The impact of electric fields on testis physiopathology, sperm parameters and DNA integrity-The role of resveratrol

The protective role of 5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone against the harmful effects of 50 Hz electric field in rat lung tissue

There is strong scientific evidence that the electric field is harmful to life. Exposure to an electric field (EF) can cause lung toxicity and respiratory disorders. In addition, the electric field has been shown to cause tissue damage through inflammation and apoptosis. Juglone (JUG) is one of the powerful antioxidants with anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory, various pharmacological properties in the biological system. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of JUG against the potential adverse effects of electric field on the lung. Twenty-four Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups; control group (Cont), EF group, and EF exposure+JUG-treated group (EJUG). After routine histological procedures, sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) showed significant changes in lung tissues in the EF group compared to the Cont group. Significant protective effects were observed in the building volumes and histopathology in the EJUG group. Our immunohistochemical and gene expression results increased the expression of caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in the EF group (p < 0.05). Juglon increased cytokine signal suppressor (SOCS) expression (p < 0.001). These findings were consistent with the antioxidant effect of JUG treatment. We reasoned that exposure to EF damaged rat lung tissues and administration of JUG alleviated the complications caused by 50 Hz EF.

Resveratrol from Dietary Supplement to a Drug Candidate: An Assessment of Potential

Resveratrol (RVT) is a well known phyto-chemical and is widely used in dietary supplements and botanical products. It shows a wide range of pharmacological/beneficial effects. Therefore, it can be a potential candidate to be developed as phyto-pharmaceutical. Multiple diseases are reported to be treated by the therapeutic effect of RVT since it has antioxidant, anti-cancer activity and anti-inflammatory activities. It also has a major role in diabetes, arthritis, cardiac disorder and platelet aggregation etc. The major requirements are establishments regarding safety, efficacy profile and physicochemical characterization. As it is already being consumed in variable maximum daily dose, there should not be a major safety concern but the dose needs to be established for different indications. Clinical trials are also being reported in different parts of the world. Physicochemical properties of the moiety are also well reported. Moreover, due to its beneficial effect on health it leads to the development of some intellectual property in the form of patents.

Testosterone synthesis in testicular Leydig cells after long-term exposure to a static electric field (SEF)

China's clean energy and resources are mainly located in the west and north while electric load center is concentrated in the middle and east. Thus, these resources and energy need to be converted into electrical energy in situ and transported to electric load center through ultra-high voltage direct current (UHVDC) transmissions. China has built 25,000 km UHVDC transmission lines of 800 kV and 1100 kV, near which the impact of electric field on health has attracted public attention. Previous studies showed that time-varying electromagnetic field exposure could disturb testosterone secretion. To study the effect of non-time-varying electric field caused by direct current transmission lines on testosterone synthesis, male ICR mice were continually (24 h/d) exposed to static electric field of 56.3 ± 1.4 kV/m. Results showed that on the 3^rd day of exposure and on the 7^th day after ceasing the exposure of 28 d, serum testosterone level and testicular oxidative stress indicators didn't change significantly. On the 28^th day of exposure, serum testosterone levels, testicular glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity, the mRNA and protein levels of testicular StAR, PBR, CYP11A1 decreased significantly, and testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased significantly. Meanwhile, electron-dense edges and vacuolation appeared in lipid droplets of Leydig cells. The gap between inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) and outer mitochondrial membrane (OMM) enlarged, which would cause the swelling of mitochondria, the rupture and deficiency of mitochondrial membranes. Analysis showed that testicular oxidative stress could induce the damage of mitochondrial structure in Leydig cells, which would decrease the rate of cholesterol transport from cytoplasm to mitochondria. Since cholesterol is the necessary precursor of testosterone synthesis, testosterone synthesis was inhibited. The decrease of the mRNA and protein expression levels of StAR and PBR in testes could diminish the cholesterol transported from OMM to IMM. The decrease of the mRNA and protein expression levels of CYP11A1 could reduce the pregnenolone required in testosterone synthesis and inhibit testosterone synthesis consequently.

Oxidative stress associated with long term occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields

BACKGROUND

Occupational exposure to extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) may have harmful effects on biologic systems and has raised many concerns in the last decades.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of exposure to extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities.

METHODS

This study was conducted on 115 power plant workers as the exposed group and 145 office workers as the non-exposed group. The levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (Cat), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured in the serum of all subjects. Exposure to ELF-EMFs was measured based on spot measurements and the IEEE Std C95.3.1 standard.

RESULTS

The levels of MDA, SOD, and Cat in the exposed group were significantly higher than in the non-exposed group. However, the level of TAC was not significantly different between the exposed (2.45±1.02) and non-exposed (2.21±1.07) groups. The levels of MDA and SOD were higher among workers with higher exposure to electric fields than workers with low exposure. All oxidative stress indicators increased with increased exposure to magnetic fields, except TAC.

CONCLUSIONS

The antioxidant system imbalance among power plant workers may be related to long term occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields.

Ameliorating effects of agomelatine on testicular and epididymal damage induced by methotrexate in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible prophylactic effects of agomelatine (AGO) against testicular and epididymal damage induced by methotrexate (MTX) in rats. Twenty-four male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: Group I (control group), Group II (MTX group: 20 mg/kg MTX, i.p, single dose), and Group III (MTX+AGO group: 20 mg/kg MTX, i.p, single dose+40 mg/kg AGO; gavage, 7 days). The rats were killed under anesthesia 24 hours after the last AGO application. Testicular and epididymal tissues were bilaterally removed for morphometric, biochemical, pathological, and immunohistochemical analyses. Body, testicular, and epididymal weights were measured. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase levels were measured in testes. Sperm count, hyperemia, edema, inflammatory reaction, degenerated and necrotic cells were evaluated by histopathological analysis. In addition, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), osteopontin (OPN), and heat shock protein-70 (HSP70) immune reactions were analyzed in testes and epididymides. Decreased epididymal weights, increased MDA levels, decreased sperm count, hyperemia, edema, inflammatory reaction, and degenerated and necrotic cells were observed in the MTX group. In addition, iNOS, HSP70, G-CSF, and OPN immune reactions were increased. AGO improved morphometric, biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings. The present study confirms that MTX induces testicular and epididymal damage both biochemically and immunohistochemically. However, AGO demonstrated ameliorative effects on both biochemical and pathological findings of the current study.