Chitosan nanoencapsulation of Turbinaria triquetra metabolites in the management of podocyturia in nephrotoxic rats.

Cisplatin is a chemotherapeutic drug, which exhibits undesirable side effects. Chitosan nanoparticles are promising for drug delivery. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the brown alga Turbinaria triquetra ethyl acetate fraction and polysaccharides, either loaded on chitosan nanoparticles or free, against podocyturia and cisplatin nephrotoxicity in rats.

Lipoic acid and Calligonum comosumon attenuate aroclor 1260-induced testicular toxicity in adult rats.

Aroclor 1260 is one of the more representative polychlorinated biphenyls found in biota. This study was designed to delineate the testicular toxicity of Aroclor 1260 and to elucidate the potential protective role of Calligonum comosum (C. comosum) and lipoic acid in adult rats.

Dibutyl phthalate induces oxidative stress and impairs spermatogenesis in adult rats.

Phthalates are abundantly produced plasticizers, and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is the most widely used derivative in various consumer products and medical devices. This study was conducted to further explore the potential testicular toxicity of DBP in adult rats and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Adult male albino rats were treated orally with DBP at doses of 0, 200, 400, or 600 mg/kg/day for 15 consecutive days.

Lipoic acid attenuates Aroclor 1260-induced hepatotoxicity in adult rats.

The present study was aimed to investigate the mechanistic aspect of Aroclor 1260-induced hepatotoxicity and its protection by lipoic acid. The adult male Albino rats were divided into six groups. Group I served as control.

Influence of lipoic acid on testicular toxicity induced by bi-n-butyl phthalate in rats.

Bi-n-butyl phthalate (BNBP) is an environmental pollutant. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of lipoic acid (LA) against testicular dysfunction associated with the intake of to BNBP- intoxicated rats. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals each, and received medication orally for 14 days.

Taurine reverses endosulfan-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in adult rat testis.

The present study was aimed to investigate the mechanistic aspect of endosulfan toxicity and its protection by taurine in rat testes. Pre-treatment with taurine (100 mg/kg/day) significantly reversed the decrease in testes weight, and the reduction in sperm count, motility, viability and daily sperm production in endosulfan (5 mg/kg/day)-treated rats. Sperm chromatin integrity and epididymal L-carnitine were markedly decreased by endosulfan treatment.

Methoxychlor induced biochemical alterations and disruption of spermatogenesis in adult rats.

Adult male albino rats were treated orally with methoxychlor at doses of 0, 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg/day for 15 consecutive days. Testicular weight, sperm count and motility were significantly decreased. Methoxychlor at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg significantly inhibited α-glucosidase activity, while plasma testosterone was significantly decrease by the three dose levels in a dose-related pattern.

Ameliorative effect of lycopene against 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin-induced rat liver microsomal toxicity: an in vitro study.

The objective of the current study was to investigate the potential oxidative damage of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in hepatic microsomal fractions in vitro and to further elucidate the potential modulatory effect of lycopene. Rat liver microsomes were divided into four groups. Group I served as a control and is incubated with vehicle (toluene).

Crocin "saffron" protects against beryllium chloride toxicity in rats through diminution of oxidative stress and enhancing gene expression of antioxidant enzymes.

Beryllium chloride (BeCl(2)) is a highly toxic substance that accumulates in different tissues after absorption. The purpose of this study was to investigate protective role of crocin against BeCl(2)-intoxication in rats. Male Wistar rats were used in this study and categorised into four groups (n=8).

Cancer therapy and vaccination.

Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide, both in developed and in developing nations. It may affect people at all ages, even fetuses, but the risk for most varieties increases with age. Current therapeutic approaches which include surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy are associated with adverse side effects arising from lack of specificity for tumors.

Lipoic acid mitigates bisphenol A-induced testicular mitochondrial toxicity in rats.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is one of the highest volume chemicals produced worldwide. BPA is used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins used in manufacturing plastic baby bottles and lining of food cans. In this study, we investigated the BPA-induced testicular oxidative stress and perturbation of mitochondrial marker enzymes in male albino rats and its amelioration by α-lipoic acid (LA).

Effect of nonylphenol on male reproduction: analysis of rat epididymal biochemical markers and antioxidant defense enzymes.

The mechanism by which nonylphenol (NP) interferes with male reproduction is not fully elucidated. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of NP on male reproductive organ's weight, sperm characteristics, and to elucidate the nature and mechanism of action of NP on the epididymis. Adult male Wistar rats were gavaged with NP, dissolved in corn oil, at 0, 100, 200 or 300mg/kg/day for 30 consecutive days.

Mitochondrial dysfunction induced impairment of spermatogenesis in LPS-treated rats: modulatory role of lycopene.

The current study investigates the potential toxicity of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the mitochondrial fraction of rat testis and the possible protective efficacy of lycopene. Adult male Wistar rats were categorized into four groups. Two groups were administered LPS (0.

Abrogation of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice by alpha lipoic acid through ameliorating oxidative stress and enhancing gene expression of antioxidant enzymes.

Cisplatin is chemotherapeutic drug used in treatment of malignancies. However, its clinical utility is limited by nephrotoxicity. The purpose of present study is to investigate biochemical and molecular effects of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) to protect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in mice.

2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced cytotoxicity accompanied by oxidative stress in rat Sertoli cells: Possible role of mitochondrial fractions of Sertoli cells.

TCDD, as an endocrine disruptor, is known to impair testicular functions and fertility. To elucidate the mechanism(s) underlying the testicular effects of TCDD, the potential toxicity of TCDD on Sertoli cells was investigated. Furthermore, the study aims to delineate whether mitochondrial fractions of Sertoli cells are involved in mediating the testicular effects of TCDD.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced oxidative stress in adult rat Sertoli cells in vitro.

Inflammatory reactions that result from microbial infections, both localized and systemic, are reported to cause transient or permanent male infertility. The cellular mechanisms underlying the inhibitory effect of microbial infection on spermatogenesis is not fully understood. However, there is evidence that spermatogenesis is affected by bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) that induce acute inflammatory responses.

Potential testicular toxicity of sodium nitrate in adult rats.

Nitrate is a common contaminant in groundwater aquifers. Current study aimed at evaluating the potential testicular toxicity of sodium nitrate in rats. Sodium nitrate was given orally to rats at doses of 50, 100 or 200 mg/kg/day for 60 consecutive days.

Modulatory role of lipoic acid on lipopolysaccharide-induced oxidative stress in adult rat Sertoli cells in vitro.

Inflammatory reactions to microbial infections may cause male infertility. The mechanisms of inhibition of spermatogenesis can be studied in vitro using rat Sertoli cells. Bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) induce acute inflammations.

Cytotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) in isolated rat hepatocytes.

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is an environmental contaminant that induces hepatic and extrahepatic oxidative stress and the mechanisms of TCDD-induced reactive oxygen species are not fully investigated. Moreover, the potential toxicity of TCDD in isolated rat hepatocytes is not fully explored. The aim of the current study was to explore the possible cytotoxic effect of TCDD on primary rat hepatocytes and to explore the impact of mitochondria in TCDD-induced toxicity.

Aroclor 1254 induced cytotoxicity and mitochondrial dysfunction in isolated rat hepatocytes.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are widespread persistent environmental contaminants that display a complex spectrum of toxicological properties, including hepatotoxicity. Although Aroclor 1254 is ubiquitous in the environment, its potential cytotoxic effect on rat hepatocytes and the mechanism underlines its cytotoxicity are not fully investigated. Therefore, the present study was conducted to investigate: (1) the potential cytotoxicity of Aroclor 1254 in rat hepatocytes, and (2) characterization of the molecular mechanisms involved in the Aroclor 1254-induced hepatotoxicity, particularly the role of mitochondria, possibly a primary target in such event, could greatly explain the cytotoxic effect of Aroclor 1254 in rat hepatocytes.

Potential antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effects of propolis extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Free radicals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus leading to various complications including atherosclerosis. Propolis was reported to have oxygen radical scavenging activity. The present study was designed to investigate the possible antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP).

Aroclor 1254 impairs spermatogenesis and induces oxidative stress in rat testicular mitochondria.

Aroclor 1254 (A1254) has been shown to have potential testicular toxicity. The mechanism of action of A1254 on male reproduction is not clear. The present study was designed to investigate the potential toxicity of A1254 on rat spermatogenesis.

Two angular dioxygenases contribute to the metabolic versatility of dibenzofuran-degrading Rhodococcus sp. strain HA01.

Rhodococcus sp. strain HA01, isolated through its ability to utilize dibenzofuran (DBF) as the sole carbon and energy source, was also capable, albeit with low activity, of transforming dibenzo-p-dioxin (DD). This strain could also transform 3-chlorodibenzofuran (3CDBF), mainly by angular oxygenation at the ether bond-carrying carbon (the angular position) and an adjacent carbon atom, to 4-chlorosalicylate as the end product.

Molecular detection and diversity of novel diterpenoid dioxygenase DitA1 genes from proteobacterial strains and soil samples.

Resin acids are tricyclic diterpenoids naturally synthesized by trees that are released from wood during pulping processes. Using a newly designed primer set, genes similar to that encoding the DitA1 catalytic alpha-subunit of the diterpenoid dioxygenase, a key enzyme in abietane resin acid degradation by Pseudomonas abietaniphila BKME-9, could be amplified from different Pseudomonas strains, whereas ditA1 gene sequence types representing distinct branches in the evolutionary tree were amplified from Burkholderia and Cupriavidus isolates. All isolates harbouring a ditA1-homologue were capable of growth on dehydroabietic acid as the sole source of carbon and energy and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis in three strains confirmed that ditA1 was expressed constitutively or in response to DhA, demonstrating its involvement in DhA-degradation.

Multiple pathways for cationic amino acid transport in rat seminiferous tubule cells.

Arginine and ornithine are known to be important for various biological processes in the testis, but the delivery of extracellular cationic amino acids to the seminiferous tubule cells remains poorly understood. We investigated the activity and expression of cationic amino acid transporters in isolated rat Sertoli cells, peritubular cells, pachytene spermatocytes, and early spermatids. We assessed the l-arginine uptake kinetics, Na(+) dependence of transport, profiles of cis inhibition of uptake by cationic and neutral amino acids, and sensitivity to trans stimulation of cationic amino acid transporters, and studied the expression of the genes encoding them by RT-PCR.