Black garlic exhibited hepatoprotective effect against monosodium glutamate-induced hepatotoxicity in animal model.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is commonly used as a flavor-enhancing agent in foods, and studies have demonstrated its toxic effects in animal models. Black garlic is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; however, there is a lack of studies on the potential hepatoprotective effect of black garlic ethanol extract (BGE) against MSG-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of ethanol extract of black garlic against MSG-induced liver damage in animal model. Twenty-five male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five groups (n=5): negative control, MSG only, and MSG with three different doses of BGE. The MSG only and MSG with BGE groups were orally administered with 8 mg/kg MSG daily. After MSG treatment, the MSG with BGE groups received BGE orally at daily doses of 200, 400, or 600 mg/kg body weight for 16 consecutive days. Subsequently, the levels of serum liver enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were measured. Our data indicated that the group treated with 200 mg/kg BGE had significant lower levels of AST and ALT significantly compared to the MSG-only group. The MSG-treated group had higher levels of the inflammatory markers COX-2 and IFN-γ, which were lowered by administration of 200 mg/kg BGE. In contrast, higher doses of BGE led to greater levels of COX-2 and IFN-γ compared to those in the MSG-only group. This study suggested that BGE might have hepatoprotective effects at low dose, potentially mitigating MSG-induced liver damage. However, the higher dose of black garlic extract did not alleviate inflammation, as shown by the higher levels of COX-2 and IFN-γ.

Effect of black garlic (Allium sativum) on gonadosomatic index, follicle-stimulating hormone level and spermatozoa quality: A study in monosodium glutamate-exposed rat model.

Infertility rates have risen significantly, one of which is due to monosodium glutamate (MSG) consumption. Recent studies have shown that flavonoids in black garlic (Allium sativum) act as antioxidants. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of black garlic extract (BGE) on gonadosomatic index, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, and spermatozoa quality in rats exposed to MSG. Twenty-five healthy rats, aged ten to twelve weeks, were divided equally into five experimental groups: (1) negative control (NC), no intervention; (2) positive control (PC), fed with MSG 8 mg/kg; and (3) fed with MSG + BGE 200 mg/kg; (4) fed with MSG + BGE 400 mg/kg; and (5) fed with MSG + BGE 600 mg/kg. Oral MSG was administered once a day for two weeks before BGE administration was started for two weeks. The measured endpoints were gonadosomatic index, FSH levels, and spermatozoa concentration and quality (spermatozoa motility and abnormality). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan's post hoc analysis was used to assess the measurement differences. The result suggested that the administration of BGE did not significantly affect the gonadosomatic index (p=0.513). Significant decreases in FSH levels (p=0.005) and spermatozoa concentration were observed in the PC group compared to other groups (p<0.001). Additionally, spermatozoa motility was significantly lower in the PC group compared to NC, BGE200, BGE400, and BGE600 (p<0.001), with higher motility noted in BGE200, BGE400, and BGE600 compared to PC (p<0.001). Furthermore, PC had significantly higher spermatozoa abnormalities compared to NC, BGE200, BGE400, and BGE600 (p<0.001). In conclusion, administration of BGE had a significant effect on the improvement of FSH levels and the quality of spermatozoa in rats exposed to MSG.

Association between vitamin D receptor gene variants and neonatal sepsis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was elucidating the association of VDR SNPs (FokI, TaqI, BsmI, BgII, and ApaI) with neonatal sepsis. Literature search was performed to retrieve records published until August 2nd, 2023 (PROSPERO registration: CRD42023451355). Meta-analysis was carried out to determine the pooled estimates for Odds Ratio (OR). A total of four studies were included with 500 neonates (250 sepsis cases and 250 healthy controls). There was an association observed between TaqI SNP with neonatal sepsis for CT vs. CC+TT (OR=1.95) and TT vs CT+CC (OR=0.40). Moreover, the pooled estimates also suggested that CC vs. CT+TT (OR= 0.37) and C vs. T (OR=0.66) of FokI SNP were significantly associated with neonatal sepsis. SNP of BgII was found to be significantly associated with neonatal sepsis, but only reported in a single study.

Genetic polymorphisms associated with sepsis incidence, severity, and outcomes among neonates: A mini-review.

Genetic variation remains a topic of great interest due to its potential as a risk factor for various diseases. Interactions between genes contribute to diverse phenotypes in response to factors such as infection. The impact of genetic background on susceptibility and clinical outcomes, particularly in neonatal sepsis, has gained recognition. The variability in sepsis susceptibility and outcomes can be attributed to the genetic diversity in coding regions and regulatory elements of genes related to innate immune response. Recent advances in genomics and technology have shed light on genetic polymorphisms among humans, often represented by single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). These SNPs encode proteins crucial for recognizing and responding to pathogenic bacteria, including Toll-like receptor 4, CD14, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, as well as interleukin-1-10. This literature review specifically discusses the involvement of genetic polymorphism during the pathogenesis stage of sepsis, with an emphasis on previous research findings in neonatal sepsis cases, aiming to discuss the implications of polymorphism in sepsis susceptibility and outcomes.

Identification and Determination of the Seminiferous Epithelium Stages and Spermatid Development in the Testis of Aceh Bull (Bos indicus).

This study was conducted to describe the stages of seminiferous epithelium (SE), determine the relative frequency of the stages, and identify the steps of spermatid development during spermatogenesis in the testicular tissue of Aceh bull. Seven pairs of the testicular organs of Aceh bull (Bos indicus) were used and then processed in a histological manner for staining using haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and periodic acid-Schiff-haematoxylin (PAS-H). The stages of seminiferous tubules were examined using a tubular morphology method while spermatid development was observed based on the acrosome formation during spermatid development. Eight stages (stages I to VIII) of SE were found in the testicular seminiferous tubules of Aceh bull. Furthermore, the percentage of the relative frequency of each stage was 25.48, 15.38, 12.92, 4.74, 14.97, 10.69, 10.74, and 5.08%, respectively, with the relative frequency of premeiotic, meiotic, and postmeiotic phases being 53.78, 4.74, and 41.48%, respectively. Spermatid development from round to elongated spermatids occurred in 14 steps. Steps 1 to 7 were observed in stage I, steps 8 and 9 in stage II, steps 10 and 11 in stage III, step 12 in stage IV, step 13 in stages V and VI, and step 14 in stages VII and VIII. These findings can be used as a basis for further studies, particularly in evaluating the abnormality of the cellular composition of the seminiferous tubule in each stage of spermatogenesis and also in determining daily sperm production in Aceh bull.

Role of forkhead box protein 2 (FOXP2) in oral-motor abilities of preterm infants: A brief literature review.

Preterm infants, born before the 37-week gestation period, have limited storage for nutrients at birth and are vulnerable to poor feeding, severe nutritional deficits and growth retardation. The immature gastrointestinal system leads preterm infants to experience a delay in initiating enteral nutrition. Inappropriate feeding can cause acute and long-term morbidity, prolonged hospitalization and increased treatment cost. Generally, preterm infants that are born after 32 weeks of gestation without severe comorbidities do not have dysphagia and should start oral feeding soon after birth. Preterm infants should have well-developed sucking-swallowing-breathing coordination by 32-34 weeks of gestational age. However, some infants take days or weeks to master the skill. The oral feeding development involves forkhead box protein 2 (FOXP2)-expressing neurons that are found in the deep layers of the cortex, basal ganglia, parts of the thalamus and Purkinje cells of the cerebellum. In mammals, these areas belong to the brain network circuits working for motor coordination in learning and acquiring sensorimotor skills. This review aimed to describe the role of FOXP2 in oral-motor skills in preterm infants, including oral feeding, sucking-swallowing-breathing coordination and language development. The oral-motor skills development could be an early predictor for language delay in premature infants, representing a vulnerable group susceptible to such delays.

Immunohistochemical Expression of AQP2 and HSP70 in Broiler Kidney Tissue Treated with Salix tetrasperma Roxb. Extract under Heat Exposure.

The administration of plant extracts to broilers may be a way to mitigate the effects of heat stress. The importance of AQP2 and HSP70 compounds in maintaining the homeostasis of the chicken body when it is subjected to heat stress is well established. This study aims to determine the effect of giving the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Salix tetrasperma Roxb. on the immunohistochemical expression of AQP2 and HSP70 in exposed and unexposed broiler kidney tissue. This study used 36 samples of 28-day-old chicken kidneys. Chickens were kept in individual cages, provided with feed and drinking water ad libitum. The design used was a completely randomized design with 6 treatments and 6 replications: (a) chickens were reared in conditions exposed to heat (HS + 0); (b) chickens were reared in conditions exposed to heat and given Salix extract at a dose of 50 mg/L drinking water (HS + 50); (c) chickens were reared under heat-exposed conditions and given Salix extract at a dose of 100 mg/L drinking water (HS + 100); (d) chickens were reared in conditions without exposure to heat (n-HS + 0); (e) chickens were reared in conditions without exposure to heat and given Salix extract at a dose of 50 mg/L drinking water (nHS + 50); and (f) chickens were reared in conditions exposed without exposure to heat and given 100 mg/L drinking water (nHS + 100) of Salix extract. Salix extract was given for 24 hours and was renewed every 6 hours. The results showed that giving Salix extract 100 mg/L in drinking water to chickens exposed to heat (HS + 100) reduced the value of the H/L ratio. Giving Salix extract 50-100 mg/L in drinking water caused an upregulated AQP2 expression; on the other hand, it downregulated HSP-70 expression, in chicken kidney tubules both exposed to heat stress and nonexposed to heat stress. In conclusion, exposure to heat stress in broiler chickens and giving Salix extract can increase the formation of aquaporin 2 compounds and suppress the formation of HSP70.

Neem Leaf (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) Ethanolic Extract on the Liver and Kidney Function of Rats.

Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) is one of the tropical plants found in Indonesia that has been used to prevent and treat various diseases. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the ethanol extract of neem leaves on the concentration of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea, and creatinine in male rats. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (T0, T1, T2, and T3) with 6 rats in each group. T0 is the control group, and T1, T2, and T3 are the treatment groups that were administered 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg body weight of neem leaf ethanolic extracts for 48 days, respectively. On day 49, blood samples were collected to measure the concentration of AST, ALT, creatinine, and urea followed by an evaluation of liver and kidney histology. The results showed that the ethanolic extract of neem leaves did not affect the concentration of AST, ALT, and creatinine, The ethanol leaves reduced extract on the urea concentration, no abnormal changes were observed in the liver and kidney organs. In the future, it is required to carry out a comprehensive safety evaluation of the neem leaf ethanol extract for herbal medicines.

The concentration of androgen receptor and protein kinase A in male chicken following the administration of a combination of the epididymis and testicular extracts.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Testis (T) and epididymis (E) are waste from the abattoir that is rarely used. In fact, both organs contain important chemicals needed for spermatogenesis (e.g., hormones, proteins, and other molecules). Therefore, administration of a combination of testis and epididymis (CTE) extracts may activate androgen receptors (AR) and protein kinase A (PKA) molecules that play a prominent role in spermatogenesis. We, therefore, aimed at investigating the influence of the CTE extracts on the concentration of AR and PKA in male chicken. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used a completely randomized design with four treatment groups (K0, K1, K2, and K3) and five replications per group. K0 is a control group that received 1 mL normal saline, whereas K1, K2, and K3 are the test groups that received 1, 2, and 3 mL of CET extracts, respectively. Twenty male chickens (strain: broiler Mb 89), 3 weeks of age, weighing 500-700 g were used. We administered the injections in a 13-day period and on the 14th day; we collected and processed blood samples as serum to measure the AR and PKA concentrations using commercial chicken AR and PKA enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits, respectively. We performed analyses by analysis of variance using SPSS 20.0. RESULTS: The AR concentrations in K1, K2, and K3 groups increased by 4.26%, 10.97%, and 28.04%, respectively, compared to the K0 (control group). However, this increase was not significantly different between the groups (p>0.05). Moreover, the PKA concentrations increased by 2.97%, 2.60%, and 4.08% in K1, K2, and K3 groups, respectively, compared to the control group. However, this increase was not significantly different between the groups as well (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The CTE extracts tended to increase the AR and PKA concentrations even though it is not significant. Therefore, it needs further study when using the CTE extracts for spermatogenesis in male chicken.

Effects of polymorphism of myostatin and fatty acid-binding protein 4 genes on the chemical composition of meat in cull female Aceh cattle.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the association of single nucleotide polymorphism of the myostatin (MSTN) and fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) genes on the total water, ash, fat, protein, and cholesterol contents of sirloin (gluteus medius muscle) and silverside (biceps femoris muscle) meats of cull female Aceh cattle. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This analysis covered a total of 27 cull female Aceh cattle slaughtered at the Animal Slaughterhouse of Banda Aceh that was purposively selected based on hair color referred to the criteria described in the Decree of Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia. Genomic DNA was extracted from 25 mg of fresh meat using the spin column method before subjected to a polymerase chain reaction amplification using primer sets specific for 1346-bp and 275-bp fragments of MSTN and FABP4, respectively. A 4-h digestion reaction was done separately for the MSTN/HaeIII and FABP4/NlaIII loci genotyping. The total protein, ash, and fat of the meat were measured using the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) methods whereas its cholesterol content was determined using the AOAC method. The association between each polymorphism and the variation in meat chemical parameters was analyzed using the Pearson correlation test. RESULTS: The results showed that the MSTN/HaeIII locus was polymorphic in Aceh cattle, but the FABP4/NlaIII locus was monomorphic. Meat chemical parameters were not influenced by different commercial cuts and MSTN genotypes, showing that there was no association between different commercial cuts, cattle hair colors, and MSTN/HaeIII and FABP4/NlaIII markers with the meat chemical parameters in Aceh cattle. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that focusing on the novel effects of MSTN and FABP4 gene polymorphisms on meat production traits might not be useful for marker-assisted selection in Aceh cattle.

The concentration of testosterone, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide, and protamine 1 in the serum of male chicken following administration of epididymis and testicular extracts and their combination.

BAKCGROUND AND AIM: Testis and epididymis are male reproductive organs that play an important role in spermatogenesis. These two organs are rich in the content of hormones and other molecules needed in the process of spermatogenesis which affect the quality of the spermatozoa. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of the administration of epididymis and testicular extracts and their combination on testosterone, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), and protamine 1 (PRM1) concentrations in the serum of male chicken. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty male chickens (broiler strain Cp707), aged 3 weeks and weighing 800-1000 g, were randomly divided into four different groups including a control group (T0) = injected with 1 ml normal saline and treatment groups: T1 = injected with 1 ml epididymis extract, T2 = injected with 1 ml testicular extract, and T3 = injected with a combination of 1 ml epididymis + 1 ml testicular extract. The experiment was conducted for 13 days and at the end of the study (day 14), the chickens were sacrificed to obtain the serum. Furthermore, the concentrations of testosterone, PACAP, and PRM1 were then measured by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. RESULTS: The concentrations of PACAP and PRM1 did not show a significant difference between treatment groups (T1, T2, and T3) and control group (T0) (p>0.05). However, the concentration of testosterone showed a significantly higher difference in a group injected with a combination of 1 ml epididymis and 1 ml testicular extracts (T3) compared to the control group (T0) (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The administration of epididymis and testicular extracts and their combination did not affect the increase of PACAP and PRM1 concentration. However, a combination of these extracts significantly affects the increase of testosterone concentration in the serum of male chicken.

The validation of a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the effect of freeze-thaw cycles of serum on the stability of cortisol and testosterone concentrations in Aceh cattle.

Background: To obtain accurate measurements of cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) in Aceh cattle, commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits need to be carefully validated. Moreover, repeated freeze-thaw cycles during the storage of the samples may affect the stability of the hormones in the serum. Here, the reliability of C and T concentration measurements in the serum of Aceh cattle, was tested using commercial C and T ELISA kits designed to measure human C and T concentrations. Further, the effect of repeated freeze-thaw cycles on the stability of C and T concentrations in the serum was evaluated. Methods: Commercial C (Cat. no. EIA-1887) and T (Cat. no. EIA-1559) ELISA kits from DRG Instruments GmbH were validated through an analytical validation test (i.e., parallelism, accuracy, and precision) and a biological validation test (for C: effect of transportation on the C secretion; for T: the concentrations of T between bulls and cows). To test the effects of freeze-thaw cycles, cattle serum was subjected to the following treatments: (i) remained frozen at -20 OC (control group); (ii) exposed to freeze-thaw cycles for two, four, six, and eight times (test groups).   Results: Parallelism, accuracy, and precision tests showed that both  C and T ELISA kits adequately measured C and T in the serum of Aceh cattle. Concentrations of C post-transportation were significantly higher than pre-transportation (p<0.01). Concentrations of T in bulls were significantly higher than in cows (p<0.01). After four to eight freeze-thaw cycles, C concentrations were significantly lower compared to the control group (all p < 0.05). In contrast, T concentrations remained stable (all p>0.05). Conclusions: Commercial C (EIA-1887) and T (EIA-1559) ELISA kits are reliable assays for measuring serum C and T, respectively, in Aceh cattle. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles significantly affected the stability of serum C, but did not for T.

The expression of cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element modulator in rat sertoli cells following seminal extract administration.

AIM: This study aims to determine the effect of seminal vesicle extract on cyclic adenosine monophosphate responsive element modulator (CREM) expression in rat Sertoli cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study examined the expression of CREM on 20 male rats (Rattus norvegicus) at 4 months of age, weighing 250-300 g. The rats were divided into four groups: K0, KP1, KP2, and KP3. K0 group was injected with 0.2 ml normal saline; KP1 was injected with 25 mg cloprostenol (Prostavet C, Virbac S. A); KP2 and KP3 were injected with 0.2 and 0.4 ml seminal vesicle extract, respectively. The treatments were conducted 5 times within 12-day interval. At the end of the study, the rats were euthanized by cervical dislocation; then, the testicles were necropsied and processed for histology observation using immunohistochemistry staining. RESULTS: CREM expression in rat Sertoli cells was not altered by the administration of either 0.2 or 0.4 ml seminal vesicle extract. CONCLUSION: The administration of seminal vesicle extract is unable to increase CREM expression in rat Sertoli cells.