Chemotherapy is associated with male infertility. Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloro-platinum (II) (CDDP) as a chemotherapy medication used to treat a number of cancers has been reported to most likely induce testicular toxicity. Administration of antioxidants, such as pentoxifylline (PTX) may reduce some Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) of CDDP. Therefore, this study investigated the potentially protective effects of PTX on CDDP-induced testicular toxicity in adult male rats. For this purpose, 42 male rats were randomly divided into 7 groups. The rats were orally pretreated with PTX at the 3 doses of 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg once a day for 14 successive days. On the 14th day of the study, they were intraperitoneally (IP) administered with a single dose of CDDP (7 mg/kg). Finally, the sperm/testis parameters, serum levels of reproductive hormones, including testosterone, Luteinizing Hormone (LH), and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) as the pivotal endocrine factors controlling testicular functions, and histopathological changes of testis tissue were examined. Pretreatment with the two doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg PTX indicated significant increases in the sperm count and motility induced by CDDP administration. The right and significantly left testis weights were decreased following the treatment with 300 mg/kg of PTX plus CDDP. However, 75 mg/kg of PTX plus CDDP showed the best near-to-normal histopathological features. The results demonstrated that PTX alone enhanced some parameters, such as the sperm count, while reducing other parameters, including sperm fast motility and germ layer thickness. Furthermore, despite testosterone or LH levels, the mean serum FSH level was significantly augmented by the doses of 75 and 150 mg/kg. It was concluded that PTX administration cannot reduce CDDP-induced testicular toxicity even at high doses (e.g., 300 mg/kg), while it seemed to partially intensify CDDP toxicity effects at a dose of 75 mg/kg. Thus, further research is required in this regard.

INTRODUCTION:Cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity in diabetic patients. This study evaluated the effects of diabetes on myocardial capillary density and several serum angiogenic factors including nitric oxide, vascular endothelial growth factor, and soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptors.METHODS:Twelve male rats were divided into two groups: control and diabetic (n = 6 each). Diabetes was induced with a single dose of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). After 21 days, capillary density in the myocardial tissue was evaluated using immunohistochemical staining and is reported as capillaries per mm2. Blood samples were collected before and after the induction of diabetes.RESULTS:In the diabetic group, serum nitric oxide and soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 concentrations were lower than the levels in the control group, while the level of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 was significantly higher. There was no significant change in the serum vascular endothelial growth factor concentration between the diabetic and control groups; however, the ratio of vascular endothelial growth factor to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 was significantly lower in the diabetic animals. The myocardial capillary density was also lower in the diabetic group compared with the control group (1549±161 vs. 2156±202/mm2, respectively).CONCLUSION:Reduced serum nitric oxide and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 levels, increased serum vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 levels and a lower vascular endothelial growth factor to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 ratio may be responsible for the decreased myocardial capillary density in diabetic rats.

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IntrOductIOnIVM of oocytes is an effective method for the production of mature oocyte used in ART, which includes IVF cloning and Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). IVM is a cost-benefit technique with few side effects for gonadotropin stimulation of IVF, and is a simple treatment for certain infertile couple [1][2][3][4]. The GV-stage oocytes which are stripped of cumulus cells have a reduced developmental capacity when compared with cumulus enclosed GV-stage oocytes [5,6]. Cumulus cells play an important role in oocyte maturation, since they provide and transfer several known and unknown factors that are essential in the regulation of meiotic progression, normal nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of oocytes and subsequent embryonic development after fertilization [7,8]. Studies have demonstrated that inappropriate culture mediums increase ROS resulting in OS events, DNA damage and low quality of oocytes. These are the main factors that lead to failure in IVM and decrease productivity [9,10]. OS appears to be responsible for many injuries in the embryo and oocyte [9,11,12]. Embryo metabolism generates ROS via several enzymatic mechanisms that penetrate the cell membrane and pass through it to damage cellular molecules such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids [13]. BME and CYS are thiol compounds that stimulate glutathione (GSH) synthesis [14]. Despite the fact that there is more stability of CYS than other thiol compounds, the effect of this substance on the growth of oocytes or embryos depending on breed, dose rate and the medium, is shown differently.GSH is one of the components of many biological processes, which includes the construction of DNA, protein metabolism of drugs and chemicals, and it protects the cells during OS events [15]. In addition, GSH and its revival mode of reproduction and early development of organism play a unique role. It can reduce the generation of free radicals such as hydrogen peroxide and oxygen free radicals, which are disruptive to oocytes. It has been shown that GSH plays an important role in oocyte maturation [15]. Intracellular GSH is an essential part in the development of the oocyte cytoplasm. Activities of GSH-related antioxidant properties protect the oocyte at the front of the active molecules of oxygen is toxic. With this consideration, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of antioxidants (BME and CYS) on improving ART invitro which is essential. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to ascertain whether enriching the oocyte medium with antioxidants, BME and CYS may improve IVM and fertilization and embryo development into blastocyst, of mouse immature oocyte. MAterIAls And MethOdsThis experimental study was carried out in the cellular and molecular research center at Yasuj University of Medical Sciences in Iran. The University ethic committee approved the design of study. Sixteen mice were housed under standard laboratory conditions (temperature of 20±2°C, relative humidity of 40-45% and light-dark cycle of 12:12 hour) and had free access ...

Introduction:In Iranian traditional medicine, Asparagus persicus has been used for treating rheumatic pain and inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory as well as acute toxicity effects of Asparagus persicus root essential oil (APEO) in male mice.Materials and Methods: Male adult mice were used. In pain assessment tests (writhing, tail-flick, and formalin tests), animals divided to the six groups: control/vehicle (Tween 80+distilled water), three groups treated with the APEO (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, gavage/oral treating), morphine (i.p.), and naloxone (i.p.) plus APEO (400 mg/kg). Moreover, inflammation test (xylene and carrageenan tests), animals divided to five groups: control, three groups of APEO (orally), and dexamethasone (i.p.). For toxicity tests, the animals were divided to the six groups.Results: Results showed that APEO at a dose of 400 mg/kg in writhing and tailflick tests induced an antinociceptive effect as compared with the control (P<0.01). In addition, in xylene test, treatment with doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg of APEO reduced significantly the amount of mice ear inflammation compared to the control group. No acute acute toxicity of APEO was found. Conclusion:Our findings suggests that APEO has antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in male mice.