RNA was isolated from 50 blood samples of people with a history of RPL, and 50 blood samples of people with healthy fertility. After cDNA synthesis from these samples, alterations in the expression levels of the above-mentioned genes were examined by Real-Time PCR. Our results showed that the expression of BCL-2 and lncRNA SRA was significantly higher in the blood samples of RPL patients than in controls, while the expression of miR-361-3p was significantly downregulated. Besides, there were significant correlations between the changes in the expression of lncRNA SRA and miR-361-3p with BCL-2, in positive and negative directions, respectively. Also, miR-361-3p presented as a good diagnostic marker with the highest AUC value to discriminate between RPL and the healthy control subjects. These results proposed that ncRNAs may have a significant role in the regulation of apoptosis relates genes expression in RPL.
Subject(s)
Abortion, Habitual , MicroRNAs , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics , RNA, Long Noncoding , Abortion, Habitual/genetics , Apoptosis/genetics , Female , Genes, bcl-2 , Humans , MicroRNAs/genetics , MicroRNAs/metabolism , Pregnancy , RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics , RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolismABSTRACT
Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) has been utilized in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for immobilization and manipulation of spermatozoa. This study aims to determine the suitable time that sperm cells could be safely exposed to PVP during ICSI procedure. Twenty-five normal semen samples were prepared using the swim-up method and then were exposed to 10% PVP at different time intervals (15, 30 and 60 min). The effect of PVP on sperm parameters (viability and morphology), DNA fragmentation index (sperm chromatin dispersion test), chromatin quality (aniline blue, toluidine blue and chromomycin A3 staining), acrosome reaction, mitochondrial membrane potential and sperm ultrastructure was assessed at different time intervals. Our results showed that prolonged sperm exposure in PVP for 15, 30 and 60 min significantly affects viability and morphology with a concomitant increase in DNA fragmentation and abnormal chromatin structure, while the percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa was additionally increased. In addition, the spermatozoa with high mitochondrial membrane potential were significantly decreased compared to unexposed spermatozoa to PVP. In conclusion, the detrimental effects of PVP were increased significantly following sperm exposure in PVP after 15 min. Therefore, the sperm exposure to PVP should be limited to less than 15 min during ICSI procedure.
Subject(s)
Povidone , Spermatozoa , Acrosome Reaction , Chromatin , DNA Fragmentation , Humans , Male , Povidone/toxicity , Sperm MotilityABSTRACT
Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder in which dopaminergic neurons located in the substantia nigra are gradually lost. Currently, combined treatment strategies are receiving increasing attention as potential therapeutic approaches for Parkinson's disease. This study aimed to evaluate the potential effects of exosomes released from SH-Sy5y cells and the liposomal form of L-dopa on Parkinson's rat models. Twenty-five male Wistar albino rats, in five groups, were included in this study. Parkinson's disease was induced through microinjection of 6-OHDA (2.5 mg/mL) into the right substantia nigra. The exosomes released from the SH-Sy5y cell line were isolated and administered (0.2 µg/5 µL) alone or in combination with the liposomal form of L-Dopa (80 mg/kg) to the defined model groups. Behavioral tests and molecular assays were conducted to evaluate the expression levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2). The rats in the groups receiving the combined liposomal form of L-Dopa and exosome treatment and the liposomal form of L-Dopa alone showed a significant improvement in their movement ability (p < 0.05). At molecular levels, these two groups also exhibited significant increases in Th (0.005 ± 0.001) and Drd2 (0.002 ± 0.0001) expression compared to controls (p < 0.05). The observed alterations of Th and Drd2 expression were not statistically significant in exosome- and L-Dopa-treated groups. The current study shows that exosome-derived neuronal cells and liposomal form of L-Dopa can protect different cells against pathological complications such as Parkinson's disease.
Subject(s)
Antiparkinson Agents/therapeutic use , Exosomes/metabolism , Levodopa/therapeutic use , Parkinson Disease/drug therapy , Receptors, Dopamine D2/metabolism , Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/metabolism , Animals , Antiparkinson Agents/administration & dosage , Antiparkinson Agents/pharmacology , Cell Line, Tumor , Humans , Levodopa/administration & dosage , Levodopa/pharmacology , Liposomes/chemistry , Male , Oxidopamine/toxicity , Parkinson Disease/etiology , Parkinson Disease/metabolism , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Signal Transduction , Substantia Nigra/drug effects , Substantia Nigra/metabolismABSTRACT
Hearing loss (HL) is one of the most common sensory defects affecting more than 466 million individuals worldwide. It is clinically and genetically heterogeneous with over 120 genes causing non-syndromic HL identified to date. Here, we performed exome sequencing (ES) on a cohort of Iranian families with no disease-causing variants in known deafness-associated genes after screening with a targeted gene panel. We identified likely causal variants in 20 out of 71 families screened. Fifteen families segregated variants in known deafness-associated genes. Eight families segregated variants in novel candidate genes for HL: DBH, TOP3A, COX18, USP31, TCF19, SCP2, TENM1, and CARMIL1. In the three of these families, intrafamilial locus heterogeneity was observed with variants in both known and novel candidate genes. In aggregate, we were able to identify the underlying genetic cause of HL in nearly 30% of our study cohort using ES. This study corroborates the observation that high-throughput DNA sequencing in populations with high rates of consanguineous marriages represents a more appropriate strategy to elucidate the genetic etiology of heterogeneous conditions such as HL.
Subject(s)
Exome/genetics , Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics , Hearing Loss/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Cohort Studies , Female , High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing/methods , Humans , Iran , Male , Middle Aged , Mutation/genetics , Pedigree , Exome Sequencing/methods , Young AdultABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the effect of low-intensity endurance training (LIET) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on sperm parameters, chromatin status, and oxidative stress in a rat model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this experimental study, we divided 40 male Wistar rats into four groups (control, sham, HIIT and LIET) according to diet treatment and exercise training protocol. Liver triglycerides, sperm parameters, sperm lipid peroxidation (BODIPY C11 probe) and chromatin status [chromomycin A3 (CMA3)], and acridine orange [AO] staining) were assessed in these groups at the end of the study. RESULTS: The mean liver triglyceride values significantly improved in both the LIET and HIIT groups compared to the control and sham groups. The mean of testicular volume, sperm concentration, motility, intensity of sperm lipid peroxidation and DNA damage were similar within groups. While, the mean percentage of sperm lipid peroxidation and protamine deficiency were significantly higher in the LIET and HIIT groups compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Both LIET and HIIT in the rat NAFLD model had no adverse effects on testicular morphometric parameters, sperm concentration, motility, and DNA integrity. However, the mean sperm lipid peroxidation and protamine deficiency were significantly higher in both exercise groups. Our study suggests that exercise or antioxidant supplementation could minimise the adverse effects of oxidant by-products of exercise.
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Background: Human embryonic stem cell-mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (hESCs-MSCs) open a new insight into future cell therapy applications, due to their unique characteristics, including immunomodulatory features, proliferation, and differentiation. Methods: Herein, hESCs-MSCs were characterized by immunofluorescence technique with CD105 and FIBRONECTIN as markers and FIBRONECTIN, VIMENTIN, CD10, CD105, and CD14 genes using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technique. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting was performed for CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD105 markers. Moreover, these fibroblast-like cells, due to multipotent characteristics, differentiated to the osteoblast. Results: MSCs were derived from diploid and triploid hESC lines using sequential three dimensional and two dimensional cultures and characterized with the specific markers. Immunofluorescence showed the expression of FIBRONECTIN and CD105 in hESCs-MSCs. Flow cytometry data indicated no significant difference in the expression of MSC markers after 6 and 13 passages. Interestingly, gene expression profiles revealed slight differences between MSCs from diploid and triploid hESCs. hESCs-MSCs displayed osteogenic differentiation capacity, which was confirmed by Alizarin red staining. Cobnclusion: Our findings reveal that both diploid and triploid hESC lines are capable of forming MSCs; however, there are some differences in their gene expression profiles. Generation of MSCs from hESCs, as a non-invasive procedure in large scale, will lend itself for the future cell-based therapeutic applications.
Subject(s)
Diploidy , Gene Expression Profiling , Human Embryonic Stem Cells/cytology , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism , Triploidy , Cell Differentiation/genetics , Cell Line , Gene Expression Regulation , Humans , Osteogenesis/geneticsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In recent years, considerable attention has been paid to the role of microRNAs (miRs) as biomarkers in type 2 diabetes (T2D). The aim of the study was to evaluate the expression levels of miR-15a and miR-222 in diabetic, pre-diabetic, and healthy individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety individuals, who were referred to the Yazd diabetic center, were enrolled in this study and then classified into three groups as healthy, pre-T2D, and diabetic based on the clinical manifestations. Real-time PCR was performed to explore miRs expression in the plasma samples of the studied population. The correlation between the biochemical characteristic and the expression of these miRs as well as specificity and sensitivity of different clinical markers in healthy and pre-diabetic groups was evaluated. RESULTS: miR-222 expression was significantly upregulated in the pre-T2D cases compared to the control subjects (P<0.001), while no significant difference was found between the pre-T2D and T2D groups (P<0.05). The expression of miR-15a was statistically downregulated in the pre-T2D and T2D subjects (P<0.05). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of miR-15a expression with a cutoff point of 1.12 resulted in the area under the curve (AUC) of 85% (95% CI 0.865-0.912; P<0.001) with 84% and 85% sensitivity and specificity, respectively. Similarly, for miR-222, the cutoff point of 4.03 and AUC of 86% (95% CI 0.875-0.943; P<0.001) discriminated against the pre-T2D and control subjects via the sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 87%, respectively. Moreover, miR-15a values showed a negative correlation with FG (R=-0.32, P=0.005); however, miR-222 values were positively correlated with FG (R=0.25, P=0.03) in the pre-T2D group. Furthermore, miR-222 values were correlated with OGTT in the pre-T2D group (R=0.27, P=0.001). In addition, LDL-C had a negative correlation with miR-222 values in the pre-T2D group (R=-0.23, P=0.02). CONCLUSION: This study indicated that the plasma expression levels of miR-222 and miR-15a can be considered as non-invasive, fast tools to separate the pre-T2D individuals from their healthy counterparts. Accordingly, this information could be used to predict the development of the disease as well as a direction for optimal therapy, thus refining outcomes in patients with diabetes.
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BACKGROUND: Testicular cell conditioned medium (TCCM) has been shown to induce female germ cell development In Vitro from embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Testicular cells (TCs) secrete a variety of growth factors such as growth differentiation factor-9 (GDF-9), bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP-4), stem cell factor (SCF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and other, that could improve oocyte maturation. Here we have investigated the effect of human TCCM (hTCCM) on in vitro maturation (IVM) and morphology of mouse oocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, 360 germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes were obtained from NMRI mice, aged 4-6 weeks that had received 5 IU pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG) 48 hours before. GV oocytes were subjected to IVM. 120 GV oocytes were cultured in each medium; hTCCM as the test group, DMEM + 20%FBS as the control group and Ham's F10 + HFF medium as the sham group. The rates of the IVM and perivitelline space (PVS) changes were recorded at 8, 16 and 24 hours after culture. The metaphase II (MII) oocytes were subjected for in vitro fertilization (IVF) and the fertilization rate was evaluated after 1, 2, and 3 days. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between the maturation rates in hTCCM (31.67% MII) and the control [0% MII, P<0.05, (7.5% MI, 52.5% deg. and 40%GV)] groups but there was not a significant difference between the maturation rates in hTCCM and the sham group (53.33% MII, P>0.05). IVF success rate for MII oocytes obtained from IVM in the hTCCM group was 28.94% (n=11). Our data showed that hTCCM is an effective medium for GV oocyte growth and maturation compared to the control medium. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that TCCM supports oocyte IVM in mice and affect oocyte morphology.
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BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a multifactorial disease that may be caused by the interaction between environmental and genetic risk factors. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are known to participate in detoxification and metabolism of a wide range of xenobiotic compounds and oxidative stress products. Considering the interaction between environmental and genetic factors in CAD, we investigated the genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 in the Iranian population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two hundred and forty-four CAD cases and 281 healthy controls were studied. The genotype of GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genes was determined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) analysis was also carried out to analyze the gene-gene and gene-environment interaction. RESULTS: The genotype and allele distribution of the three variations were not significantly different between CAD patients and controls (p > 0.05). The subgroup analysis revealed no significant gene-gene interactions or gene-gene combination effects linked to CAD susceptibility. However, MDR analysis selected the GSTM, GSTT pairwise and three genes combination models associated with the susceptibility to CAD. In addition, its result revealed that smoking in combination with GSTM1 (two-way) and GSTT, GSTP (three-way) genes might increase the risk of CAD. Furthermore, a significant interaction between GSTT1-null polymorphism and dyslipidemia was found in multivariable logistic regression analyses in the gene-environmental interactions on CAD risk. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 genetic variations are not directly associated with the susceptibility to CAD in Iranian patients. Due to MDR results, there might be a non-linear association between interactions of two or three genes and smoking with CAD. There is also an association between CAD risk factors and GST variations, which requires supplementary confirmation with larger sample sizes.
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Erythrocyte lysing buffer (ELB) facilitates the search for spermatozoa by eliminating erythrocytes in testicular suspension used during the ICSI procedure. This study investigates the effects of ELB on sperm quality parameters, sperm chromatin and sperm DNA fragmentation. Normal ejaculations were used as the model for testicular spermatozoa in this study. After swim-up, the sperm pellets were divided into two parts. Part I, the control (Group A), was diluted with culture media; and Part II, the intervention group (Group B), was diluted with ELB for 10 min. After centrifugation in both groups, the sperm pellets were re-suspended with culture media. The samples were immediately evaluated (A0 and B0) and then evaluated again after 1 hr (A1 and B1). The results indicated ELB decreased the progressive motility (81.60 ± 8.69 vs. 64.69 ± 19.08) and viability (97.62 ± 3.02 vs. 85.91 ± 11.46), in Group A and B, respectively, both immediately and 1 hr after preparation. Also, ELB engendered a significant increase in the DNA fragmentation index both immediately (9.68 ± 3.55 vs. 14.38 ± 6.52) and after 1 hr (10.37 ± 5.03 vs. 19.38 ± 6.39). In conclusion, ELB may damage sperm cells, shown by a decreased motility and viability, and it increased DNA fragmentation. Therefore, the use of ELB in testicular semen handling should be discouraged.
Subject(s)
Sperm Motility , Spermatozoa , Chromatin , DNA Fragmentation , Erythrocytes , Humans , Male , Semen AnalysisABSTRACT
The use of bioactive scaffolds in tissue engineering has a significant effect on the damaged tissue healing by an increase in speed and quality of the process. Herein, electrospinning was applied to fabricate composite nanofibrous scaffolds by Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) and Polyurethane (PU) with and without poly-phosphate (poly-P). Scaffolds were characterized morphologically by scanning electron microscope (SEM), and their biocompatibility was also investigated by SEM, protein adsorption, cell attachment and survival assays. The applicability of the scaffolds for bladder tissue engineering was also evaluated by culturing mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on the scaffolds and their differentiation into smooth muscle cell (SMC) was studied at the gene and protein levels. The results demonstrated that scaffold biocompatibility was increased significantly by loading poly-P. SMC related gene and protein expression level in MSCs cultured on poly-P-loaded scaffold was also increased significantly compared to those cells cultured on empty scaffold. It can be concluded that poly-P hasn't also increased scaffold biocompatibility, but also SMC differentiation potential of MSCs was also increased while cultured on the poly-P containing scaffold compared to the empty scaffold. Taken together, our study showed that PLGA-PU-poly-P alone and in combination with MSCs has a promising potential for support urinary bladder smooth muscle tissue engineering.
Subject(s)
Cell Differentiation/drug effects , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology , Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/cytology , Nanofibers/chemistry , Polylactic Acid-Polyglycolic Acid Copolymer/chemistry , Polyphosphates/pharmacology , Polyurethanes/chemistry , Tissue Scaffolds/chemistry , Adsorption , Cell Separation , Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects , Humans , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/drug effects , Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/drug effects , Nanofibers/ultrastructureABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate polymorphisms of sperm protamine genes and their effects on the result of CMA3 staining in varicocele men. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a case control study, 128 patients with male infertility due to varicocele and 128 controls were recruited. Polymorphisms of PRM1 and PRM2 genes in extracted DNA samples were assessed by PCR-SSCP and sequencing. Protamine deficiency was also indirectly estimated by CMA3 staining. RESULT: Nine different variants including six variants in PRM1 gene and three variants in PRM2 gene were found among varicocele patients. The results showed that sperm count, motility and morphology were significantly different between control group without gene variations and varicocele group who had several variations in their protamine genes (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Therefore, PRM1 and PRM2 variations in varicocele patients are associated with the production of spermatozoa with more protamine deficiency and this is one of the possible causes of infertility due to varicocele
OBJETIVOS: El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los polimorfismos de los genes de la protamina espermática y sus efectos sobre el resultado de la tinción CMA3 en varones con varicocele. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: En un estudio de casos y controles, se reclutó a 128 varones con infertilidad por varicocele y 128 controles. Los polimorfismos de los genes PRM1 y PRM2 en muestras de ADN extraídas se evaluaron mediante PCR-SSCP y se realizó su secuenciación. La deficiencia de protamina también se estimó indirectamente mediante tinción CMA3. RESULTADO: Se encontraron 9 variantes diferentes, incluidas 6 variantes en el gen PRM1 y 3 variantes en el gen PRM2 entre los pacientes con varicocele. Los resultados mostraron que el recuento de espermatozoides, la movilidad y la morfología eran considerablemente diferentes entre el grupo de control sin variaciones genéticas y el grupo de varicocele que presentaba algunas variaciones en sus genes de protamina (p < 0,05). CONCLUSIÓN: Por tanto, las variaciones de PRM1 y PRM2 en los pacientes con varicocele están asociadas con la producción de espermatozoides con más deficiencia de protamina y esta es una de las posibles causas de infertilidad debida al varicocele
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Adult , Varicocele/complications , Varicocele/genetics , Polymorphism, Genetic , Infertility, Male/etiology , Infertility, Male/genetics , Protamines/genetics , Case-Control Studies , Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational , Staining and LabelingABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: To increase the results of infertility treatment, many efforts have been made to improve the treatment methods. As assisted reproductive technology is mainly using cell culture methods, one of the approaches to improve this technology is conditioned medium from different sources. It is desirable to apply in vitro maturation (IVM) and use oocytes from normal cycles instead of stimulating ovulation. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of human cumulus cell condition medium (hCCCM) on the IVM of immature mouse oocytes and morphology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, 240 germinal vesile oocytes were collected from four-six wk-old mice after 48 hr of 5IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) injection and cultured in hCCCM (test group, n = 120) and DMEM + 20% FBS (control group, n = 120). The IVM rates and changes in perivitelline space (PVS) and shape were investigated at 8, 16, and 24 hr following the culture. The mature (MII) oocytes were subjected to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and the fertilization rate was assessed in three days. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed between the maturation rates in the hCCCM and control groups (24.16% vs 0%; p = 0.001), as well as morphologic changes between the two groups (p = 0.04, p = 0.05). The development rate for MII oocytes attained from IVM in the hCCCM group was 27.58% (2-cell) and 6.89% (4-cell). Data displayed that hCCCM is an effective medium for oocytes maturation compared to the control medium. CONCLUSION: hCCCM supports oocyte in vitro growth and maturation. Moreover, hCCCM changes the oocyte shape and size of perivitelline space.