In the modern era, sleep deprivation (SD) is one of the most common health problems that has a profound influence on an individual’s quality of life and overall health. Studies have identified the possibility that lack of sleep can stimulate inflammatory responses. NLRP3 inflammasome, a key component of the innate immune responses, initiates inflammatory responses by enhancing proinflammatory cytokine release and caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis. In this study, NLRP3 modification, its proinflammatory role, and potential targeted therapies were reviewed with regard to SD-induced outcomes. A growing body of evidence has showed the importance of the mechanistic connections between NLRP3 and the detrimental consequences of SD, but there is a need for more clinically relevant data. In animal research, (i) some animals show differential vulnerability to the effects of SD compared to humans. (ii) Additionally, the effects of sleep differ depending on the SD technique employed and the length of SD. Moreover, paying attention to the crosstalk of all the driving factors of NLRP3 inflammasome activation such as inflammatory responses, autonomic control, oxidative stress, and endothelial function is highly recommended. In conclusion, targeting NLRP3 inflammasome or its downstream pathways for therapy could be complicated due to the reciprocal and complex relationship of SD with NLRP3 inflammasome activation. However, additional research is required to support such a causal claim.

Background: MDMA (Ecstasy;3,, an illicit drug that has been increasingly abused by young people, affects target organs including reproductive system induced by oxidative stress. In biological systems, lipid peroxidation is probably reduced effectively by Vitamin E, a strong antioxidant inhibiting free radicals. Objectives: The current study was an attempt to assess the protective effects of Vitamin E on serum biochemical indices and sperm quality parameters in MDMA treated mice. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 28 male albino mice were randomly assigned to four equal groups. Group 1 (control) received saline by gastric gavage and i.p.; Group 2 (MDMA) received MDMA (10 mg/kg) i.p. and saline by gastric gavage; Group 3 (MDMA + Vitamin E) received MDMA (10 mg/kg) i.p. and vitamin E (150 mg/kg) by gastric gavage; and Group 4 (olive oil) received virgin olive oil (150 mg/kg) by gastric gavage and saline i.p. MDMA was injected with single daily dose, three sequential days/week for 5 weeks (35 days). Blood samples were collected, and then the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Animals' cauda epididymis were dissected and used for analyzing and evaluating sperm parameters including sperm count, motility, viability, DNA damage, nuclear maturation, and sperm morphology. Results: Comparison of the MDMA group with the other groups indicated a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and sperm parameters including sperm count, motility, viability, nuclear maturation, and sperm morphology. A significant increase (P < 0.05) was observed in the malondialdehyde (MDA) and percentage of sperm with DNA damage of the MDMA group compared to the other groups. We observed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in TAC and sperm parameters including sperm count, motility, viability, nuclear maturation, and sperm morphology along with a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in MDA and DNA sperm damage in the MDMA + Vit E group compared to the MDMA group. While, the MDMA+Vit E group showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in sperm motility, sperm morphology, and viability along with a significant increase (P < 0.05) in DNA sperm damage and nuclear maturation compared to the control group. TAC, MDA, and sperm count study showed no significant difference when compared to the control group. Conclusions:The results of the present study showed that MDMA caused induced toxicity in sperm parameters, reduced TAC, and increased MDA level. However, Vitamin E was proven to decrease effectively the deleterious and harmful effects of MDMA on sperm parameters.

Background: The production of stress oxidative condition in body which is caused by consumption of ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine [MDMA]) leads to a liver damage. As an antioxidant, Vitamin E can protect cells and tissues against the deleterious effects of free radicals. This study evaluates the protective effects of Vitamin E on MDMA induced liver toxicity. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight male albino mice were randomly assigned to four equal groups. Group 1 received saline (control), Group 2 received MDMA and saline, Group 3 received MDMA, and Vitamin E and Group 4 received Vitamin E. MDMA was injected with single daily dose, three sequential days/week for 5 weeks. At the end of the period, blood samples were collected for a biochemical analysis and then the mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation for histopathological and biochemical examinations of liver. Results: The administration of Vitamin E attenuated the increased levels of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase enzymes in serum. Vitamin E treatments significantly restored endogenous antioxidant enzymes (reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase enzyme) activities as compared with MDMA-treated animals. Histological examination of liver revealed significant morphological tissue injuries in hepatocytes after MDMA being used, but in coadministration of vitamin E and MDMA, these morphological alterations reduced. Conclusion: The study showed that MDMA administration has adverse effects on the liver. Vitamin E lessened the deleterious impact considerably.

Background: Acute exposure to MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) has some adverse effects on reproductive and cardiovascular systems, possibly because of oxidative stress induction. Supplementary vitamins such as vitamin E can decrease the rate of oxidative stress and prevent the incidence of dysfunction in organs. Objectives: This study was designed to evaluate the adverse effects of MDMA exposure on the testis and heart tissue and elucidate the protective effect of vitamin E as a potent antioxidant. Patients and Methods: We assigned 28 male albino mice into four equal groups including control, MDMA, MDMA + vitamin E, and olive oil as a solvent of the vitamin. Mice were killed at the end of day 35 to conduct histological and plasma examinations. To find the relationship and make pair-wise comparisons, the one-way ANOVA test and Tukey test were used, respectively. Results: The mean values of seminiferous epithelial height (SEH), seminiferous tubular diameter (STD), spermatogenesis indices, and the average number of Leydig and Sertoli cells were significantly lower in testicular tissues of the MDMA group. The mentioned parameters were significantly higher in the MDMA + vitamin E group than in the MDMA group (P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate in both testis and heart tissues was significantly lower in the MDMA + vitamin E group than in the MDMA group (P < 0.05). Moreover, CPK and LDH as cardiac markers were significantly higher in the MDMA group than in the other groups. Conclusions: The results clearly suggest that vitamin E considerably attenuates the deleterious effects of MDMA.