Biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNp-Bio) restore testosterone levels and increase TNF-α and IL-6 in Leydig cells infected with Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for toxoplasmosis. The available therapy for patients with toxoplasmosis involves a combination of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine, which have several adverse effects, including bone marrow suppression, megaloblastic anemia, leukopenia, and granulocytopenia. The development of therapeutic alternatives is essential for the management of toxoplasmosis, emphasizing the recent advances in nanomedicine. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effects of biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNp-Bio) on tachyzoite forms and Leydig cells infected with T. gondii. We observed that the AgNp-Bio reduced the viability of the tachyzoites and did not exhibit cytotoxicity against Leydig cells at low concentrations. Additionally, treatment with AgNp-Bio reduced the rate of infection and proliferation of the parasite, and lowered the testosterone levels in the infected cells. It increased the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α and reduced the levels of IL- 10. Among the morphological and ultrastructural changes, AgNp-Bio induced a reduction in the number of intracellular tachyzoites and caused changes in the tachyzoites with accumulation of autophagic vacuoles and a decrease in the number of tachyzoites inside the parasitophorous vacuoles. Collectively, our data demonstrate that the AgNp-Bio affect T. gondii tachyzoites by activating microbicidal and inflammatory mechanisms and could be a potential alternative treatment for toxoplasmosis.

Voluntary Exercise Attenuates Hyperhomocysteinemia, But Does not Protect Against Hyperhomocysteinemia-Induced Testicular and Epididymal Disturbances.

The hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is toxic to the cells and associated with several diseases. Clinical studies have shown changes in plasma concentrations of Hcy after physical exercise. This study aimed to assess the effect of HHcy on testis, epididymis and sperm quality and to investigate whether voluntary exercise training protects this system against damage caused by HHcy in Swiss mice. In this study, 48 mice were randomly distributed in the control, HHcy, physical exercise, and HHcy combined with physical exercise groups. HHcy was induced by daily administration of dl-homocysteine thiolactone via gavage throughout the experimental period. Physical exercise was performed through voluntary running on the exercise wheels. The plasma concentrations of homocysteine (Hcy) and testosterone were determined. The testes and epididymis were used to assess the sperm count, histopathology, lipoperoxidation, cytokine levels, testicular cholesterol, myeloperoxidase, and catalase activity. Spermatozoa were analyzed for morphology, acrosome integrity, mitochondrial activity, and motility. In the testes, HHcy increased the number of abnormal seminiferous tubules, reduced the tubular diameter and the height of the germinal epithelium. In the epididymis, there was tissue remodeling in the head region. Ultimately, voluntary physical exercise training reduced plasma Hcy concentration but did not attenuate HHcy-induced testicular and epididymal disturbances.

Pulmonary Emphysema Impairs Male Reproductive Physiology Due To Testosterone and Oxidative Stress Imbalance in Mesocricetus auratus.

This study evaluated whether pulmonary emphysema affects sperm quality, male reproductive organs, and testosterone levels in adult male hamsters. Mesocricetus auratus males (130-150 g) were subdivided into a control group (C group) and an emphysema group (E group). The C group received an intratracheal instillation of saline solution (0.3 mL/100 g of body weight), and the E group received papain (40 mg/100 g of body weight). After 60 days, the biometric, pulmonary, and reproductive parameters of each group were evaluated. The E group developed pulmonary emphysema, which decreased body weight and sperm quality compared to the C group. In oxidative stress-related assays, lipid peroxidation was increased in the testis and epididymis (caput and cauda) in the E group compared with the C group. However, only the caput epididymis showed a reduction in glutathione levels. Pulmonary emphysema also affected the testicle by inducing an increase in abnormal seminiferous tubules, accompanied by a decrease in seminiferous epithelium height. Spermatogenesis kinetics were also modified by pulmonary emphysema. The number of Leydig and Sertoli cells decreased in the E group, accompanied by an increase in the nuclear volume of Leydig cells. Testosterone concentration was increased in the E group. Similarly, pulmonary emphysema altered epididymal components in all regions. In conclusion, pulmonary emphysema affected the reproductive system in this experimental model, as shown by testicular and epididymal morphophysiology changes, hormonal alteration, and oxidative stress imbalance, inducing the loss of correct function in the male reproductive system.

Bisphenol A Exposure Impairs Epididymal Development during the Peripubertal Period of Rats: Inflammatory Profile and Tissue Changes.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a synthetic non-steroidal oestrogen used in the production of plastics. BPA can cause alterations in the endocrine system of human beings and animals at varied stages of development. During puberty, altered morphological, sexual behaviour and completion of the epididymal development occur. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of BPA on epididymal development during the peripubertal period of rats. Male Wistar rats were treated with BPA via gavage at doses of 20 µg/kg or 200 µg/kg per day [post-natal day (PND] 36-66). The control group received the vehicles under the same conditions. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. On PND 67, the epididymis was removed, weighed, divided into caput/corpus and cauda sections. It was then used for sperm count determination; histopathological and stereological evaluation; inflammatory cell enzymatic profiling (myeloperoxidase activity - MPO; N-acetylglucosaminidase - NAG); immunohistochemistry for IL-6; and evaluation of superoxide anion levels and malondialdehyde (MDA). Exposure to BPA at 200 µg/kg caused a significant increase of MPO activity and immunoreactivity to IL-6 (interleukin-6) as well as remodelling of tissue components in the caput/corpus and cauda regions of the epididymis. Under these experimental conditions, it is concluded that BPA alters post-natal epididymal development.