Interrelationship between NO and androgenic activity in mice, Mus musculus, following temporal phase relation of serotonergic and dopaminergic neural oscillations

Effects of short term dietary zinc deficiency and zinc supplementation on nitro-oxidative stress in testes of Wistar rats

Zinc is crucial for several cellular functions in the biological system. Zinc insufficiency is one of the most prevalent types of micronutrient malnutrition in the world. Present study was conducted to detect testicular free radical levels i.e. lipid peroxidation (LPO), hydroperoxides, hydroxyl radical (OH.), nitric oxide (NO) and peroxynitrite (ONOO-) after short term dietary zinc deficiency and zinc supplementation. Pre-pubertal rats (n = 144) were divided into two groups with 6 sub-groups viz. zinc control (ZC, 100 µg/g zinc diet), pair-fed (PF, 100 µg/g zinc diet), zinc deficient (ZD, < 1.00 µg/g), zinc control supplementation (ZCS, 100 µg/g zinc diet), pair-fed supplementation (PFS, 100 µg/g zinc diet) and zinc deficient supplementation (ZDS, 100 µg/g zinc diet). Experiments were set for 2- and 4-weeks followed by 4 weeks of dietary zinc supplementation. Zinc deficient groups (2- and 4-weeks) exhibited significant (p < 0.05) increase in testicular LPO (TBARS), hydroperoxides, OH·, NO and ONOO- levels as compared to their respective control and pair-fed groups. Zinc deficient supplementation group (2ZDS) revealed a non-significant increase in OH·, NO and ONOO- levels while a significant increase in LPO and hydroperoxides levels. 4ZDS group showed a significant increase in the free radical levels, however the increase was less as compared to 4ZD group. Dietary zinc deficiency results in induction of cellular lipoperoxidation as well as causes stimulation of nitro-oxidative stress. Zinc supplementation (although for short duration signifying zinc redistribution in the testicular tissue) indicated positive response accounting for reduced free radical generation and also implicating its requirement in optimum level for sustentation of reproductive functions.

Protective effects of Thai Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. pruriens seeds on sexual behaviors and essential reproductive markers in chronic unpredictable mild stress mice

Background and aims

Chronic stress is a major common cause of male infertility. Many species of velvet beans are shown to be rich in l-DOPA. In Thai folklore medicine, seeds of Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC. var. pruriens (Thai Mhamui or T-MP) have been used for treating erectile dysfunction. This study aimed to determine l-DOPA levels in T-MP seed extract and investigate its preventive on sexual behaviors and reproductive parameter damages including essential proteins in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) mice.

Experimental procedure

Mice were divided into 4 groups: (I) control, (II) CUMS, (III) T-MP300 + CUMS, and (IV) T-MP600 + CUMS. Groups I and II received DW while groups III and IV were pretreated with the seed extracts (300 and 600 mg/kg BW) for 14 consecutive days before co-treatment with a randomly different CUMS/day (from 12 mild stressors) for 43 days.

Results and conclusion

T-MP seed extract contained l-DOPA approximately 10% of total dried weight. A dose of 600 mg/kg improved sexual performances and degenerative seminiferous epithelium in CUMS mice. Sperm qualities and testosterone level were elevated while corticosterone was decreased in co-treatment groups. T-MP-CUMS cotreated groups also improved expressions of AKAP4, AR, and TyrPho proteins in testis, epididymis, and sperm. T-MP increased StAR and CYP11A1 expressions in testis. It also suppressed testicular apoptosis via decreased expressions of Hsp70, caspases 3, and 9. T-MP seeds containing l-DOPA could improve sexual behaviors and essential reproductive proteins caused by CUMS.

Section

Natural Products.

Taxonomy classification by evise

Traditional Herbal Medicine; Animal Model; Histopathology.

Expression of stress hormones AVP and CRH in the hypothalamus of Mus musculus following water and food deprivation

Neurohypophyseal hormone, arginine vasopressin (AVP), in addition to acting as antidiuretic hormone is also considered to be stress hormone like hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH). Present study was designed to investigate the relative response of these stress hormones during water and food deprivation. In this study, male laboratory mice of Swiss strain were divided in 5 groups, control - provided water and food ad libitum, two experimental groups water deprived for 2 and 4days respectively (WD2 and WD4) and another two groups food deprived for 2 and 4days respectively (FD2 and FD4). Results indicate an increased expression of AVP mRNA as well as peptide in the hypothalamus of WD2 mice and the expression was further upregulated after 4days of water deprivation but the expression of CRH remained unchanged compare to their respective controls. On the other hand no change was observed in the expression of hypothalamic AVP mRNA while AVP peptide increased significantly in FD2 and FD4 mice compare to control. Further, the expression of CRH mRNA although increased in hypothalamus of both FD2 and FD4 mice, the immunofluorescent staining shows decreased expression of CRH in PVN of food deprived mice. Based on these findings it is concluded that since during osmotic stress only AVP expression is upregulated but during metabolic stress i.e. food deprivation transcription and translation of both the stress hormones are differentially regulated. Further, it is suggested that role of AVP and CRH may be stress specific.