Tert-butylhydroquinone preserve testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in cisplatin-intoxicated rats by targeting oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis.

Cisplatin (Cis) is an effective chemotherapeutic intervention against many cancer types. However, the oxidative stress-related toxicities associated with cancer cell resistance-induced dose scaling has limited its long-term use. In the present study, we explored the benefits of the antioxidant, tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ; 50 mg/kg b.w./day, for 14 days) against Cis single dose injection (7 mg/kg b.w., i.p on Day 8), on testicular toxicity of male Wistar rats. Cis triggered testicular and epididymal oxidative stress, testicular inflammation (upregulated NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-1ß mRNA levels, and downregulated IL-10 mRNA level), increased testicular apoptosis (increased Bax/Bcl2 and caspase-3 mRNA levels) and decreased testicular germ cells proliferation. Further, Cis decreased testicular steroidogenesis (decreased expression of StAR, CYP11A1, 3ß-HSD and 17ß-HSD mRNA and proteins) and decreased follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and testosterone levels. Cis also decreased sperm count, motility, viability, normal morphology and Johnsen score. However, intervention with tBHQ significantly decreased oxidative stress by upregulating Nrf2 gene, suppressed inflammation, apoptosis and increased testicular germ cells proliferation. tBHQ also increased steroidogenesis and improved sperm parameters. Taken together, tBHQ improves steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in Cis-intoxicated rats by improving antioxidant status, dampening inflammation and apoptosis, thus improving the proliferative capacity of spermatogenic cells.

Pulmonary Responses Following Quercetin Administration in Rats After Intratracheal Instillation of Amiodarone.

Amiodarone, a drug that treats arrhythmias induces pulmonary toxicity through interplay between oxidative stress and inflammation. Quercetin, a flavonoid widely occurring in natural products possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of quercetin on pulmonary responses in rats after amiodarone intra-tracheal instillation. Eighteen female Wistar rats (150-250 g) were randomly assigned into three groups of six animals each namely; control, amiodarone (AMI) and amiodarone + Quercetin (AMI + Quercetin) groups. AMI group received 2 intra-tracheal instillations of amiodarone (6.25mg/kg in 0.3ml of water) on days 0 and 2 and 0.4ml of 2% DMSO (Dimethyl sulfoxide) orally from day 0 for 3 weeks. AMI + Quercetin group was administered 2 intratracheal instillations of amiodarone on days 0 and 2 and 20mg/kg body weight of quercetin in 2% DMSO from day 0 for 3 weeks. Thereafter, the animals were sacrificed and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected to determine total cell polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell and macrophage counts. Inflammation of the lung tissues was also assessed. Macrophage count of AMI + Quercetin group was significantly lowered (p<0.01) compared to AMI group. Inflammation rate of the AMI + Quercetin group was significantly reduced compared to AMI group (p<0.01). Quercetin treatment markedly suppressed amiodarone induced toxicity in the pulmonary tissues.

Maternal Geophagy of Calabash Chalk on Foetal Cerebral Cortex Histomorphology.

BACKGROUND: Calabash chalk, a kaolin-base substance is a common geophagic material mostly consumed by pregnant women. This study investigated its effect on the histomorphology of the foetal cerebral cortex. METHODS: Twelve gestating Wistar rats were divided equally into groups 1 and 2. On pregnancy day seven (PD7), group 2 animals were administered 200 mg/kg body weight of calabash chalk suspension, while group 1 animals served as the control and received 1 ml of distilled water, by oral gavages and for 14 days (PD7-PD20). On PD21, the dams were sacrificed, and the foetuses removed, examined for gross malformations, weighed and culled to two foetuses per mother. Their whole brains were excised, weighed and preserved using 10% buffered formalin, and routinely processed by haematoxylin and eosin, and Luxol fast blue methods. RESULTS: The foetuses showed no morphological change, but their mean body weights was higher (p=0.0001). Histomorphological sections of the cerebral cortex showed hypertrophy and hyperplasia of cells in all the cortical layers, with less demonstrated Nissl and higher (p=0.001) cellular population compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Calabash chalk cause body weight increase and histomorphological changes in the cerebral cortex of foetuses.