Clinical and radiological parameters were similar in both groups after surgical correction while, complication rates, operation time and blood loss were significantly higher in ASF/PSF procedure.

Background: The aging process is accompanied by low secretion of sex hormones and testicular apoptosis. The antioxidant properties of thymoquinone (TQ) may prevent the effects of aging. Therefore, in the present study, the effects of different doses of TQ were investigated on sperm parameters, testosterone level, apoptosis, and oxidative stress in a mouse model of D-galactose-induced aging. Methods: In this experimental study, 30 adult male mice were randomly divided into 5 groups. The control group did not receive any injections, while the D-galactose group received an intraperitoneal injection of 300 mg/kg of D-galactose for 42 days. The TQ1-TQ3 groups received intraperitoneal injections of 5, 2.5, and 1.25 mg/kg of TQ plus D-galactose, respectively for 14 days (from the 1st to the 14th day of the experiment). The morphometric analysis, testicular apoptosis examination, and sperm analysis were performed, and testosterone level, total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde level were evaluated on day 42 of the experiment. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Administration of TQ in the TQ1 group caused a significant difference in sperm parameters, compared to the D-galactose group (P<0.05). The lowest amount of positive tunnel cells was related to 5 mg/kg of TQ and the highest to 2.5 mg/kg of TQ. There was no significant difference in the parameters of seminal vesicles, epididymis, prostate, and testis between the groups (P>0.05). The malondialdehyde level were decreased in the TQ1-TQ3 groups, compared to the D-galactose group (P<0.001). On the other hand, the total antioxidant capacity was increased significantly in the TQ1 group, compared to the D-galactose group (P<0.001). Conclusion: Administration of 5 mg of TQ for 14 days improved sperm quality and biochemical parameters, while reducing apoptotic cells of the testes in a mouse model of aging.

There is an abundance of evidence showing that repeated use of 3,4-methlylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; ecstasy) is associated with brain dysfunction, memory disturbance, locomotor hyperactivity, and hyperthermia. MDMA is toxic to both the serotonergic neurons and dopaminergic system. Adenosine is an endogenous purine nucleoside with a neuromodulatory function in the central nervous system. Nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kB) plays a pivotal role in the initiation and perpetuation of an immune response by triggering the expression of major inflammatory mediators such as cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules. Here, we investigated the effects of the A2a adenosine receptor (A2a-R) agonist (CGS) and antagonist (SCH) on NF-kB expression after MDMA administration. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected to MDMA (10 mg/kg) followed by intraperitoneal injection of either CGS or SCH (0.03 mg/kg each) to animals. The hippocampi were then removed for western blot and RT- PCR analyses. MDMA significantly elevated NF-kB expression. Our results show that administration of CGS following MDMA significantly elevated the NF-kB expression both at mRNA and protein levels. By contrast, administration of the A2a-R antagonist SCH resulted in a decrease in the NF-kB levels. Taken together, these results indicate that, co-administration of A2a agonist (CGS) can protect against MDMA neurotoxic effects by increasing NF-kB expression levels; suggesting a potential application for protection against the neurotoxic effects observed in MDMA users.

The CatSper gene family is known to be solely expressed in sperm cells and is possibly associated with sperm motility and penetration through the zona pellucida. Despite its vital role in male fertility, factors regulating its expression are not widely known. The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of dioxin on CatSper2 gene and protein expression, testicular histopathology, sperm quality and biochemical parameters in a mice model. The experiments were performed on 32 Naval Medical Research Institute male mice (2–3 months). The animals were divided into four groups in a random manner: (a) control; (b) dioxin 1; (c) dioxin 2; and (d) dioxin 3. The treatment groups received 0.1, 0.5 and 1 µg/kg of dioxin intraperitoneally every day for 2 weeks. Administration of dioxin significantly downregulated the CatSper2 gene and protein expression. A greater reduction in gene and protein expression was found at higher doses of dioxin. At the same time, sperm parameters, especially sperm motility and count, decreased in mice exposed to dioxin. The results of testicular histopathology showed necrotic degeneration and epithelium thickness reduction in the dioxin groups in comparison with the controls. Besides, oxidative stress increased in seminiferous tubules.