Molecular mechanism behind methamphetamine-induced damages in testicular tissue: Evidences for oxidative stress, autophagy, and apoptosis.

Methamphetamine (METH) is shown to cause massive oxidative stress and apoptosis in testicular tissue. This study attempted to investigate the possible effects of METH chronic administration on the crosstalk between oxidative DNA damage (ODD), the ODD repairing process, autophagy, and apoptosis in testicular tissue. For this purpose, 20 rats were divided into control and METH (2.5 mg/kg)-received groups (N = 10 rats/group). Following 7 days, the tubular differentiation (TDI) and spermiogenesis (SPI) indices, histomorphometric alterations, intracytoplasmic carbohydrate and lipid storage in germ and Sertoli cells along with expression levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), as a key element in regulating base excision repair (BER) enzymes expression/activity were assessed. Moreover, the expression levels of uracil-DNA (UDG) and methylpurine (MPG) DNA glycosylases and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3-I/II), and apoptotic cells distribution in testicular tissue were evaluated. Observations revealed that METH significantly suppressed spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis development, altered intracytoplasmic carbohydrate and lipid storage, increased ODD, and suppressed the PCNA expression compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, METH-received animals exhibited a remarkable (p < 0.05) reduction in UDG and MPG, increment in LC3-I/II expressions, and apoptotic cells distribution. In conclusion, METH consumption results in a failed intracytoplasmic glucose storage (primary metabolites of Sertoli and germ cells) and oxidative stress (OS) circumstance in the testicular tissue. Further, METH can induce ODD by suppressing the expression levels of PCNA and BER enzymes, UDG and MPG. Finally, we demonstrated that METH-induced massive ODD is capable of initiating autophagy signalling that leads to progressive apoptosis in the testicular tissue.

COVID-19 disrupts the blood-testis barrier through the induction of inflammatory cytokines and disruption of junctional proteins.

OBJECTIVE: Junctional proteins are the most important component of the blood-testis barrier and maintaining the integrity of this barrier is essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility. The present study elucidated the effect of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the blood-testis barrier (BTB) in patients who died from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) complications. METHODS: In this study, lung and testis tissue was collected from autopsies of COVID-19 positive (n = 10) and negative men (n = 10) and was taken for stereology, immunocytochemistry, and RNA extraction. RESULTS: Evaluation of the lung tissue showed that the SARS-CoV-2 infection caused extensive damage to the lung tissue and also increases inflammation in testicular tissue and destruction of the testicular blood barrier. Autopsied testicular specimens of COVID-19 showed that COVID-19 infection significantly changes the spatial arrangement of testicular cells and notably decreased the number of Sertoli cells. Moreover, the immunohistochemistry results showed a significant reduction in the protein expression of occluding, claudin-11, and connexin-43 in the COVID-19 group. In addition, we also observed a remarkable enhancement in protein expression of CD68 in the testes of the COVID-19 group in comparison with the control group. Furthermore, the result showed that the expression of TNF-α, IL1ß, and IL6 was significantly increased in COVID-19 cases as well as the expression of occludin, claudin-11, and connexin-43 was decreased in COVID-19 cases. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the present study demonstrated that SARS-CoV-2 could induce the up-regulation of the pro-inflammatory cytokine and down-regulation of junctional proteins of the BTB, which can disrupt BTB and ultimately impair spermatogenesis.

Coronavirus disease and male fertility: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Based on the information from other SARS-CoV infections in the patients recovered from COVID-19, particularly cases in the reproductive age, gonadal function evaluation and andrological consultation comprising semen analysis are recommended. MAIN BODY: Based on the COVID-19 infected patients' seminal fluid analyses, SARS-CoV-2 may employ the male reproductive system as a transmission pathway. It has been also demonstrated that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) can be strongly expressed at the protein levels in the testicular cells. The high expression of ACE2 in testes suggests that testes in the COVID-19 infected males can have an important role in the viral persistence and this subject needs further investigations. Several researchers have examined males recovered from COVID-19, but still, large-scale experiments are needed to determine the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on the male reproductive system as well as viral transmission risk. CONCLUSION: Comprehensive researches are required to figure out the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in seminal fluid as well as its sexual transmissibility and impact on sperm characteristics.

Long-Term Glucose Restriction with or without ß-Hydroxybutyrate Enrichment Distinctively Alters Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition-Related Signalings in Ovarian Cancer Cells.

The beneficial impacts of the ketogenic diet and metabolic reprograming were recently reported for ovarian cancer patients. In this study, the effects of glucose restriction with or without beta-hydroxybutyrate (bHB) enrichment were studied in drug-resistant CD133high A2780CP and CD133low SK-OV-3 ovarian cancer cells to scrutinize the impact of experimental ketosis on ATP production, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), and related signaling pathways including Wnt, Hippo, and Hedgehog. Cells were adapted and maintained for a month with restricted levels of glucose (250 mg/l) with or without the therapeutic concentration of bHB (5 mM). Quantitative PCR, Western blot analysis, flow cytometry, chemiluminescence, and wound healing assay were used in this study. Glucose restriction and bHB enrichment reduced the stemness marker and diminished In Vitro migration in both cell lines. Glucose restriction significantly reduced ATP levels in both cells, but bHB enrichment was partially compensated for the ATP levels solely in SK-OV-3 cells. Glucose restriction mainly inhibited the Wnt pathway in the CD133high A2780CP cells, but the Hedgehog pathway was the main target in CD133low SK-OV-3 cells. In Conclusion, Prior targeted evaluations of key genes' expression would help to predict the distinctive impacts of metabolic fuels and to optimize the efficacy of ketogenic diets.

Exposure to methamphetamine exacerbates motor activities and alters circular RNA profile of cerebellum.

Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant drug that acts on monoaminergic systems in the brain. There are several lines of evidence indicating the devastating effects of addictive drugs on the cerebellum. Moreover, it was shown that circular RNAs (circRNAs) have an important role in neurodegenerative disorders. Herein, we explored the effects of METH on neuronal degeneration, motor coordination and muscle activity. We also inspected METH-mediated changes in circRNA expression profiling in the cerebellum. Accordingly, exposure to METH triggered destructive effects on the coordination of movement of rats along with disturbed muscle activity. The fluorescent staining exhibited a significant increase in neurodegeneration in the cerebellum under the influence of METH. Besides, the number of calbindin positive Purkinje cells noticeably declined in METH-treated group compared with the control. In this regard, we identified and characterized differentially expressed (DE) circRNAs in the cerebellum under METH treatment, mainly located in dendritic spines. Moreover, based on feature and function analyzes of host genes of DE circRNAs, a large number of these genes were essentially involved in cell growth, death, inflammation and oxidative metabolism. Taken together, this data might imply the potential involvement of circRNAs in METH neurotoxicity as well as motor activity deficits.

Chronic administration of methylphenidate did not affect memory and GDNF levels but increase astrogliosis in adult male rat's hippocampus.

BACKGROUND: ADHD is the most common developmental disorder affecting approximately three to seven percent of school-aged children and 2.5 percent of adults worldwide. The drug of choice for the pharmacotherapy of ADHD is Methylphenidate (MPH). However, there is growing concerns about side effects resulting from its potential interference with brain anatomical and behavioral development. AIM: This article focuses on the adverse effects of MPH on the rat's hippocampus. METHODS: The animals received an oral dose of 5 mg/kg MPH or normal saline, as the vehicle, on a daily basis for 30 days. Y-maze test, passive avoidance, Barnes maze and field potential recording were conducted. Western blot for detecting the neurotrophic factor of GDNF and immunohistochemistry of astrogliosis were performed. RESULTS: Our results revealed that MPH treatment suppressed the willingness of rats to explore new environments. Also, it had no effect on improving long-term potentiation, long-term memory and spatial memory in the MPH group as opposed to the control group. There was also a significant increase of astrogliosis in the treated rats' hippocampi. On the other hand, there was not a significant relationship between MPH administration and the decrement of the GDNF level. CONCLUSION: We encourage the need to conduct more research on the adverse effects of MPH on the brain.

Differential gene expression and stereological analyses of the cerebellum following methamphetamine exposure.

Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive psychostimulant that profoundly aimed at monoaminergic systems in the brain. Despite the leading role of cerebellum in sensorimotor control as well as augmented locomotor activity under the influence of METH, there are few studies examining the effect of METH administration on gene expression profiling and structural consequences in the cerebellar region. Thus, we sought to explore the effects of METH on the cerebellum, from gene expression changes to structural alterations. In this respect, we investigated genome-wide mRNA expression using high throughput RNA-seq technology and confirmatory quantitative real-time PCR, accompanied by stereological analysis of cerebellar layers along with identification of reactive astrogliosis by glial fibrillary acidic protein and behavioral assessment following METH exposure. According to our RNA-seq data, 473 unique differentially expressed genes (DEG) were detected upon METH injections in which a large number of these genes engage basically in biological regulations and metabolic processes, chiefly located in nucleus and membrane. In addition, pathway analysis of METH-induced DEG revealed several enriched signaling cascades related largely to immune response, neurotransmission, cell growth, and death. Further, METH induced a significant reduction in volumes of cerebellar layers (molecular, granular, and Purkinje) and a decrease in the white matter volume along with a rise in astrogliosis as well as increased locomotor activity. In conclusion, considering gene expression changes combined with structural alterations of the cerebellum in response to METH, these data suggest METH-induced neurotoxicity in the cerebellar region.

Electrospun wound dressing as a promising tool for the therapeutic delivery of ascorbic acid and caffeine.

Aim: The aim of this work is to formulate a wound dressing for the delivery of ascorbic acid and caffeine. Method: A wound dressing was developed from electrospun nanofiber containing ascorbic acid and caffeine. In vitro drug release was performed at 25°C and 32°C. Wound healing activity of the nanofiber mats was tested in vivo using rat model with skin excision. Antifungal activity of the dressing was tested on Candida albicans using the disc diffusion method. Results & conclusion: Zone of inhibition was 6.7 mm for caffeine dressing; however, inhibition zone increased to 16.7 mm for samples containing both caffeine and ascorbic acid. Animals treated with ascorbic acid showed collagen deposition and very few fibroblast cells. Blood vessels and fibroblasts were increased in caffeine-loaded dressings compared with the ascorbic acid group. The findings of the present work suggest the benefits of topical ascorbic acid and caffeine for its high wound healing effects.

Screening of acetaminophen-induced alterations in epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-related expression of microRNAs in a model of stem-like triple-negative breast cancer cells: The possible functional impacts.

Current protocols for therapy inefficiently targets triple negative breast cancer and barely eradicate cancer stem cells. Elucidation of the pleiotropic effect of clinically proven therapeutics on cancer cells shed light on novel application of old friends. The pleiotropic effect of acetaminophen (APAP) on breast cancer was previously reported. In a cell model of triple negative breast cancer with stem-like CD44high/CD24low phenotype, we screened the impacts of APAP (1 mM, 72 h) on the Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related expression of miRs. APAP significantly overexpressed hsa-miR-130a-3p, 192-5p, 214-3p, 101-3p, 30d-5p, 10a-5p, 99a-5p, 200c-3p, 143-3p, 30b-5p and let-7f-5p showed significant overexpression, but suppressed the expression of hsa-miR-7-5p, 149-3p, 215, 150-5p, 205-5p, 206, 10b-5p, 20b-5p, 145-5p, 26b-5p, 223-3p, 17-5p, 186-5p, 146a-5p and let-7c. It also altered on the expression of selected EMT-related genes, significantly upregulated the expression of KRT19, AKT2, CD24, and TIMP1; but downregulated the expression of MMP2, ALDH1, MMP9, TWIST, NOTCH1, and AKT1. Such shifts in expression profiles increased the population of the cells with CD44high/CD24high, and CD44low/CD24high phenotypes, significantly reduced the Twist protein and shifted the balance of E-cadherin and Vimentin proteins in favor of differentiation. Treated cells showed a significant reduction of in vitro migration and were significantly chemosensitized to Camptothecin. In conclusion, APAP, at a safe clinical dose, induced a set of targeted alterations in the EMT-related miRs which implicate, even in part, significant mitigation in chemoresistance and in vitro migration. Further studies should also be piloted to elucidate the most crucial miRs and to evaluate its clinical effectiveness.

Short-term buserelin administration induces apoptosis and morphological changes in adult rat testes.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of buserelin on gonadal structure and function in adult male rats. METHODS: Twenty-four adult Wistar male rats were divided into three groups: two treated groups and controls. The first and second treated groups received 300 (low dose) and 500 (high dose) µg/kg buserelin, respectively, and the control group received normal saline. All groups were treated subcutaneously for five days. RESULTS: The seminiferous tubular epithelial thickness was significant decreased in the treated groups compared with those in the control. There was a significant increase in apoptotic cell death in high dose treated group compared with low dose treated and control groups. No significant difference in serum testosterone level was observed after one month in the three groups. CONCLUSION: Buserelin induces apoptotic cell death and decreased diameter and epithelium thickness of seminiferous tubules in the adult rat testes.

Short-term buserelin administration induces apoptosis and morphological changes in adult rat testes

Abstract Purpose: To investigate the effect of buserelin on gonadal structure and function in adult male rats. Methods: Twenty-four adult Wistar male rats were divided into three groups: two treated groups and controls. The first and second treated groups received 300 (low dose) and 500 (high dose) µg/kg buserelin, respectively, and the control group received normal saline. All groups were treated subcutaneously for five days. Results: The seminiferous tubular epithelial thickness was significant decreased in the treated groups compared with those in the control. There was a significant increase in apoptotic cell death in high dose treated group compared with low dose treated and control groups. No significant difference in serum testosterone level was observed after one month in the three groups. Conclusion: Buserelin induces apoptotic cell death and decreased diameter and epithelium thickness of seminiferous tubules in the adult rat testes.

DNA flow cytometric analysis in variable types of hydropic placentas.

BACKGROUND: Differential diagnosis between complete hydatidiform mole, partial hydatidiform mole and hydropic abortion, known as hydropic placentas is still a challenge for pathologists but it is very important for patient management. OBJECTIVE: We analyzed the nuclear DNA content of various types of hydropic placentas by flowcytometry. MATERIALS AND METHODS: DNA ploidy analysis was performed in 20 non-molar (hydropic and non-hydropic spontaneous abortions) and 20 molar (complete and partial moles), formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples by flow cytometry. The criteria for selection were based on the histopathologic diagnosis. RESULTS: Of 10 cases histologically diagnosed as complete hydatiform mole, 9 cases yielded diploid histograms, and 1 case was tetraploid. Of 10 partial hydatidiform moles, 8 were triploid and 2 were diploid. All of 20 cases diagnosed as spontaneous abortions (hydropic and non-hydropic) yielded diploid histograms. CONCLUSION: These findings signify the importance of the combined use of conventional histology and ploidy analysis in the differential diagnosis of complete hydatidiform mole, partial hydatidiform mole and hydropic abortion.

Role of mitochondria in ciprofloxacin-induced apoptosis in murine sperm cells.

RATIONALE: Ciprofloxacin (CPFX) has been reported to inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in certain eukaryotic cells. The role of the mitochondrial pathway in CPFX-induced apoptosis in cultured murine sperm cells was investigated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Sperm cells (5×10(3) cells/well) from 8-week-old NMRI male mice were cultured in 150 µL of HAM's F10 with 25 mmol/L (4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid ) HEPES and 10% human serum albumin and were incubated with 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 µg/mL CPFX for 24 and 36 hours. Cell cytotoxicity, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨM), and concentrations of caspase 3 and caspase 9 were assessed in CPFX-treated cultured murine sperm cells by MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-Yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) , JC-1 (5, 5á, 6, 6á-tetrachloro-1, 1á, 3, 3á-tetraethylbenzimidazol-carbocyanine iodide)aggregation, and caspase 3 and caspase 9 assays, respectively. Increasing doses of CPFX showed significant cytotoxicity (EC50 = 146.73 µg/mL). Significant loss of ΔΨm was observed in sperm cells treated with ≥50 µg/mL CPFX for 36 hours. Significant increases in caspase 9 and caspase 3 concentrations were also found in cells treated with ≥50 µg/mL CPFX for 24 and 36 hours, respectively (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Effects of clinically reachable doses of CPFX on cultured murine sperm cells were investigated and revealed that it may cause sperm cell toxicity by induction of apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway in the clinically reachable concentrations.