Weeks Of Acclimatization Research Articles

Effects of Increasing Oral Deoxynivalenol Gavage on Growth Performance, Blood Biochemistry, Metabolism, Histology, and Microbiome in Rats.

Mycotoxin-contaminated feed or food can affect physiological responses and cause illnesses in humans and animals. In this study, we evaluated the effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) toxicity on the growth performance, blood biochemistry, histology, microbiome, and metabolism of rats fed with different toxin concentrations. After 1 week of acclimatization, seven-week-old male rats received 0.9% saline as a control, 0.02 mg/kg DON as T1, and 0.2 mg/kg DON as T2 via oral gavage for 4 weeks. The final body weight of the T2 group was significantly lower than that of the control and T1; however, the average daily gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio did not differ. Fibrosis and apoptosis were observed in various tissues as DON concentration increased. Creatinine and alkaline phosphatase levels were significantly lower in the DON-treated group than in the control. Firmicutes and Desulfobacterota phyla dominated the cecum, whereas those in the feces were Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Metabolomic profiling showed phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis as the most prominent pathways. Overall, our results suggest that low-dose and short-term DON exposure can trigger several adverse effects in rats. Dietary toxicants in rats may explain the physiological effects associated with the metabolism commonly reported in animals.

ALLEVIATION OF ARSENIC INDUCED THYROID DYSFUNCTION AND BODY WEIGHT ALTERATIONS BY CURCUMIN

Background: Arsenic is notorious for being used in many homicidal cases. This study was designed to observe the toxic effects of low dose of arsenic on thyroid gland and body weight and its amelioration by curcumin. Method: Thirty healthy female Sprague Dawley rats (body weight ~230 g) were procured from The National Institute of Health Islamabad. After one week of acclimatization, animals were randomly divided into three groups (n=10 each), e.g., Control group (C), Experimental group-1 (E1) and Experimental group-2 (E2). The duration of the experiment was one month. Weight of the animals was checked before and at the end of experiment. All the animals were continued on standard diet and distilled water during experimental period. E1 was given 10 µg/10 mL of arsenic by oral gavage daily. E2 was given 10 µg/10 mL of arsenic along with Curcumin (50 mg/Kg body weight/day). At the end of experiment, the rats were euthanized to draw the blood and removal of thyroid gland. Serum Triiodothyronine, Tetraiodothyronine and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone were measured by ELISA. Histological changes were observed after haematoxylin and eosin staining. Statistical analysis was done on SPSS-22 and p?0.05 was considered significant. Results: The histological findings of thyroid gland, body weight and serum T3, T4 and TSH in E1 exhibited abnormal results. E2 group showed the protecting role of curcumin suggesting protective role of curcumin. Conclusion: Curcumin has protective effects against arsenic induced thyroid disruption and body weight alterations. Pak J Physiol 2024;20(3): DOI: https://doi.org/10.69656/pjp.v20i3.1686

Investigating the modulatory effects of lactoferrin on depressed rats through 16S rDNA gene sequencing and LC-MS metabolomics analysis.

Lactoferrin is a natural multifunctional glycoprotein with potential antidepressant-like effects. However, the mechanism of its antidepressant effect has not been explored from the perspective of gut flora metabolism. Therefore, we employed both 16S rDNA gene sequencing and LC-MS metabolomics analysis to investigate the regulatory effects and mechanisms of lactoferrin in a rat model of depression. After one week of acclimatization, twenty-four 7-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly and equally assigned into three groups: the control group, the model group, and the lactoferrin intervention group. The control group rats were housed under standard conditions, while the rats in the model and lactoferrin intervention groups were individually housed and exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress for 44days simultaneously. The lactoferrin intervention group was provided with water containing 2% lactoferrin (2g/100ml). Behavioural tests were conducted at week 7. Upon completion of the behavioral tests, the rats were anesthetized with isoflurane, humanely euthanized using a rat guillotine, and tissue samples were collected for further experiments. The results indicated that lactoferrin intervention led to an increase in sucrose solution consumption, horizontal movement distance, number of cross platforms, and residence time in the target quadrant. Additionally, it resulted in an increase in jejunal tight junction protein ZO-1 expression and a suppression of serum expression of inflammatory factors, Lipopolysaccharide and Diamine oxidase. In summary, lactoferrin can regulate the metabolic disorder of intestinal flora, reduce intestinal permeability, and further regulate the metabolic balance of hippocampal tissues through the microbiota-gut-brain axis. This process ultimately alleviates the depression-like behavior in rats.

Gestational diabetes mellitus, not obesity, triggers postpartum brain inflammation and premature aging in Sprague-Dawley rats

Previous studies showed that women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are susceptible to cognitive dysfunction. We investigated the effects of GDM on brain pathologies and premature brain aging in rats. Seven-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a normal diet (ND) or a high-fat diet (HFD) after two weeks of acclimatization. On pregnancy day 0, HFD-treated rats received streptozotocin (GDM group) or vehicle (Obese mothers). ND-treated rats received vehicle (ND-control mothers). On postpartum day 21, brains and blood were collected. The GDM group showed increased inflammatory and premature aging markers, mitochondrial changes, and compensatory increases in the blood–brain barrier and synaptic proteins in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. GDM triggers maternal brain inflammation and premature aging, suggesting compensatory mechanisms may protect against these effects.

Prophylactic Effects of Methanolic Leaf Extract of Momordica balsamina Against CCL4 Induced Liver Injury in Wistar Rats

Introduction: Liver injury can result from various causes, including alcohol consumption, viral infections (such as hepatitis), autoimmune diseases, metabolic disorders, and exposure to certain chemicals, drugs or toxins. It can manifest as inflammation, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, or acute liver failure, depending on the cause and severity. Treatment often involves addressing the underlying cause, lifestyle changes (such as avoiding alcohol or certain medications), and sometimes medication to support liver function or manage specific conditions. Early detection and management are crucial for preventing further damage and promoting liver health. Studies have reported the effects of Momordica balsamina on liver injury. Aim: This study aim to evaluate the prophylactic effect of methanolic leaf extract of Momordica balsamina against CCL4-induced liver injury in Wistar Rats. Methodology: The fresh leaves of Momordica balsamina were purchased at Marina Market, Sokoto, the plant was air dry at room temperature for 2 weeks and the air-dried leaves were processed with methanol to obtain methanolic extract. An acute toxicity study of M. balsamina extract was conducted with six doses (10, 100, 1000, 1600, 2900 and 5000 mg/kg) to evaluate its safety. Phytochemical analysis of the extract was carried out to detect the presence or absence of carbohydrates, saponins, flavonoids, tannins, phenols, protein, alkaloids, cardiac glycosides and steroids. A total of 42 Wistar rats (170±20g) of either sex roughly of the same age (8-10 weeks) were used for the study. After two weeks of acclimatization, the rats were randomly divided into six groups of seven rats each; group 1 (normal control) treated with distilled water and vital feeds; groups 2 (Negative control) CCl4 treated with liver injury not on treatment; group 3 (Standard control) CCl4 liver injury treated with 50 mg/kg Silymarin; group 4 (500 mg/kg M. balsamina + 2mL CCl4); group 5 (1000 mg/kg M. balsamina + 2mL CCl4) and group 6 (1500 mg/kg M. balsamina + 2mL CCl4) for 4 weeks. On the last day, the rats were anaesthetized, and blood and liver organ were collected for biochemical and histomorphology study. Results: The prophylactic effects of methanolic leaf extract of Momordica balsamina against CCl4-induced liver injury were evaluated on liver function tests (LFTs) and Malondialdehyde (MDA). This study shows that Momordica balsamina extract significantly (P< 0.05) decreased the level of serum AST, ALT, ALP, TB and DB positively by inhibiting their raise at dose-dependent manner compared to the negative control, equally, the extract increased the serum level of Albumin and total protein when compared to the negative control. On the other hand, the extract shows significant reduction of serum level of Malondialdehyde (MDA) near to normal at varying dose. The finding of the prophylactic effect of methanolic leaf extract of Momordica balsamina on histology shows significant improvement on liver cell with notable recovery and appearance of the histological architecture of the hepatocyte at the highest dose (1500 mg/kg+2mL CCl4) compared to negative control group. Conclusion: The presence of phytochemical compounds and antioxidant properties as well as a gene that is responsible for its prophylactic effect may be one of the mechanisms through which the plant extract was able to exert prophylactic effect on CCl4 induced liver injury in Wistar rats. This study suggests that M. balsamina extract may be considered as an affordable and non-invasive treatment option for liver injury in human.

Oxidative Stress Evaluation of Lambda-Cyhalothrin and Antioxidant (Vitamin E) on Male Rats

Abstract Background: Lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) is a widely used pyrethroid to control insect pests in agriculture, public health, and homes. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the oxidative stress evaluation of LCT pesticides and and antioxidants (vitamin E) in male rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty adult male rats were separated evenly into three groups after 3 weeks of acclimatization as follows: For 12 weeks, group-normal C’s feed and water were given to 10 rats. Group T was given LCT at a dose of 0.5 mL per 100 g of body weight for 12 weeks (n = 10 rats) and group E was given (LC + vitamin E) at a dose of 0.5 mL per 100 g of body weight. Results: At a results significant increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) level in the T group compared with the E group and C group. Significant decrease of glutathione (GSH) levels in the T group compared with the E group and C group. Macroscopic and microscopic lesions demonstrated atrophy of the kidney in the T group and congestion in the G group while the C group was normal the microscopic lesion of the kidney in the T group multiplied the area of the renal cast at renal tubules with degenerative changes and multiply the area of hemorrhage at the interstitial area but E group show mild degenerative changes in the structure of the renal tubule. It is interesting to note that every modification showed how detrimental LTC is to the kidneys and how vitamin E’s antioxidant capacity benefits them. Conclusions: Exposure to pesticides continuously creates a health concern, particularly in the agricultural working environment where animal and human life are intertwined. Thus, the study findings demonstrate the impact of LCT on oxidative stress and renal function as well as the antioxidant role of vitamin E.

Different behavioral profiles between invasive and native nudibranchs: means for invasion success?

Behavior is predicted to be a primary determinant of the success of the invasion process during the early phases of colonization. Comparing invaders with sympatric native species may provide a good approach to unravel behavioral traits involved in an invasion process. In this study, we carried out an experimental simulation of the introduction and the acclimatization phase into a new environment and assessed the expression of activity, alertness, and habituation in an invasive Mediterranean population of the South African nudibranch Godiva quadricolor comparing its profiles with those of the sympatric Mediterranean native nudibranchs Cratena peregrina and Caloria quatrefagesi. Individuals of these 3 species were subjected to 3 behavioral tests: spontaneous activity, carried out in the introduction phase (immediately after sampling) and after a week of acclimatization; alert test, in which a potential threat was simulated by means of a tactile stimulus, and habituation test, in which the same alert test stimulus was repeated 5 times at 30-min intervals. The invasive G. quadricolor showed higher levels of exploration activity, thigmotaxis, alertness, and sensitization than the native species. These behavioral traits may represent pivotal drivers of the ongoing invasion process.

Effects of Aqueous Fruit Extract of Annona muricata on Testosterone Propionate Induced Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) in Male Wistar Rats

Introduction: Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related non-malignant prostate gland enlargement in men that leads to pain and difficulty voiding urine. The etiology of BPH is still unknown. Studies have been reported on the effects of Annona muricata (soursop) against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with little documentation. Aim: This study aimed to determine the effects of aqueous fruit extract of A. muricata on testosterone propionate induced benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) in male Wistar Rats. Methodology: The fruits of A. muricata were processed to obtain fruit extract and phytoconstituents. An acute toxicity study was conducted with six doses of A. muricata fruit extract (10, 100, 1000, 1500, 2900 and 5000 mg/kg) to determine the safety and tolerability dose limit. A total of 48 adult male Wistar rats were used for the study. After 2 weeks of acclimatization, the animals were orchimetized. The rats were randomly divided into six groups of eight animals each; group 1 (normal control + sham treated + distilled water); groups 2 (positive control + castrated + TP/day); group 3 (finasteride (3 mg/kg) + castrated + TP/day); group 4 (100 mg/kg AM + castrated + TP/day); group 5 (200 mg/kg AM + castrated + TP/day) and group 6 (400 mg/kg AM + castrated + TP/day) for 42 days. On the 43rd day animals were euthanized, blood and prostate tissue samples were collected for biochemical and histological study. Results: This study showed that, the extract significantly (p < 0.05) decreased both the prostate weight and testosterone levels in a dose-dependent manner compared to finasteride-treated rats. The effect of the extract on the histology of the prostate had significant recovery and was able to restore the enlarged prostate to near-normal in a dose-dependent manner. A significant (p < 0.05) recovery was observed at a higher dose (400 mg/kg) of the extracts. Conclusion: The effects of Annona muricata (soursop) against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) showed inhibitory potentials via decreased prostate weight, prostate specific antigen, and testosterone levels in a dose-dependent manner. At a high dose (400 mg/kg) body weight of rats had significant recovery (p < 0.05) restoring prostatic histoarchitecture to near-normal. This study suggests that Annona muricata fruit may be considered a treatment option for benign prostatic hyperplasia in men.

Testicular toxicity in cisplatin-treated Wistar rats is mitigated by Daflon and associated with modulation of Nrf2/HO-1 and TLR4/NF-kB signaling

BackgroundTesticular toxicity is a complication of cisplatin therapy and it limits its use. Since cisplatin-induced testicular damage is mediated by inflammation and oxidative stress, evaluation of the protective role of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules such as micronized purified flavonoid fraction (Daflon®) is pertinent. Aim: Therefore, this study investigated the mitigating effect of daflon against cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity. Also, the impact of daflon on Nrf2/HO-1 and TLR4/NF-kB pathways, which are key pathways in cisplatin toxicity, was explored. Materials and methods: After 2 weeks of acclimatization, 20 male albino Wistar rats were allotted at random into 4 equal groups; control, daflon-treated, cisplatin-treated, and cisplatin+daflon-treated. Results: Daflon significantly restored cisplatin-induced reductions in body weight (112.20±9.01 vs. 129.60±5.68, P= 0.0175), body weight gain (-39.80±9.52 vs. −16.80±16.53, P= 0.0154), and testicular weight (1.69±0.08 vs. 1.95±0.13, P= 0.0980) and alterations in testicular histology. In addition, daflon abrogated cisplatin-induced rise in testicular CK (55.53±2.77 vs. 37.40±3.29, P< 0.0001) and LDH (74.52±3.20 vs. 65.89±2.08, P= 0.0009) activities, and lactate content (180.50±4.19 vs. 166.20±2.78, P< 0.0001). Also, daflon alleviated cisplatin-induced suppression of GnRH (5.09±0.60 vs. 10.17±0.51, P< 0.0001), LH (1.33±0.07 vs. 2.77±0.13, P< 0.0001), FSH (0.51±0.10 vs. 1.82±0.09, P< 0.0001), and testosterone (2.39±0.11 vs. 4.70±0.33, P< 0.001) as well as lowered sperm quality. More so, daflon attenuated cisplatin-induced testicular oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis evidenced by daflon-driven suppression of MDA (14.16±0.66 vs. 9.22±0.52, P< 0.0001), TNF-α (79.42±5.66 vs. 54.13±3.56, P< 0.0001), IL-1β (8.63±0.41 vs. 3.37±0.43, P< 0.0001), IL-6 (6.87±0.48 vs. 3.67±0.32, P< 0.0001), and caspase 3 activity (4.20±0.26 vs. 0.72±0.23, P< 0.0001) and DNA fragmentation (34.60±3.05 vs. 17.20±3.19, P< 0.0001), and upregulation of GSH level (0.07±0.03 vs. 0.36±0.03, P< 0.0001), and GPx (5.96±0.46 vs. 11.88±1.05, P< 0.0001), GST (5.16±0.71 vs. 11.50±0.81, P< 0.0001), SOD (1.29±0.15 vs. 2.81±0.29, P< 0.0001), and catalase activities (6.18±0.69 vs. 10.71±0.74, P< 0.0001). Furthermore, daflon upregulated testicular Nrf2 expression (40.25±2.65 vs. 66.62±4.01, P< 0.0001) and HO-1 (4.18±0.56 vs. 8.79±0.55, P< 0.0001) activity but downregulated TLR4 (11.63±0.89 vs. 7.23±0.43, P< 0.0001) and NF-kB levels (113.20±3.36 vs. 78.22±3.90, P< 0.0001) in cisplatin-treated rats. Conclusion: Collectively, the ameliorative effect of daflon on cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity is associated with inhibition of oxidative stress and TLR4/NF-kB-mediated inflammatory pathways and activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling.

Semen and haematological characteristics of cocks drenched varying levels of Turmeric Powder (TP)

Emerging evidence from in vivo as well as in vitro studies indicates that botanicals play noteworthy roles in the treatment, prevention and management of livestock diseases. Use of natural compounds in botanicals has been proposed as potential alternative to conventional therapeutic options. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of varying levels of turmeric powder (Curcuma longa) on semen characteristics and haematological indices of cocks. Turmeric (C. longa) rhizomes were obtained from a local market in Saki in Oyo State, Nigeria, in March 2023. They were washed, skin scraped and air-dried at room temperature for 10 hours, and then oven-dried at 40°C for 12 hours. Afterwards, the dried turmeric rhizomes were ground into powder using a blender. The product was kept in an air-tight container until use. The experimental material was drenched at 0.00 g (T1), 0.50 g (T2), 1.00 g (T3) and 1.50 g (T4) after 2 weeks of acclimatization. Semen volume, sperm cell progressive motility, sperm cell liveability, acrosome integrity, sperm cell concentration and normal sperm cell were evaluated for semen characteristics. Haematological parameters measured were: PCV, RBC, WBC Hb, MCV, MCH, MCHC and white blood cell differentials. Data obtained were subjected to one-way analysis of variance. Semen volume (0.34 – 0.37 ml), sperm cell progressive motility (68.33 – 80%), sperm cell liveability (46.66 – 85.00%), acrosome integrity (50.00 – 85%) and normal sperm cell (66.66 – 90%) showed significant difference (p&lt;0.05) in favour of cocks on highest level (1.50 g) of turmeric powder, while sperm cell concentration (28.33 - 40.00 X109/ml) showed no significant difference (p&gt;0.05). Also PCV (36.00 – 40.33%), RBC (3.55 – 3.74 X106/ml), WBC (19.01 – 19.71 X109/ml), Hb (11.66 – 13.00 dl), MCV (100.53 – 109.53 ⴄ), MCH (32.57 – 35.31pg) and MCHC (32.00 – 32.37%) showed no significant differences (p&gt;0.05) between treatments. In conclusion turmeric powder up to 1.50 g showed an improvement in all the semen characteristics measured without negative effect on haematological characteristics of cocks.

PERFORMANCE, HAEMATOLOGY AND SERUM BIOCHEMISTRY OF RABBIT BUCKS FED SUPPLEMENTAL LEVELS OF Saccharomyces cerevisiae

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth performance, haematological and serum biochemical indices of rabbit bucks. Eighteen bucks were used for the study. They were assigned to three treatment groups with 6 bucks per treatment, replicated 3 times in a completely randomized design for twenty-eight (28) days. The bucks were allowed one week of acclimatization before the commencement of the study, during which they were fed commercial growers diets and forages. The bucks were fed a formulated ration supplemented with S. cerevisiae at 0.0, 0.3 and 0.6g respectively and were coded T1, T2 and T3 respectively. T1served as control. Growth parameters, haematological indices and serum chemistry were measured in the course of the study. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using SPSS version 21, and means were separated using Duncan of same software. The results revealed that S. cerevisae did not have effect (p&gt;0.05) on the growth parameters in the rabbit bucks. This study revealed that Saccharomyces cerevisiae did not have significant effect (p&gt;0.05) in the PCV of bucks in the study as T1, T2 and T3 all had similar (p&gt;0.05) PCV values of 39.00, 39.00 and 41.00% respectively. S. cerevisiae influenced (P&lt;0.05) serum enzymes but did not have significant effect (p&gt;0.05) on total protein, blood urea, ALT creatinine and glucose. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of S. cerevisiae at 0.60% did not have significant effect on growth parameters and most haematological and serum biochemical indices.

Ameliorating Effects of Arsenic-Induced Toxicity On The Histology Of Vagina And Reproductive Hormones Of Female Sprague Dawley Rats

Objective: To find out the toxic effects of arsenic on the histology of the vagina and reproductive hormones of female Sprague Dawley rats. Methods: 60 female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into control group A and experimental group B with 30 rats in each group. The gross weight of all the rats was checked before and at the end of the experiment. After one week of acclimatization, the control group was administered 10ml of distilled water by oral gavage daily for 14 days and the experimental group was administered 4µg of sodium arsenite dissolved in 10ml of distilled water by oral gavage daily for 14 days. After being euthanized by chloroform inhalation on day 15, blood from each rat was drawn by a single intra-cardiac puncture and stored for biochemical analysis. After that, rats were sacrificed and the whole reproductive tract was removed and vaginal sections were prepared and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;E ). The histological parameters were analyzed by using Image J software. Whereas, biochemical parameters e.g. serum LH and FSH levels were analyzed by ELISA. Results: After exposure to a low dose of arsenic administered for a short period, the gross weight of rats, weight of reproductive tract, height of vaginal epithelium and serum FSH and LH values were significantly reduced in experimental animals as compared to control animals with p-value &lt; 0.05. Conclusion: Low dose of arsenic given via contaminated drinking water for a short period is very toxic to the female reproductive tract which is evident by the histological changes in the vagina and deranged hormonal profile of female Sprague Dawley rats. Keywords: Arsenic, FSH, Free radicals, LH, Oxidative stress, Vagina.

Propagación in vitro de Annona deceptrix (westra) H. Rainer (Annonaceae) una especie en peligro de extinción en Ecuador

This work aims to develop a protocol for the in vitro propagation of Annona deceptrix (westra) H. Rainer. In addition, it measures survival in ex-vitro conditions. Nodal shoot segments were used as explants, disinfected with different NaClO concentrations and exposure times, and then precultured in the Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal culture medium. Woody Plant Medium (WPM) was used for the multiplication and rooting phase, with different types and concentrations of phytoregulators. In the establishment phase, the explants responded better with the 1% NaClO treatment for 15 minutes, where the highest survival percentage was observed at 72.04%. For the variable number of shoots and stem diameter, the treatment with BAP (1 mgL-1) + (GA3 0.25 gL-1) + (WPM) reached the best average with a value of 2.00 and 2.35, respectively. Mm, respectively. For root induction, the best response was obtained when 3mgL-1 IBA (T3) was added to the culture medium, reaching an average root length of 5.75 cm after 60 days of culture in the medium. The rooted Vitro plants of an approximate height of 5 cm were brought to the mesh house for their acclimatization; in this phase, the survival rate was evaluated during the first week of acclimatization, and the plant's growth fifteen days after sowing in trays containing a peat-based substrate, where T3 had an average survival of 70% and higher plant height at 60 days, indicating that this treatment promoted faster seedling development under conditions exvitro. Keywords: Annona deceptrix, propagation, in vitro rooting, ex-vitro acclimatization, growth regulators.

Effects of electroacupuncture on the inflammatory response and intestinal flora in obese rats

To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expressions of high mobility group protein 1(HMGB1) and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) in the small intestine and intestinal flora of obese rats, so as to explore the potential mechanism of EA to improve obesity in rats. After 1 week of acclimatization, 10 rats were randomly selected from 50 Wistar male rats as the normal group, and the rest rats were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks to establish the obese model. The successfully modeling rats were randomly divided into model group, EA group and sham EA group, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the EA group were given EA (2 Hz, 1 mA) at "Zhongwan"(CV12), "Guanyuan"(CV4), "Zusanli" (ST36)and "Fenglong"(ST40). Rats in the sham EA group were given shallow stabs at acupoints of the EA group about 5 mm outwardly and the electrodes were clamped without being energized. Both groups were intervened for 10 min each time, 3 times (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) a week for 8 weeks. The body weights of the rats were measured before and after 8 weeks of intervention, respectively. The contents of serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were measured by ELISA, and the protein and mRNA expressions of HMGB1 and MyD88 in the small intestine were detected by Western blot and real-time quantitative PCR, respectively. 16S rRNA sequencing was performed to determine the relative abundance and diversity of the bacterial flora in the fresh feces of rats. Compared with the normal group, the body weight, serum LPS and TNF-α contents, small intestinal HMGB1 and MyD88 protein and mRNA expression levels of rats in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.01), while the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Muri and Bifidobacterium was decreased (p<0.01), Collinsella, Prevotella and Ruminococcus was increased (P<0.01). Compared with model group, the body weight, serum LPS and TNF-α contents, protein and mRNA expression levels of HMGB1 and MyD88 in both EA and sham EA groups were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), while the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Muri and Bifidobacterium was increased (P<0.01) and Collinsella, Prevotella and Ruminococcus decreased (P<0.01). Comparison between EA group and sham EA group showed that, the contents of LPS and TNF-α in serum of rats in sham EA group were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Muri and Bifidobacterium was lower (P<0.05, P<0.01), and Collinsella, Prevotella and Ruminococcus was higher (P<0.01). EA can reduce the body weight of obese rats, which may be related to the regulation of the structure of intestinal flora and the reduction of inflammatory reactions in the small intestine.

Ameliorative Potential of Pumpkin Seed Oil (Cucurbita pepo L.) Against Tramadol-Induced Oxidative Stress.

The increase in the therapeutic use of tramadol in the management of moderate to severe pains in some disease conditions and its unregulated access has led to its associated toxicity and there is little or no information on the protection against its associated toxicity. Considering the medicinal value of pumpkin seed oil, its availability, and neglected use, it becomes necessary to evaluate the possible potential of the seed oil in tramadol-induced oxidative stress in Wister Albino rats. This study used fifty-six (56) albino rats to determine the impact of Cucurbita pepo seed oil (CPSO) on tramadol-induced oxidative stress. The rats were grouped into 7. After a week of acclimatization, rats in group 1 (normal control) had access to water and food, while rats in group 2 received 5mL/Kg (b.w) of normal saline. 100mg/kg of tramadol (TM) was delivered to groups 3-6 to induce toxicity. The third group (TM control) received no treatment, whilst the other 3 groups (TM-CPSO treatment groups) received 5, 2.5, and 1.5mL/Kg of CPSO, respectively. Group 7 received only 5mL/kg CPSO (CPSO group). Similarly, groups 2 through 7 had unrestricted access to food and water for 42days and received treatments via oral intubation once per day. Indicators of oxidative stress were discovered in the brain homogenate. TM toxicity was demonstrated by a considerable increase (P < .05) in the brain MDA level and a significant drop (P < .05) in the brain GSH level, as well as a significant reduction (P < .05) in GPx, catalase, SOD, GST, and quinone reductase activities. The dose-dependent delivery of CPSO was able to restore not only the activity but also the concentrations of the altered markers.

Effect of Citrullus lanatus Seeds Extract on Haematological Parameters After Administration with Medroxyprogesterone Acetate on Female Wistar Rats

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Citrullus lanatus seeds extract on the haematological parameters after administration with medroxyprogesterone acetate on female Wistar rats. Twenty-five rats weighing 170-230 g were divided into five groups containing five rats each. Group I served as control and received only rat chow and water; Group II received rat chow, water and a high dose of MPA only; Group III received rat chow, water, a high dose of MPA and a high dose of extract; group IV received rat chow, water, high dose of MPA and a low dose of extract, and group V received rat chow, water and high dose of extract only. The administration lasted for twenty-eight days after two weeks of acclimatisation. On the twenty-ninth day, the animals were anaesthetised using chloroform, sacrificed and their blood samples obtained via cardiac puncture for haematology analysis. The results showed that the level of haematological parameters significantly increased (p&lt;0.05) in the rats that received a high dose of MPA and a high dose of Citrullus lanatus seed extract compared to the control group. This suggests that MPA affects bone marrow, which produces blood cells, significantly decreasing platelet count, white blood cell count, red blood cell count, haemoglobin count, packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. This study also shows that an aqueous extract of Citrullus lanatus seed is potent in increasing the level of haematological parameters when co-administered with MPA.

Omega-3 fatty acid ameliorates bisphenol F-induced testicular toxicity by modulating Nrf2/NFkB pathway and apoptotic signaling.

Bisphenol F (BPF) has been shown to disrupt testicular functions via perturbation of testicular redox balance, while omega-3 fatty acid (O3FA) has been established to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, this study focused on the role and associated molecular mechanism of O3FA in BPF-induced testicular dysfunction in male Wistar rats. Twenty-four (24) rats were randomly grouped after two weeks of acclimatization into four (4) groups (n=6/group); the vehicle-treated control group, BPF treated group received 30 mg/kg of BPF, and the intervention groups received 30 mg/kg BPF + 100 mg/kg O3FA (BPF+O3FA-L) and 30 mg/kg BPF + 300 mg/kg of O3FA (BPF+O3FA-H). All treatment lasted for 28 days. Low and high doses of O3FA ameliorated BPF-impaired sperm quality, and induced hormonal imbalance, accompanied by a distortion in testicular histology and elevated testicular injury markers. Furthermore, co-administration of BPF with both doses of O3FA blunted BPF-induced redox imbalance, inflammatory response, and apoptosis. In conclusion, our present findings show that O3FA improves testicular functions in BPF-treated rats by improving sperm quality and reproductive hormones via the maintenance of testicular redox balance.

Bisphenol-A disturbs hormonal levels and testis mitochondrial activity, reducing male fertility.

How does bisphenol-A (BPA) influence male fertility, and which mechanisms are activated following BPA exposure? BPA exposure causes hormonal disruption and alters mitochondrial dynamics and activity, ultimately leading to decreased male fertility. As public health concerns following BPA exposure are rising globally, there is a need to understand the exact mechanisms of BPA on various diseases. BPA exposure causes hormonal imbalances and affects male fertility by binding the estrogen receptors (ERs), but the mechanism of how it mediates the hormonal dysregulation is yet to be studied. This study consisted of a comparative study using mice that were separated into a control group and a group exposed to the lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) (n = 20 mice/group) after a week of acclimatization to the environment. For this study, the LOAEL established by the US Environmental Protection Agency of 50 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day of BPA was used. The control mice were given corn oil orally. Based on the daily variations in BW, both groups were gavaged every day from 6 to 11 weeks (6-week exposure). Before sampling, mice were stabilized for a week. Then, the testes and spermatozoa of each mouse were collected to investigate the effects of BPA on male fertility. IVF was carried out using the cumulus-oocyte complexes from female hybrid B6D2F1/CrljOri mice (n = 3) between the ages of eight and twelve weeks. Signaling pathways, apoptosis, and mitochondrial activity/dynamics-related proteins were evaluated by western blotting. ELISA was performed to determine the levels of sex hormones (FSH, LH, and testosterone) in serum. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to determine the effects of BPA on histological morphology and stage VII/VIII testicular seminiferous epithelium. Blastocyst formation and cleavage development rate were evaluated using IVF. BPA acted by binding to ERs and G protein-coupled receptors and activating the protein kinase A and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways, leading to aberrant hormone levels and effects on the respiratory chain complex, ATP synthase and protein-related apoptotic pathways in testis mitochondria (P < 0.05). Subsequently, embryo cleavage and blastocyst formation were reduced after the use of affected sperm, and abnormal morphology of seminiferous tubules and stage VII and VIII seminiferous epithelial cells (P < 0.05) was observed. It is noteworthy that histopathological lesions were detected in the testes at the LOAEL dose, even though the mice remained generally healthy and did not exhibit significant changes in BW following BPA exposure. These observations suggest that testicular toxicity is more than a secondary outcome of compromised overall health in the mice due to systemic effects. Not applicable. Since the protein expression levels in the testes were validated, in vitro studies in each testicular cell type (Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and spermatogonial stem cells) would be required to shed further light on the exact mechanism resulting from BPA exposure. Furthermore, the BPA doses employed in this study significantly exceed the typical human exposure levels in real-life scenarios. Consequently, it is imperative to conduct experiments focusing on the effects of BPA concentrations more in line with daily human exposures to comprehensively assess their impact on testicular toxicity and mitochondrial activity. These findings demonstrate that BPA exposure impacts male fertility by disrupting mitochondrial dynamics and activities in the testes and provides a solid foundation for subsequent investigations into the effects on male reproductive function and fertility following BPA exposure, and the underlying mechanisms responsible for these effects. In addition, these findings suggest that the LOAEL concentration of BPA demonstrates exceptional toxicity, especially when considering its specific impact on the testes and its adverse consequences for male fertility by impairing mitochondrial activity. Therefore, it is plausible to suggest that BPA elicits distinct toxicological responses and mechanistic endpoints based on the particular concentration levels for each target organ. This work was supported by the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (NRF-2018R1A6A1A03025159). No competing interests are declared.

Sodium acetate abates lead-induced sexual dysfunction by upregulating testosterone-dependent eNOS/NO/cGMP signaling and activating Nrf2/HO-1 in male Wistar rat.

Oxidative stress has been linked with lead toxicity, including lead-induced sexual dysfunction. On the contrary, sodium acetate has been proven to exert antioxidant activity. However, the effect of sodium acetate on lead-induced sexual dysfunction has not been fully explored. This study investigated the effect of sodium acetate on lead-induced sexual dysfunction, exploring the involvement of testosterone, eNOS/NO/cGMP, and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling. Twenty male Wistar rats with similar weights were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 5 rats/group) after two weeks of acclimatization. Animals were vehicle-treated (0.5ml/day of distilled water, per os), acetate-treated (200mg/kg/day, per os), lead-treated (20mg/kg/day, per os), or lead + acetate-treated. The results revealed that sodium acetate treatment attenuated lead-induced rise in penile lead, malondialdehyde and oxidized glutathione concentrations, and acetylcholinesterase activity. In addition, lead exposure prolonged mount, intromission, and ejaculation latency and reduced mount, intromission, and ejaculation frequency, as well as the motivation to mate and penile reflex, which were improved by acetate treatment. More so, acetate treatment ameliorated lead-induced reductions in absolute and relative penile weight, eNOS, NO, cGMP, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone, dopamine, Nrf2, HO-1, and reduced glutathione concentrations, as well as glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that sodium acetate attenuated lead-induced sexual dysfunction by upregulating testosterone-dependent eNOS/NO/cGMP and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling. Despite the compelling data presented in this study, other possible associated mechanisms in the protective role of acetate should be explored.

Effect of Peganum harmala Total Alkaloid Extract on Sexual Behavior and Sperm Parameters in Male Mice.

The study was designed to evaluate the effects of the total alkaloid extract of Algerian Peganum harmala seeds on sexual behavior and male reproductive function. After two weeks of acclimatization, the male mice were randomly divided into four groups (seven mice in each group). For 35 days, the extract was administered orally at dose levels of 6.25, 12.5, and 25 mg/kg body weight per day to the respective groups of male mice (n = 7) and normal saline daily to the control group. On day 28, sexual behavior parameters were recorded. At the end of the trial, reproductive organ weights, sperm quality, seminal fructose, and testosterone hormone levels were evaluated. The three treated groups were compared with the control using statistical variance analysis (one-way ANOVA, p < 0.05), followed by Tukey's test. The results of the groups treated with 12.5 and 6.25 mg/kg of P. harmala alkaloid revealed the MF and IF parameters to be the lowest compared to the control group (p < 0.05). However, the male mice treated with 25 mg/kg recorded the highest values. A low significant value of ML was observed in the group treated with 25 mg/kg of the total alkaloid extract of P. harmala compared to the control group (p < 0.01), while a rise was observed in the concentration group treated with 6.25 mg/kg. Regarding IL, the male mice treated with different concentrations of the total alkaloid extract of P. harmala recorded a higher time than the control group. Moreover, an increase in the gonadosomatic index was noticed in all groups compared to the control group. However, there was a significant (p < 0.01) decrease in the sperm counts of the groups treated with 12.5 mg/kg and 6.25 mg/kg. However, there was no significant difference in the motility, membrane integrity, and total antioxidant capacity of sperm cells compared to the control. The extract treatment also brought about a non-significant increase in fructose content of the seminal vesicle and serum testosterone level. The findings of this study demonstrate that the extract acts in a dose-dependent manner, and it has varying effects on the reproductive parameters of male mice.