Rat Ovary Tissues Research Articles

Protective effects of a natural product, paeoniflorin, on ischemia reperfusion injury on rat ovary tissue: histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical study

ABSTRACT In this study, the main hypothesis is that paeoniflorin may inhibit some cellular processes such as oxidative stress and inflammation. For this reason, we aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of a natural compound, paeoniflorin, on rat model of ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury by detecting the oxidative stress parameters and inflammatory process parameters. 42 female Wistar-albino rats were divided into 6 random groups. The rats were subjected to 3-hour ischemia and 3-hour reperfusion process. Then, paeoniflorin at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg were applied 30 min before the reperfusion. The levels of pro-inflammatory (IL-1-β, IL-6, TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10, TGF-β) cytokines were measured by ELISA. Similarly, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, NF-κB p65) positivity rates were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Additionally, oxidative stress parameters (MDA, GSH, SOD) were measured by tissue biochemistry. Ischemia-reperfusion injury caused significant increase in the levels of SOD, MDA, TNF-α, IL-1-β, IL-6 and NF-κB p65, while paeoniflorin treatments improved the related parameters in a dose-dependent manner. As a conclusion, our findings support the evidence that paeoniflorin has a potential protective effects on ovarian ischemia-reperfusion injury. Further detailed studies should be performed to shed light the molecular mechanism of these protective effects.

Electroacupuncture promotes expression of glutathione related regulatory enzymes in ovary tissue of rats with diminished ovarian reserve

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on ovarian function and expression of glutathione (GSH) related regulatory enzymes γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase (γ-GCS), glutathione reductase (GR) protein and gene in rats with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), so as to explore its mechanisms underlying up-regulation of antioxidant stress ability. A total of 30 female SD rats with normal estrous cycle were randomly divided into blank control, model and EA groups, with 10 rats in each group. The DOR model was established by gavage of tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside suspension (50 mg·kg-1·d-1) for 14 consecutive days, while the rats in the blank group were given equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution. One hour after daily gavage, EA (1.0 mA, 100 Hz) was applied alternately to bilateral "Shenshu"(BL23), and "Zhongwan"(CV12)+"Guanyuan"(CV4) for 10 min, for 14 consecutive days. Estrous cycles of rats in each group were observed and recorded daily during intervention.After the intervention, H.E.staining was used to observe histopathological changes of the ovarian tissue. The contents of serum sex hormones ［follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), estradiol (E2)］ and oxidative damage markers ［8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHDG) and nitrotyrosine (NTY)］ were determined by ELISA. The contents of GSH and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in the liver tissue were determined by colorimetry, and their ratios were calculated. Immunohistochemistry and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR were used to detect the immunoactivity and gene expression levels of γ-GCS and GR in the ovarian tissues, respectively. Compared with the blank group, the model group had a marked increase in the disorder rate of estrous cycle, serum FSH, 8-OHDG and NTY contents (P<0.01) and a considerable decrease in the levels of serum AMH and E2, liver GSH and GSSG contents and GSH/GSSG ratio, ovarian optical density and cell number as well as the expression of γ-GCS and GR mRNAs (P<0.05, P<0.01). After EA intervention, the increase of the disorder rate of estrous cycle, serum FSH, 8-OHDG and NTY contents and the decrease of serum AMH and E2, liver GSH and GSSG contents and GSH/GSSG ratio, ovarian optical density and cell number of γ-GCS and GR as well as the expression of γ-GCS genes were all reversed (P<0.01, P<0.05). H.E. staining showed degenerative changes of the ovarian tissue, fewer follicles at every level and increase of atretic follicles, disarrangement and layer number decrease of granulosa cells, and atrophy of corpus luteum in the model group, which were relatively milder in the EA group. EA can improve ovarian function, and reduce oxidative stress damage in DOR rats, which may be associated with its functions in up-regulating the expression of γ-GCS and GR protein and gene in the ovarian tissue.

Biochemical and immunohistochemical examination of the effects of ephedrine in rat ovary tissue.

It was aimed to investigate the biochemical and immunohistochemical effects of ephedrine (EPH) in bilateral ovariectomized rats. Twenty-four Sprague Dawley female rats were divided into three groups: control group: The abdomen was opened and closed without any treatment; ischemia-reperfusion (IR) group: 2 h of ischemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion were allowed to cause IR injury; IR+EPH group: oral EPH solution (5 mg/kg) was administered for 28 days. Biochemical parameters were statistically significant in group comparisons. Increased interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression, degenerative preantral and antral follicle cells and inflammatory cells around blood vessels were seen in IR group. Negative IL-6 expression was observed in seminal epithelial cells, preantral and antral follicle cells in IR+EPH group. While caspase-3 activity increased in granulosa cells and stromal cells in IR group, caspase-3 expression was negative in preantral and antral follicle cells in the germinal epithelium and cortex in IR+EPH group. The effect of apoptosis, which occurs with the signaling that starts in the cell nucleus, caused the cessation of the stimulating effect at the nuclear level after EPH administration, and a decrease in the antioxidative effect in IR damage and inflammation in the apoptotic process.

P-686 Molecular mechanism of Zishen Yutai Pills protecting ovarian reserve in premature ovarian insufficiency: a multi-omics analysis

Abstract Study question What is the potential molecular mechanism of Zishen Yutai Pills when compared to Hormone Replacement Therapies in treating premature ovarian insufficiency through protecting ovarian reserve? Summary answer Compared to estrogen, the cAMP signaling pathway and steroid hormone biosynthesis may be the potential molecular mechanisms for Zishen Yutai Pills preserving ovarian function. What is known already Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a major reproductive disease that greatly affects ovarian function. It is a complex disorder with multiple pathogenic factors and high etiological heterogeneity. The conventional treatment for POI is hormone replacement therapies (HRT), which could alleviate the low estrogen syndromes. Compared to HRT, Zishen Yutai Pills (ZSYTP), a patented formula that is widely used for treating POI, can induce follicle development and stimulate ovulation. The combination of omics, including proteomics, metabolomics and transcriptomics, could promote the comprehensive understanding of the potential molecular mechanism involved in both effective treatments for POI in the rat model. Study design, size, duration 20 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to 4 groups: the normal control group (NC), POI model group (POI), ZSYTP group and E2 Gavage group(E2). Intraperitoneally injected with cyclophosphamide for 15 days to establish a POI rat model, follow up with intragastric administration with ZSYTP or E2 daily for 3 weeks. The combined analysis of the proteomics, metabolomics and transcriptomics of rat ovarian tissues shows the potential pathways and molecular targets involved in ZSYTP and E2. Participants/materials, setting, methods All protocols of animal experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Ethics Committee of Zhuhai BestTest (IAC (S) 202108005). Rat ovary tissues were weighed and quickly frozen after dissection. Muti-omics analysis was performed based on the results from proteomics, metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis, in which Correlation and KEGG pathway analysis were conducted. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS; statistical significance was set to P &amp;lt; 0.05. Main results and the role of chance Both the E2 and ZSYTP groups show elevated serum estrogen levels compared with the POI group(P&amp;lt;0.05). In the histological assessment, a significantly elevated amount of primary follicles was observed in the ZSYTP group compared to the E2 POI group, indicating that ZSYTP improves ovarian follicle development. Under electron microscopy, fewer necrosis cells were observed in the ZSYTP group, which shows that ZSYTP could improve ovarian repair function and reserve. A combined analysis of ovary proteomics, metabolomics and transcriptomics in ZSYTP vs. E2 shows that both interventions share molecular functions, including steroid binding, protein digestion and absorption, and carbon metabolism. In the KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, the cAMP signaling pathway and steroid hormone biosynthesis were enriched. Limitations, reasons for caution A larger sample size of animal experiments is needed for future study. Quantitative expression analyses of specific genes disclosed in this multi-omics analysis are the next stage of the study. Wider implications of the findings This is the first study to conjoint analyses multi-omics to explore the two different treatments on POI. Zishen Yutai Pills could alleviate low estrogen syndrome and preserve ovarian function through regulating the cAMP signaling pathway and steroid hormone biosynthesis. Zishen Yutai Pills could serve as an effective treatment for POI. Trial registration number Not applicable

P-Coumaric acid alleviates cisplatin-induced ovarian toxicity in rats.

The therapeutic value of cisplatin (CDDP) as an anticancer drug is limited by its ovo-otoxicity. The effect of natural phenolic acids in the prevention of many diseases related to oxidative stress has been reported. Here, the ability of p-coumaric (pCA) acid, a member of phenolic acids, to protect rat ovary tissue against CDDP-induced oxidative stress was investigated. The study was carried out in five main groups containing six rats in each group: control, pCA (4mg/kg), CDDP, CDDP plus pCA (2mg/kg), and CDDP plus pCA (4mg/kg). The levels of ovarian malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), oxidative stress index (OSI), catalase (CAT), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), caspase-3, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined. Hematoxylin and eosin staining method was employed for the histopathological examination. In the CDDP group, it is determined that statistically significant decreasing in the levels of TAS and CAT, and increasing in the levels of MDA, TOS, OSI, 8-OHdG, caspase-3, and TNF-α compared with control group (p < 0.05). pCA administration statistically significantly restored this damage in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Although vascular congestion, edema, hemorrhage, follicular degeneration, and leukocyte infiltration were significantly higher in the CDDP group than in the control group, pCA administrations statistically significantly restored these damages (p < 0.05). The data presented here indicate that pCA protects ovarian tissues of rats against CDDP-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. It may be worthy to consider the usefulness of pCA as adjuvant therapy in cancer management.

Dulaglutide, a long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonist, can improve hyperandrogenemia and ovarian function in DHEA-induced PCOS rats

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to explore the effect of dulaglutide on DHEA induced PCOS rats and its mechanism, to provide new drugs and research directions for clinical treatment of PCOS. MethodsIn this study, the PCOS model was established by giving female SD rats subcutaneous injection of DHEA for 21 consecutive days. After modeling, the treatment group was injected subcutaneously with three doses of dulaglutide for 3 weeks. The model group was injected with sterile ultrapure water, and the normal group did not get any intervention. The body weight changes of rats in each group were recorded from the first day when rats received the administration of dulaglutide. Three weeks later, the rats were fasted the night after the last treatment, determined fasting insulin and fasting glucose the next day. After the rats were anesthetized by chloral hydrate, more blood was collected from the heart of the rat. The serum insulin, testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels were detected by the enzyme-linked immunoassay method. After removing the adipose tissue, the obtained rat ovary tissue was used for subsequent experimental detection, using HE staining for morphology and follicular development analysis; qRT-PCR for the detection of 3βHSD, CYP17α1, CYP19α1, and StAR gene expression in ovarian tissue; and western blotting analysis of CYP17α1, CYP19α1, StAR protein expression and insulin level to verify whether dulaglutide has a therapeutic effect on PCOS in rats. ResultsAfter treated with different concentrations of dulaglutide, we found that the body weight of rats in the treatment groups were reduced. Compared with the rats in PCOS group, the serum androgen level of rats in the treatment groups was significantly decreased, and the serum sex hormone binding protein content was significantly increased, and there was statistically significant difference between these groups and PCOS group. In terms of protein expression and gene regulation, the expression of 3βHSD, CYP19α1 and StAR in the ovarian tissue of rats in treatment groups were decreased significantly after received the treatment of dulaglutide, and there was statistically significant difference between these groups and PCOS group. In addition, dulaglutide reduced the insulin content in the ovarian tissue of PCOS rats. ConclusionDulaglutide may reduce the hyperandrogenemia of PCOS rats by regulating the content of serum SHBG and the expression of 3βHSD, CYP19α1, and StAR related genes and proteins, thereby inhibiting the excessive development of small follicles and the formation of cystic follicles in the ovaries of PCOS rats, thereby improving polycystic ovary in PCOS rats. In addition, dulaglutide may reduce the weight of PCOS rats, further reducing the level of high androgen in PCOS rats, and improving the morphology of their polycystic ovaries.

Protective Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Orange Peel on PCNA and FSH-R Gene Expression in Histological Damage and Oxidative Stress Due to Ovarian Torsion in Adult Rats

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of the hydroalcoholic extract of orange peel on proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSH-R) gene expression in histological injuries and acid stress caused by ovarian torsion in adult rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 32 adult female rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. In group 1 (Sham), the abdominal wall was cut without applying torsion and in group 2, ovarian torsion was performed for 2 hours, followed by detorsion for 2 weeks. The hydro-alcoholic extract of orange peel was added to their diet for two weeks in group 3, followed by ovarian torsion for 2 hours and detorsion for 2 hours. Group 4 received the orange peel extract for two weeks and after then ovarian resection for the evaluation of histological damage and blood sampling to examine the serum level of antioxidant enzymes, as well as the expression of PCNA and FSH-R genes in the ovarian tissue. Results: Histological changes in the ovary tissue of rats showed that torsion and detorsion have destructive effects on the ovarian tissue, and torsion/detorsion led to a reduction in the expression of PCNA and FSH-R (P &lt; 0.05). Based on biochemical and hormonal results, the ovarian torsion resulted in an imbalance in the oxidative stress markers and hormone profile of rats. Finally, the administration of the hydroalcoholic extract of orange peel due to its high antioxidant properties improves these effects. Conclusions: In general, administering an appropriate dose of the hydroalcoholic extract of orange peel for two consecutive weeks in the diet had a protective effect on the ovarian tissue at the risk of torsion/detorsion.

Evaluation of oxidative stress indices after exposure to malathion and protective effects of ascorbic acid in ovarian tissue of adult female rats.

BackgroundMalathion is one of organophosphate pesticides that is extensively used in farming and crops to control pests. Malathion induces oxidative stress in the various tissues such as the reproductive system.ObjectiveTo determine the effects of malathion on malondialdehyde (MDA) level and glutathione (GSH) content in female rat ovary tissue as well as to assess the protective role of Ascorbic Acid.MethodsThis study was carried out at the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology (School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran) in 2015. In this experimental study, 30 adult, female, Wistar rats (weight range: 200–250 g) were divided into five groups, each group consisting of six rats: control group (no interventions), sham group (normal saline 0.9% 50 mg/kg), experimental group 1 (Ascorbic Acid 200 mg/kg), experimental group 2 (malathion 50 mg/kg), and experimental group 3 (malathion 50 mg/kg + Ascorbic Acid 200 mg/kg). Malathion, solvents and Ascorbic Acid were injected intraperitoneally. After two weeks, the animals were anaesthetized with intraperitoneal ketamine/xylazine (60 and 6 mg/kg, respectively) and then scarified, and the right ovarian was used to measure levels of MDA, a marker of lipid peroxidation, and GSH content. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 16, using descriptive statistics, One Way ANOVA, and Tukey-Kramer test. A p-value <0.05 was set as significance level.ResultsThis study has shown that malathion increased MDA level and reduced GSH content compared with the control group (p<0.001). Also, administration of malathion in combination with Ascorbic Acid, reduced MDA level and increased the GSH content in rat ovarian tissue.ConclusionMalathion induced lipid peroxidation and Oxidative stress in the ovarian of Rats. In addition, it appears that Ascorbic Acid, due to its antioxidant, can recover malathion-induced poisonous changes.

The effect of non-ionizing radiation on the ovarian reserves of female rats

Objective: The authors aimed to investigate whether there was any effect of 1800 MHz GSM-modulated radio frequency radiation (RFR) as a source of non-ionizing radiation on the ovarian reserves of female rats by hematoxylin eosin staining under a light microscope, and also to evaluate the effect on the anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) level of rats. Design: A prospective observational study. Materials and Methods: A total of 12 age-matched young adult female Wistar albino rats were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n=6) constituted the controls; group 2 (n=6) constituted the 1800 MHz exposed animals. RFR exposed group were kept ten cm away from the horn antenna to satisfy the near field condition. The control group was kept in the same setting without any RFR exposure. The exposure period was 20 minutes for five days/week for one month. Results: The results of this study showed that 1800 MHz RFR did not have a significant effect on the ratios of atretic follicles in rat ovary tissues when compared with the control group (p > 0.05). However, the authors detected statistically significantly higher AMH levels in RFR exposed groups (p Conclusions: 1800 MHz GSMmodulated RFR exposure in rats was found to have no adverse effect on ovarian reserves or follicles. The present authors’ failure to detect any changes could be due to the limited duration of the RFR exposure or the limited number of subjects used in the study. AMH levels were significantly higher, which might be due to the aforementioned limitations in this study. There is a need for further experimental studies in which the effects of RFR emitted by cellular phones can be studied.

Protective effect of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) on cisplatin induced ovarian damage in rat.

Cisplatin is one of the most effective chemotherapeutic agents but injury may occur at higher doses. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bilberry on cisplatin induced toxic effects in rat ovary. Twenty-one female Wistar-Albino rats were utilized to form three groups: In group 1 (control group), each rat received intraperitoneal injection of 1mL of 0.9% NaCl saline solution during 10-days. In group 2 (cisplatin group), a single dose of 7.5mg/kg b.w. cisplatin was given. In group 3 (cisplatin+bilberry group), a single dose of 7.5mg/kg cisplatin and bilberry at 200mg/kg b.w. were given for 10days. Ovaries were surgically removed in all groups and prepared for biochemical and light microscopic investigations at the examination times. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) of tissue samples were measured. Histopathological damages in cisplatin administrated rats were seen such as severe edema, vascular congestion, hemorrhage and follicular degeneration in the ovary tissue. Moderate pathological alterations were observed in rats treated with bilberry plus cisplatin. Cisplatin administration significantly increased MDA production and decreased SOD, CAT, GPx and GST activities in the ovarian tissue when compared to the control group (p<0.05). Cisplatin+bilberry administration increased antioxidant enzymes activities and reduced MDA levels. Bilberry administration seems to reduce the cisplatin induced ovarian toxicity thus it alleviates free radical damage. But it dose not protect completely rat ovary tissues.

English

Plants continue to be a major source of medicines, as they have been throughout human history.&nbsp;Ocillium basilicum&nbsp;has been used since ancient times as a medicine and food and it is known that the antioxidant effect of&nbsp;O. basilicum&nbsp;is beneficial to protect tissue and decreasing carcinogeniceffect of electromagnetic field (EMF), so it was hypothesized that this herb might also provide protection to ovarian tissue against&nbsp; reactive oxygen spaces (ROS). Female wistar rats (n = 40) were allocated to four groups, a control group (n = 10) and three treatment groups (n = 30). The first treatment group received&nbsp;O. basilicum&nbsp;extract (1.5 g/kg body weight), the second extract group received&nbsp;O. basilicum&nbsp;extract (1.5 g/kg body weight) and EMF exposure at 50 Hz for 40 consecutive days, whilst the third group received only EMF exposure for 40 consecutive days. At the conclusion of the test period, rat ovary tissues were removed from all group members. Ovary tissue preparation was performed and analyzed for apoptosis. There was a significant increase in apoptosis in EMF group when compared with other groups (P&lt;0.05). EMF has negative effect on ovary histology in rats by increasing fibrosis and vein congestion. However, these side effects are less seen in the EMF group that received&nbsp;O. basilicum&nbsp;extract. Usage of&nbsp;O. basilicum&nbsp;extract could be one of the useful methods as antioxidant therapy against&nbsp; EMF exposure in &nbsp;industrial&nbsp; area. &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Apoptosis, electromagnetic field (EMF), fibrosis,&nbsp;Ocimum basilicum, ovary.

The Effect of Mirtazapine on Cisplatin‐Induced Oxidative Damage and Infertility in Rat Ovaries

Cisplatin causes infertility due to ovarian toxicity. The toxicity mechanism is unknown, but evidence suggests oxidative stress. In this study, the effect of mirtazapine on cisplatin-induced infertility and oxidative stress in rats was investigated. 64 female rats were divided into 4 groups of 16. Except for the controls that received physiologic saline only, all were administered with cisplatin (5 mg/kg i.p.) and mirtazapine (15 mg/kg p.o.) or mirtazapine (30 mg/kg p.o.) for 10 days. After this period, six rats from each group were randomly selected, and malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide (NO), total gluthatione (tGSH), gluthatione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and 8-hydroxy-2 deoxyguanine (8-OH Gua) levels were measured in their ovarian tissues. Reproductive functions of the remaining rats were examined for 6 months. The MDA, MPO, NO groups and 8-OH Gua levels were higher in the cisplatin-treated groups than the controls, which was not observed in the mirtazapine and cisplatin groups. GSH, GPx, and SOD levels were reduced by cisplatin, which was prevented by mirtazapine. Cisplatin caused infertility by 70%. The infertility rates were, respectively, 40% and 10% for the 15 and 30 mg/kg mirtazapine administered groups. In conclusion, oxidative stress induced by cisplatin in the rat ovary tissue causes infertility in the female rats. Mirtazapine reverses this in a dose-dependent manner.

Biochemical and histopathological investigation of the protective effect of disulfiram in ischemia-induced ovary damage

It was biochemically and histopathologically investigated whether disulfiram has protective effects on ischemia-induced ovary damage. For this purpose, levels of tGSH, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-OH Gua/Gua were investigated in ischemic rat ovary tissue. Results show that used doses of disulfiram (10, 25, and 50 mg/kg) prevent MDA, a product of ischemia-induced lipid peroxidation, formation in female rat ovary tissue and prevent decrease of enzymatic and non-enzymatic (SOD, GSH) antioxidant parameters. Additionally, all doses of disulfiram significantly prevent DNA damage when compared to control group. Fewer histopathological findings were observed in tissues with higher antioxidant levels and lower oxidant and DNA damage levels.

Endocrine function and lymphocyte infiltration of newborn rat ovaries after ultrarapid freezing and allotransplantation

To evaluate the endocrine function and lymphocyte infiltration of ultrarapidly frozen newborn rat ovaries in adult recipients. Animal study. Reproductive Medicine Laboratory of Ningxia Medical College. Newborn rats within 24 hours after birth and Sprague-Dawley female adult rats. Newborn or adult rat ovary tissues were cryopreserved with ultrarapid freezing method, using 1.5 M propylene glycol and 0.1 M sucrose as a cryoprotectant agent. After thawing, they were allotransplanted under the kidney capsule of ovariectomized adult female rats to assess the function and the microstructure. Vaginal smear, serum E2 level in recipients, grafts histologic observation, 3beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase histochemistry staining, and CD4(+)/CD8(+) T cell immunohistochemistry staining. Frozen-thawed newborn rat ovaries survived and established a vascular network with the kidney of recipients. More growing follicles were found in these survival grafts. No significant differences were found in both resumption rates, the day of initiating estrous cycles, and E2 level between the frozen adult and frozen newborn rat ovaries transplant group. Among all the groups, the number of lymphocyte in the frozen newborn rat ovary transplant group is the lowest. This is the first report for ultrarapid cryopreservation that can preserve the development potential of immature ovaries in ovariectomized adult recipients and further reduce their immunogenicity successfully.

Effects of cyclosporine on oxidant/antioxidant status in rat ovary tissues: Protective role of black grape extract

Objectives It has been demonstrated that immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine A (CsA) increases the synthesis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation products in vitro and in vivo studies, but its possible toxic effects in ovary tissue have not been defined yet. This study was designed to elucidate possible relation between CsA treatment and oxidant/antioxidant status in rat ovary tissue and, to determine if antioxidant supplementation is beneficial. Methods CsA and black grape extracts were given to rats orally for 10 days. In each group (control, CsA, CsA plus black grape and black grape alone), there were 7 animals (28 rats in total). After the animals were sacrificed, their ovaries were removed to be used in the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) level and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and xanthine oxidase (XO) enzymes. Results In the control, CsA plus black grape and black grape alone groups, MDA levels were significantly lower than CsA group. Xanthine oxidase activities were significantly higher in CsA and CsA plus black grape groups than control group. In addition, XO activity was significantly lower in black grape alone group than all the other groups including control group. There were no significant differences in the activities of SOD and CAT enzymes between the groups Conclusion The results suggest that CsA leads to oxidant stress and peroxidation in rat ovary tissues mainly due to increased XO activity. It has been suggested that this oxidant stress and peroxidation reactions can be prevented by antioxidant food supplementation like black grape.

Comparison of COS Cell Transfected AT 1A and AT 1B Angiotensin II Receptors and Angiotensin II Receptor Isoforms in Rat Tissues Using Isoelectric Focusing

Rat adrenal AT 1A and AT 1B receptors from transfected COS-7 cells were labelled with 125I-Angiotensin II, solubilised, and run on isoelectric focusing gels. Receptors from rat tissues were treated similarly. COS-7 cell-expressed AT 1A and AT 1B receptors each produced a single peak of specific radioactivity at pI 6.8. Rat liver and rat ovary tissue preparations gave peaks at pI 6.8 and 6.5, respectively. In contrast, rat adrenal tissue preparations gave four peaks at pI 7.0, 6.8, 6.5, and 6.3. The additional isoforms found in the rat adrenal tissue preparations may represent post-translationally modified or novel receptors.

High levels of cholesteryl esters, progesterone and estradiol in the testis of aging male fischer 344 rats: Feminizing leydig cell tumors.

The levels and fatty acid composition of cholesteryl esters (CEs), and the levels of steroid hormones in the testis of aging Fischer 344 (F344) rats were studied in comparison with those of 6-month-old rats without Leydig cell tumors (controls). The total lipid content in the testis increased as Leydig cell tumors developed: in 23-month-old rats, the content increased to five times higher than that of the controls. The CE level reached about 300 times higher than that of the controls and comprised 57.5% of the total lipid of the testis. The fatty acid composition of the CEs in the tumor compared to the normal tissue from the controls was characterized by a marked increase in 22:4 (n-6) and a decrease in 22:5 (n-6), a characteristic acid in rat testis lipids. Testicular progesterone levels considerably increased with the development of tumors (23-month-old rats, 2870 ng/wet wt; controls, 7 ng/g wet wt). Also, levels of estradiol showed striking increments (23-month-old rats, 2205 pg/g wet wt; controls, 153 pg/g wet wt). On the other hand, testosterone levels decreased (23-month-old rats, 13 ng/g wet wt; controls, 50 ng/g wet wt). These results suggest that Leydig cell tumors in aging F344 rats resemble the ovary tissue of rats in the levels and fatty acid composition of the CEs, and in the levels of steroid hormones. This is supported by the observation that the two kinds of cells found in the tumor tissue resemble cells of the corpus luteum and granulosa cells of the follicles, respectively, in the ovary of rats. In conclusion, the study shows that Leydig cell tumors in aging male F344 rats have a tendency towards feminization.