Cratoxylum formosum dyer extract alleviates testicular damage in hypertensive rats

Ameliorating monosodium glutamate-induced testicular dysfunction by modulating steroidogenesis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis: therapeutic role of hesperidin

Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a commonly used food ingredient, has been reported to induce testicular dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of hesperidin (HESP), a citrus flavonoid, against MSG-induced testicular dysfunction, comparing it to sildenafil citrate (Sc). This investigation focused on oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, histological alterations, spermatogenesis, steroidogenic enzyme expression, and reproductive hormone levels. Twenty-four adult male rats were divided into four groups: a negative control group (n = 6) and three MSG-treated groups (n = 18) that received MSG (1 g/kg/day) for four weeks, followed by either no treatment (positive control), HESP (200 mg/kg/day), or Sc (5 mg/kg/day) for another four weeks. Oral MSG exhibited significant reductions in gonadosomatic index, sperm parameters, and reproductive hormones, accompanied by downregulation of steroidogenic genes, severe histological damage to testicular tissues, and marked elevation in oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis markers. HESP significantly improved sperm count (88 %) and motility (59 %), while reducing sperm abnormalities (34 %), outperforming Sc, which decreased sperm abnormalities by 15 %. Further, HESP significantly reduced inflammatory markers, including nuclear factor-kappa B, TNF-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6 compared to MSG, outperforming Sc. HESP also demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing Bax by 41 % and increasing Bcl-2 by 68 %, while Sc reduced both by 27 % and 28 %, respectively. However, Sc also demonstrated superior efficacy in reducing malondialdehyde levels (67 %) and increasing catalase activity by 645 %, exceeding the effects of HESP (34 and 413 %, respectively). Overall, HESP outperformed Sc by reducing oxidative damage, inflammation, and apoptosis, while enhancing steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis, and reproductive hormones in MSG-treated rats.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension-Induced Reproductive Damage: Effects of Combined Physical Training on Testicular and Epididymal Parameters in Rats

Background/Objectives: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) affects the pulmonary vasculature and cardiac function. While its impact on target organs has been extensively studied, little is known about its effects on highly vascularized organs, such as those from the male reproductive system. This study explores the impact of PAH on testis and epididymis, evaluating the potential role of combined exercise training as a non-pharmacological strategy to mitigate alterations in these organs. Methods: Male Wistar rats (n = 8/group) were assigned to one of three groups: sedentary control, sedentary PAH, and exercise PAH. PAH was induced by monocrotaline administration (60 mg Kg-1, i.p). The exercise PAH group underwent three weeks of combined physical training, including treadmill aerobic activity and resistance training on a ladder. Testis and epididymis were analyzed histologically, histomorphometrically, and biochemically for antioxidant activity, oxidative stress markers, and sperm parameters. Results: Sedentary PAH animals showed reductions in body and epididymis weight, normal seminiferous tubule percentage, and testicular morphometric parameters. These changes led to disorganized seminiferous tubules and compromised sperm production and sperm count in the testis and epididymis. Combined physical training improved testicular morphometric alterations and increased sperm count in hypertensive animals. Conclusions: PAH negatively affects testicular structure and function, leading to low sperm production. Combined physical training mitigated these effects by preserving testicular architecture and improving reproductive parameters, though it appeared less effective for the epididymis. These findings suggest physical training as a potential therapeutic strategy to protect reproductive health in PAH.

Metabolomic analyses uncover an inhibitory effect of niclosamide on mitochondrial membrane potential in cholangiocarcinoma cells

Background

Niclosamide is an oral anthelminthic drug that has been used for treating tapeworm infections. Its mechanism involves the disturbance of mitochondrial membrane potential that in turn inhibits oxidative phosphorylation leading to ATP depletion. To date, niclosamide has been validated as the potent anti-cancer agent against several cancers. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of niclosamide on the liver fluke Opisthorchis viverrini (Ov)-associated cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) cell functions remain to be elucidated. The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of niclosamide on CCA cell proliferation and on metabolic phenoconversion through the alteration of metabolites associated with mitochondrial function in CCA cell lines.

Materials and Methods

The inhibitory effect of niclosamide on CCA cells was determined using SRB assay. A mitochondrial membrane potential using tetramethylrhodamine, ethyl ester-mitochondrial membrane potential (TMRE-MMP) assay was conducted. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics was employed to investigate the global metabolic changes upon niclosamide treatment. ATP levels were measured using CellTiter-Glo® luminescent cell viability assay. NAD metabolism was examined by the NAD+/NADH ratio.

Results

Niclosamide strongly inhibited CCA cell growth and reduced the MMP of CCA cells. An orthogonal partial-least square regression analysis revealed that the effects of niclosamide on suppressing cell viability and MMP of CCA cells were significantly associated with an increase in niacinamide, a precursor in NAD synthesis that may disrupt the electron transport system leading to suppression of NAD+/NADH ratio and ATP depletion.

Conclusion

Our findings unravel the mode of action of niclosamide in the energy depletion that could potentially serve as the promising therapeutic strategy for CCA treatment.