Resveratrol as a Promising Polyphenol in Age-Associated Cardiac Alterations.

According to a widely accepted theory, oxidative stress is considered to be the number one trigger of aging-associated degenerative processes including cardiovascular diseases. In the context of aging-research, resveratrol receives special attention with its surprising number of health benefits. The aim of our study was to examine the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of this dietary polyphenol in aging rat heart. 20-month-old female and male Wistar rats were divided into control (untreated) and resveratrol-treated groups. Resveratrol was administered at a dose of 0.05 mg/ml for 12 weeks dissolved in drinking water, while the control rats received ad libitum water. Cardiac level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and glutathione (GSH) parameters, as well as the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) and heme oxygenase (HO) enzymes were detected. Together with the biochemical measurements, hearts were isolated and used for an exposure of ischemic-reperfusion injury via Langendorff perfusion system. 12 week of resveratrol treatment suppressed the age-related inflammatory pathways including the expression of TNF-α, NFκB, and the activity of MPO while intensified the endogenous antioxidant defenses through the induction of GSH and HO system. Presumably, as a result of these processes, the necrotic area of the heart in response to an acute injury was also significantly reduced in the resveratrol-treated groups. Our findings confirmed that resveratrol has cardioprotective effects at several points by counteracting the aging-associated cellular malfunctions in the heart.

Andrological Aspects of Exercise: Moderate Swimming Protects against Isoproterenol Induced Testis and Semen Abnormalities in Rats.

The development and progression of male infertility are closely linked to a sedentary lifestyle; however, its underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Our aim was to assess the protective effects of moderate swimming exercise on the male reproductive system in isoproterenol-treated rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into five groups as follows: (1) non-interventional controls (CTRL), (2) isoproterenol-treated (ISO), (3) pre-treatment swimming training + ISO (PRE + ISO), (4) ISO + post-treatment swimming training (ISO+POST), (5) pre-treatment swimming training + ISO + post-treatment swimming training (PRE + ISO + POST) groups. Testicular oxidative stress was induced by ISO injection (1.0 mg/kg). Rats in the pre- or post-training groups were trained five days a week. At the end of the experimental period, serum testosterone levels, sperms' hyaluronan binding, and total glutathione (GSH) content, as well as myeloperoxidase activity (MPO), TNF alpha and IL6 concentrations in the testis and semen, were measured. Serum testosterone levels, sperms' hyaluronan binding, and GSH content were found to be significantly reduced, while MPO, TNF alpha and IL6 concentrations in the testis and semen were elevated after the ISO treatment compared to the CTRL group. Moderate-intensity swimming exercise effectively alleviated the negative effects of high oxidative stress. Our findings provide the first evidence that moderate-intensity swimming exercise confers sustained protection from isoproterenol-induced adverse effects on testicular inflammation.

Hormone Replacement Therapy and Aging: A Potential Therapeutic Approach for Age-Related Oxidative Stress and Cardiac Remodeling.

Advanced age is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which might be further exacerbated by estrogen deficiency. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) decreases cardiovascular risks and events in postmenopausal women; however, its effects are not fully elucidated in older individuals. Thus, the aim of our study is to examine the impact of HRT on oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis and cardiac remodeling. In our experiment, control (fertile) and aging (~20-month-old) female Wistar rats were used. Aging rats were further divided into estrogen- (E2, 0.1 mg/kg/day per os) or raloxifene- (RAL, 1.0 mg/kg/day per os) treated subgroups. After 2 weeks of treatment, cardiac heme oxygenase (HO) activity, total glutathione (GSH) content, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity, and the concentrations of collagen type I and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-2), as well as the infarct size, were determined. The aging process significantly decreased the antioxidant HO activity and GSH content, altered the MMP-2/TIMP-2 signaling, and resulted in an excessive collagen accumulation, which culminated in cardiovascular injury. However, 2 weeks of either E2 or RAL treatment enhanced the antioxidant defense mechanisms and attenuated cardiac remodeling related to aging. Our findings clearly show that 2-week-long HRT is a potential intervention to bias successful cardiovascular aging via reducing oxidative damage and cardiovascular dysfunction.

Distinct Approaches of Raloxifene: Its Far-Reaching Beneficial Effects Implicating the HO-System.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) were discovered in the mid-1900s in connection with estrogen-related pathological conditions. They were developed to antagonize the adverse effects of estrogen and have been shown to be effective against postmenopausal disorders manifested by estrogen deficiency. Raloxifene (RAL), one of the most widely used SERMs, expresses estrogen-like effects on bones, while it is found to be an antagonist on breast and uterus. RAL has multiple beneficial effects throughout the body, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, because of which it gains particular attention. Additionally, previous studies have revealed that RAL is an efficient modulator of heme-oxygenase (HO) expression. HO, through its general activity, participates in comprehensive cell defense processes, thus the induction of HO by RAL administration indicates a major role in its therapeutic efficacy. In this review, we compile the current knowledge about the overall metabolic, neurocognitive, and cardiovascular effects of RAL involving the cytoprotective HO-system.