Evaluation of skeletal muscle function in male rats with doxorubicin-induced myopathy following various exercise techniques: the significant role of glucose transporter 4.

A common anthracycline antibiotic used to treat cancer patients is doxorubicin (DOX). One of the effects of DOX therapy is skeletal muscle fatigue. Our goal in this research was to study the beneficial effect of exercise on DOX-induced damaged muscle fibers and compare the effect of different exercise strategies (prophylactic, post- toxicity and combined) on DOX toxicity. Five groups were created from 40 male rats: group I, control group; group II, DOX was administered intraperitoneally for 2 weeks over 6 equal injections (each 2.5 mg/kg); group III, rats trained for 3 weeks before DOX; group IV, rats trained for 8 weeks after DOX; and group V, rats were trained for 3 weeks before DOX followed by 8 weeks after. Measures of oxidative damage (H2O2, catalase), inflammation (TNF-α), and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) expression on skeletal muscle were assessed. Also, Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) was estimated. Skeletal performance was evaluated by contraction time (CT), half relaxation time (1/2 RT), and force-frequency relationship by the end of this research. The current study demonstrated a detrimental effect of DOX on skeletal performance as evidenced by a significant increase in CT and 1/2 RT compared to control; in addition, H2O2, TNF-α, and HOMA-IR were significantly increased with a significant decrease in GLUT4 expression and catalase activity. Combined exercise therapy showed a remarkable improvement in skeletal muscle performance, compared to DOX, CT, and 1/2 RT which were significantly decreased; H2O2 and TNF-α were significantly decreased unlike catalase antioxidant activity that significantly increased; in addition, skeletal muscle glucose metabolism was significantly improved as GLUT4 expression significantly increased and HOMA-IR was significantly decreased. Exercise therapy showed significant improvement in all measured parameters relative to DOX. However, combined exercise therapy showed the best improvement relative to both pre-exercise and post-exercise groups.

An electron microscopic and biochemical study of the potential protective effect of ginger against Cadmium-induced testicular pathology in rats.

Background: Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal used in many industries. Since the second half of the 20th century, legislation on Cd use was put to limit the exponential rise in its environmental levels. This study aimed to investigate Cd's functional and ultrastructural changes on rats' reproductive systems and the role of Zingiber officinale (Ginger) in protecting against Cd-induced toxicity. Methods: Thirty adult male albino rats were randomly assigned into three equal groups (n = 10); control, Cd-exposed/untreated, and Cd-exposed/Gin-treated. Rat testes were weighed, and testicular tissue sections were examined under the electron microscope. Semen analysis, morphological examination of spermatozoa, and serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone were measured. In addition, testicular tissue homogenates were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Results: Cd-induced significant reduction in the mean testicular weight and GSH levels and plasma testosterone, LH and FSH levels with a concomitant increase in testicular MDA and NO levels. There was also a deterioration in semen analysis parameters and spermatozoa morphology, with testicular structural damage in the form of architecture distortion and necrosis of seminiferous tubules and testicular interstitial cells. Daily administration of ginger for 4 weeks protected against CD-induced toxicity, preserving tissue architecture, improved plasma levels of testosterone, LH and FSH and testicular levels of GSH, and reduced testicular levels of MDA, NO. Conclusion: Ginger has a protective effect on Cd-induced deterioration of testicular tissue's structural and functional integrity by improving testicular tissue antioxidant capacity and steroid production, which ameliorates sex hormone levels in the blood.