Catechins are not major components responsible for the beneficial effect of Camellia sinensis on the ovarian δ-ALA-D activity inhibited by cadmium

The environment and female reproduction: Potential mechanism of cadmium poisoning to the growth and development of ovarian follicle

Cadmium (Cd) is ubiquitous in our environment and can easily bioaccumulate into the organism after passage through the respiratory and digestive tracts. Long-term exposure to Cd can result in the significant bioaccumulation in organism because of its long biological high-life (10-30 years), which exerts irreversible damages on the health of animals and humans. Although there are increased evidence of impeding the normal function of female reproduction resulted from Cd exposure, the mechanism of the negative action of Cd on the growth and development of ovarian follicle remains enigmatic. Thus, the purpose of the presented study is to summarize available literature which describing Cd-related toxicity involved in the adverse effects on the growth and development of the ovarian follicle. In conclusion, it is suggested that Cd causes damage to the folliculogenesis of mammalians, which results in the decline in the number and quality of ovulated oocytes and the failure in the fertilization. The mechanism behinds that may be linked to the interference to the production of reproductive hormones and the augment of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, the enhanced ROS, in turn, impairs various molecules including proteins, lipids and DNA, as well as the balance of the antioxidant defense system, mitochondrial homeostasis, endoplasmic reticulum, autophagy and epigenetic modification. This review is expected to elaborate the toxic mechanism of Cd exposure to the growth and development of ovarian follicles and provide essential remediation strategies to alleviate the damage of Cd to female reproductive health.

Bovine models for human ovarian diseases

During early embryonic development, late fetal growth, puberty, adult reproductive years, and advanced aging, bovine and human ovaries closely share molecular pathways and hormonal signaling mechanisms. Other similarities between these species include the size of ovaries, length of gestation, ovarian follicular and luteal dynamics, and pathophysiology of ovarian diseases. As an economically important agriculture species, cattle are a foundational species in fertility research with decades of groundwork using physiologic, genetic, and therapeutic experimental techniques. Many technologies used in modern reproductive medicine, such as ovulation induction using hormonal therapy, were first used in cows before human trials. Human ovarian diseases with naturally occurring bovine correlates include premature ovary insufficiency (POI), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and sex-cord stromal tumors (SCSTs). This article presents an overview of bovine ovary research related to causes of infertility, ovarian diseases, diagnostics, and therapeutics, emphasizing where the bovine model can offer advantages over other lab animals for translational applications.

The potential modulatory role of herbal additives against Cd toxicity in human, animal, and poultry: a review

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy and toxic metal and easily absorbed by animals and plants; subsequently, it is an environmental risk factor with several toxic effects in humans and animals. The main pathway of human or animal exposure to Cd is through its ingestion by water or food and by particles or fume inhalation during industrial processes. With continuous exposure to small levels of cadmium, it is being deposited in different tissues day after day, causing toxic effects on the liver, kidney, and testes. Long-term exposure to this toxic metal resulted in inflammatory infiltration, necrosis of hepatocytes, degenerative changes in testis tissues, reduction in spermatocytes, degeneration in renal tubules, and hypertrophy of renal epithelium. Therefore, we need an effective treatment to overcome cadmium poisoning. Thus, in the current review, we try to provide compiled reports and summarize information about the toxicological effects of Cd in human, animals, and poultry. This review also provides updated information about the protective actions of herbs and herbal extracts and their role as an effective strategy in reducing or preventing serious health problems and tissue damage in response to Cd toxicity.

Green Tea and Red Tea from Camellia sinensis Partially Prevented the Motor Deficits and Striatal Oxidative Damage Induced by Hemorrhagic Stroke in Rats

Green tea from Camellia sinensis plays a well-established neuroprotective role in several neurodegenerative diseases, including intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, the other teas of the same plant do not have their properties well understood; but they can be as effective as green tea as an alternative therapy. In this study, we investigated the effects of supplementation with green tea and red tea from Camellia sinensis on motor deficits and striatum oxidative damage in rats submitted to hemorrhagic stroke (ICH). Male Wistar rats were supplemented with green tea, red tea, or vehicle for 10 days prior to ICH induction. After injury, the rats were submitted to motor tests (open field for locomotion, rotarod for balance, and neurological deficit scale (NDS)) 1, 3, and 7 days after ICH induction, while the tea supplementation was maintained. Subsequently, the rats were euthanized to striatal tissue dissection for biochemical analyzes (lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species, glutathione levels, and total antioxidant capacity). ICH caused locomotor and balance deficits, as well as increased the neurological deficit (NDS). Only red tea prevented locomotor deficits after injury. Green tea and red tea prevented balance deficits on the seventh day after ICH. On NDS evaluation, green tea presented a better neuroprotection than red tea (until day 3 after ICH injury). In addition, ICH increased reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation levels, without altering antioxidant markers. Green and red teas were effective in decreasing the lipid peroxidation levels. Therefore, green and red teas partially prevented the motor deficits and striatal oxidative damage induced by ICH. Based on our results, we can consider that the two teas seem to be equally effective to prevent motor deficits and striatal oxidative damage induced by hemorrhagic stroke in rats.

Cadmium exposure in newborn rats ovary induces developmental disorders of primordial follicles and the differential expression of SCF/c-kit gene

Since the 1990s, the rising problem that gonad reproductive toxicity on adult female after exposing to cadmium (Cd), an environmental endocrine disruptor, has attracted high attention at home and abroad,and was systematically studied. Our research focuses on a further problem is that early cadmium exposure (during birth to before puberty) impact on development and function of ovarian cells and its possible mechanism. Our research focuses on the changes of ovarian cells growth and development after the newborn rat ovaries with cadmium exposure in vitro, and different expression of ovarian cells development-related factors, SCF/c-kit and changes of their DNA methylation status. We obtained ovaries from 4-day-old SD rats and cultured them in DMEM/F12 mixed with α-MEM media in vitro. Different doses of cadmium were designed as control, 0.5, 5, 10 and 50μM, and then the constituent ratio of ovarian follicle and follicular oocytes diameter were observed with microscope after 4-h exposure. We found that the increased constituent ratio of original follicle and decreased diameter of all levels of follicular oocytes(compared with control, with statistically significant differences, P<0.01).After the measurement of expression of SCF/c-kit by qRT-PCR and Western Blotting, the mRNA and protein expression of SCF/c-kit in ovarian were both decreased. We further found that the increased constituent ratio of growth follicle and increased diameter of oocytes under the treatment of adding SCF in cell culture media. Finally, MALDI-TOF-MS method showed DNA-low methylation status of SCF/c-kit promoter region after Cd exposure. Overall, we concluded that the exposure of cadimium (5-50μM) on newborn rats ovaries could inhibit follicle development.SCF/c-kit system might mediate follicle development damage caused by cadmium, which is associated with DNA hypomethylation of SCF/c-kit promoter region may be worthy of further study.

Green tea supplementation produces better neuroprotective effects than red and black tea in Alzheimer-like rat model

Green tea from Camellia sinensis plays a neuroprotective role in different neurodegenerative conditions, such as memory deficits in Alzheimer disease (AD). However, whether other teas from Camellia sinensis present similar neuroprotective effect still is not clear. Here we investigate effects of green, red and black tea supplementation on memory and hippocampus oxidative status in a rat model of Alzheimer-like disease (AD-like).

METHOD

Wistar male rats were supplemented with green, red or black tea during 8weeks before Aβ intra-hippocampal injection (2μL of Aβ-25-35, CA1 region). AD and sham rats were submitted to memory tests. After euthanasia, oxidative status in the bilateral hippocampus was quantified. Green and red teas avoid memory deficits in AD rats, but only green tea also avoids oxidative stress and damage in the hippocampus. Green tea was more effective for neuroprotection than red and black teas from the Camellia sinensis in the AD rat model.

Ilex paraguariensis crude extract acts on protection and reversion from damage induced by t-butyl hydroperoxide in human erythrocytes: a comparative study with isolated caffeic and/or chlorogenic acids

BACKGROUND

Studies comparing the effects of phytochemicals under different regimens of exposure are necessary to give a better indication about their mechanism(s) of protection. Hence, in the present study, we investigated the preventive (pre-incubation), protective (co-incubation) and/or remediative (post-incubation) activity of chlorogenic acid and caffeic acids, in comparison with Ilex paraguariensis crude extract, against t-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced damage to human erythrocytes.

RESULTS

We found that both caffeic and chlorogenic acids were able to prevent and revert the hemolysis associated with t-BHP exposure. By contrast, isolated compounds (alone or in combination) presented no effect on basal and/or t-BHP-induced non-protein thiol (NPSH) oxidation or production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBBARS). In turn, I. paraguariensis extract was effective to prevent, protect and revert the hemolysis associated with t-BHP exposure. Moreover, I. paraguariensis significantly protects and reverts t-BHP-induced NPSH oxidation and TBARS production.

CONCLUSIONS

We have found that I. paraguariensis extract acts better with respect to the protection and reversion of t-BHP-associated changes, whereas isolated compounds are more active in preventing and reverting t-BHP pro-hemolytic action. Moreover, our data suggest that the pro-hemolytic activity of t-BHP may occur via mechanism(s) other(s) than lipid peroxidation and/or NPSH oxidation. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

Supplementation with different teas from Camellia sinensis prevents memory deficits and hippocampus oxidative stress in ischemia-reperfusion

Memory and cognition impairments resultant of ischemic stroke could be minimized or avoided by antioxidant supplementation. In this regard, the neuroprotective potential of Green tea from Camellia sinensis has been investigated. However, there is a lack of information regarding the neuroprotective potential of others teas processed from the Camellia sinensis. Here we investigate the neuroprotective role of green, red, white and black tea on memory deficits and brain oxidative stress in a model of ischemic stroke in rats. Our findings show that green and red teas prevent deficits in object and social recognition memories, but only green tea protects against deficits in spatial memory and avoids hippocampal oxidative status and intense necrosis and others alterations in the brain tissue. In summary, green tea shows better neuroprotection in ischemic stroke than the others teas from Camellia sinensis.

Blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) extract ameliorates ovarian damage induced by subchronic cadmium exposure in mice: Potential δ-ALA-D involvement

Females are born with a finite number of oocyte-containing follicles and ovary damage results in reduced fertility. Cadmium accumulates in the reproductive system, damaging it, and the cigarette smoke is a potential exposure route. Natural therapies are relevant to health benefits and disease prevention. This study verified the effect of cadmium exposure on the ovaries of mice and the blueberry extract as a potential therapy. Blueberry therapy was effective in restoring reactive species levels and δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity, and partially improved the viability of cadmium-disrupted follicles. This therapy was not able to restore the 17 β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Extract HPLC evaluation indicated the presence of quercetin, quercitrin, isoquercetin, and ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid was the major substance and its concentration was 620.24 µg/mL. Thus, cadmium accumulates in the ovaries of mice after subchronic exposure, inducing cellular damage, and the blueberry extract possesses antioxidant properties that could protect, at least in part, the ovarian tissue from cadmium toxicity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 188-196, 2017.

Green tea infusion improves cyclophosphamide-induced damage on male mice reproductive system

Green tea presents catechins as its major components and it has a potential antioxidant activity. Cyclophosmamide (CP) is an antineoplastic and immunosuppressive agent, known to reduce fertility. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of green tea infusion on cyclophosphamide-induced damage in male mice reproductive system. Mice received green tea infusion (250 mg/kg) or vehicle by gavage for 14 days. Saline or CP were injected intraperitoneally at a single dose (100 mg/kg) at the 14th day. Animals were euthanized 24 h after CP administration and testes and epididymis were removed for biochemical analysis and sperm evaluation. Catechins concentration in green tea infusion was evaluated by HPLC. CP increased lipid peroxidation, DNA damage and superoxide dismutase activity whereas sperm concentration, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and 17β-hydroxysteroid (17β-HSD) dehydrogenase activities were reduced in both tissues tested. Catalase activity and protein carbonyl levels were changed only in testes, after CP administration. Green tea pre-treatment reduced significantly lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, DNA damage and restored GPx and GST activity in testes. In epididymis, therapy significantly increased sperm concentration and restored GPx and 17β-HSD activity. Green tea improves CP-induced damage on reproductive system, probably due to their high catechins content.

Delta-ALA-D inhibitory potential and protective action of Syzygium jambos and Solanum guaraniticum leaf extracts on oxidatively stressed erythrocytes

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the leaf extracts of Syzygium jambos and Solanum guaraniticum on the δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) activity, their antioxidant activity and potential protective action on oxidatively stressed erythrocytes, in order to demonstrate the safety or toxicity of the plant.

METHODS

In erythrocyte samples, the effect of both extracts on δ-ALA-D activity, H2O2-induced oxidative stress, and 2,2'azobis (2-amidinopropane) (AAPH)-induced hemolysis was evaluated, as well as some antioxidant mechanisms.

RESULTS

Both extracts inhibited δ-ALA-D activity (S. guaraniticum > S. jambos), and an involvement of the zinc ion of the δ-ALA-D structure on the inhibition of enzyme activity was verified. S. jambos leaf extract showed marked efficiency in countering H2O2-induced lipid peroxidation and in maintaining cellular integrity against AAPH-induced hemolysis. Furthermore, S. jambos exhibited greater H2O2 scavenging activity and stronger reduction power than S. guaraniticum.

DISCUSSION

Both extracts bear potent antioxidant property as an important beneficial effect. However, the inhibition of δ-ALA-D activity suggests a possible harmful effect of these vegetal preparations and indicates the need for further investigation regarding their toxicological properties. All together, these data represent a significant contribution to the knowledge of these plants, both to the scientific community and to the folk medicine.