α-Tocopherol Protects the Heart, Muscles, and Testes from Lipid Peroxidation in Growing Male Rats Subjected to Physical Efforts

Development and characterization of PVA-zein/α-tocopherol nonwoven mats for functional wound dressing applications

Wound healing poses significant clinical challenges due to issues like bacterial infections, oxidative stress, and the need for sustained therapeutic delivery. This study aimed to develop and characterize biocompatible nonwoven fibrous mats composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and zein encapsulating α-tocopherol for wound dressing applications. α-Tocopherol was nano-encapsulated in zein proteins using an antisolvent co-precipitation method, followed by its dispersion in PVA solutions. The resulting composition was then processed using a novel, scalable, and inexpensive solution blow spinning (SBS) process that offers higher throughputs to generate non-woven mats. The resulting fibers in the non-woven mats, ranging in diameter from 350 nm to 796 nm, demonstrate uniform morphology, as confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy validated the successful incorporation of α-tocopherol without altering the chemical structure of the PVA-zein matrix. Rheological assessments revealed Newtonian behavior and a decrease in viscosity with higher tocopherol content, enhancing the processability of the mats. Mechanical testing showed that increasing tocopherol content improved tensile strength, elongation, and Young's modulus. The mats exhibited a biphasic release profile with an initial burst and sustained α-tocopherol release over 24 h, fitting the Korsmeyer-Peppas model and hence indicating a diffusion-controlled mechanism. Cytotoxicity assays confirmed high cell viability (>90 %) and enhanced cell spreading, underscoring their biocompatibility. These findings suggest that PVA-zein/tocopherol fiber mats are promising candidates for functional wound dressing materials, offering sustained antioxidant activity and a favorable wound healing environment. Future work will focus on optimizing fiber composition for antimicrobial properties and conducting in vivo studies to validate their clinical efficacy.

Restoration of sperm quality in lead acetate-induced rats via treatment with Moringa oleifera leaf extract

Background

Lead intoxication triggers testicular toxicity via oxidative stress.

Aim

This study aimed to explore the antioxidant potential of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) in enhancing the semen quality of rats exposed to lead acetate.

Methods

Twenty-five healthy rats were randomly and equally divided into five groups. Group C served as the negative control, whereas group C+ was exposed to lead acetate at 50-mg/kg body weight (BW)/day without MOLE. The T1, T2, and T3 groups were exposed to lead acetate at 50-mg/kg BW and concurrently received MOLE at doses of 200-, 316-, and 500-mg/kg BW/day, respectively, for 20 days. On the 21st day, all rats were euthanized for blood collection and testicle harvesting.

Results

The result showed that exposure to lead acetate at 50-mg/kg BW/day in group C+ led to significant decreases (p < 0.05) in superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, plasma membrane integrity, Leydig and Sertoli cell counts, spermatozoa numbers, sperm motility, and live spermatozoa, as well as significant increases (p < 0.05) in malondialdehyde levels and apoptotic and necrotic sperm, compared with control group C-. The administration of MOLE to rats exposed to lead acetate resulted in improvement in all of these variables. However, SOD and testosterone levels, as well as spermatozoa numbers, viability, apoptosis, and necrosis, did not recover in group T3 (p < 0.05) compared with control group C-.

Conclusion

MOLE effectively restores sperm quality in lead acetate-induced rats.

Restoration of sperm quality in lead acetate-induced rats via treatment with Moringa oleifera leaf extract

Background

Lead intoxication triggers testicular toxicity via oxidative stress.

Aim

This study aimed to explore the antioxidant potential of Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) in enhancing the semen quality of rats exposed to lead acetate.

Methods

Twenty-five healthy rats were randomly and equally divided into five groups. Group C served as the negative control, whereas group C+ was exposed to lead acetate at 50-mg/kg body weight (BW)/day without MOLE. The T1, T2, and T3 groups were exposed to lead acetate at 50-mg/kg BW and concurrently received MOLE at doses of 200-, 316-, and 500-mg/kg BW/day, respectively, for 20 days. On the 21st day, all rats were euthanized for blood collection and testicle harvesting.

Results

The result showed that exposure to lead acetate at 50-mg/kg BW/day in group C+ led to significant decreases (p < 0.05) in superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, plasma membrane integrity, Leydig and Sertoli cell counts, spermatozoa numbers, sperm motility, and live spermatozoa, as well as significant increases (p < 0.05) in malondialdehyde levels and apoptotic and necrotic sperm, compared with control group C-. The administration of MOLE to rats exposed to lead acetate resulted in improvement in all of these variables. However, SOD and testosterone levels, as well as spermatozoa numbers, viability, apoptosis, and necrosis, did not recover in group T3 (p < 0.05) compared with control group C-.

Conclusion

MOLE effectively restores sperm quality in lead acetate-induced rats.

Protective effect of naringin against radiation-induced heart disease in rats via Sirt1/NF-κB signaling pathway and endoplasmic reticulum stress

This study was designed to explore the protective effect and mechanism of naringin (NG) on radiation-induced heart disease (RIHD) in rats. Rats were divided into four x-ray (XR) irradiation groups with different absorbed doses (0/10/15/20 Gy), or into three groups (control, XR, and XR + NG groups). Subsequently, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus was adopted to assess and compare the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS), left ventricular internal diameter at end diastole (LVIDd), and left ventricular internal diameter at end systole (LVIDs) in rats. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining and Masson staining were applied to detect the pathological damage and fibrosis of heart tissue. Western blot was used to measure the expression levels of myocardial fibrosis-related proteins, endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins, and Sirt1 (silent information regulator 1)/NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa-B) signaling pathway-related proteins in cardiac tissues. Additionally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was utilized to detect the activities of pro-inflammatory cytokines, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in cardiac tissue. The results showed that NG treatment significantly attenuated the 20 Gy XR-induced decline of LVEF and LVFS and the elevation of LVIDs. Cardiac tissue damage and fibrosis caused by 20 Gy XR were significant improved after NG treatment. Meanwhile, in rats irradiated by XR, marked downregulation was identified in the expressions of fibrosis-related proteins (Col I, collagen type I; α-SMA, α-smooth muscle actin; and TGF-β1, transforming growth factor-beta 1) and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins (GRP78, glucose regulatory protein 78; CHOP, C/EBP homologous protein; ATF6, activating transcription factor 6; and caspase 12) after NG treatment. Moreover, NG treatment also inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)], reduced the expression of MDA, and promoted the activities of SOD and CAT. Also, NG treatment promoted Sirt1 expression and inhibited p65 phosphorylation. Collectively, XR irradiation induced cardiac injury in rats in a dose-dependent manner. NG could improve the cardiac injury induced by XR irradiation by inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress and activating Sirt1/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Pre- and post-treatment of α-Tocopherol on cognitive, synaptic plasticity, and mitochondrial disorders of the hippocampus in icv-streptozotocin-induced sporadic Alzheimer's-like disease in male Wistar rat

Objective

Most dementia cases in the elderly are caused by Alzheimer's disease (AD), a complex, progressive neurological disease. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of streptozotocin (STZ) in rat's results in aberrant brain insulin signaling, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction that impair cognition change neural plasticity, and eventually lead to neuronal death. The current study aims to define the neuroprotective action of alpha-tocopherol in enhancing mitochondrial function and the function of synapses in memory-impaired rats brought on by icv-STZ.

Methods

Male Wistar rats were pre-treated with (α-Tocopherol 150 mg/kg) orally once daily for 7 days before and 14 days after being bilaterally injected with icv-STZ (3 mg/kg), while sham group rats received the same volume of STZ solvent. After 2 weeks of icv-STZ infusion, rats were tested for cognitive performance using a behaviors test and then were prepared electrophysiology recordings or sacrificed for biochemical and histopathological assays.

Results

The cognitive impairment was significantly minimized in the behavioral paradigms for those who had taken α-Tocopherol. In the hippocampus of icv-STZ rat brains, α-Tocopherol ocopherol effectively prevented the loss of glutathione levels and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity, lowered mitochondrial ROS and mitochondrial membrane potential, and also brought about a decrease in Aβ aggregation and neuronal death.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrated that by lowering neurobehavioral impairments caused by icv-STZ, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, α-Tocopherol enhanced intracellular calcium homeostasis and corrected neurodegenerative defects in the brain. These findings examine the available approach for delaying AD connected to mitochondrial malfunction and plasticity issues.

α-Tocopherol Prevents Sperm Apoptosis and Necrosis in Rats Exposed to 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a persistent organic pollutant that induces overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Studies on avoiding the adverse effects of dioxin pollution exposure are needed in all aspects, including reproductive health. This study aimed to determine the effect of α-tocopherol on superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, live spermatozoa, apoptosis, and necrosis in male rats exposed to dioxin as a model. Thirty healthy 12-week-old male rats were randomly divided into five groups. Rats in the control group were given corn oil twice daily at 4-hour intervals. The remaining rats were given TCDD 700 mg/kg BW daily, followed by administration of corn oil and α-tocopherol at doses of 77, 140, and 259 mg/kg BW/d for T0, T1, T2, and T3 groups, respectively. The treatments were conducted for 45 days; all rats were euthanized to collect blood and testicular samples on day 46. The results showed that exposure of TCDD resulted in a decrease in SOD activity and live spermatozoa and increased MDA level and death, apoptosis, and necrosis of spermatozoa (T0) compared to the control (C) group (p < 0.05). The administration of α-tocopherol, starting from the doses of 77 (T1), 149 (T2), and 259 mg (T3) per kg BW, was sequentially followed by returning MDA levels, recovering SOD activities, and restoration in the percentage of living, dead, apoptotic, and necrotic spermatozoa, similar (p > 0.05) to those of the control group. It could be concluded that the administration of α-tocopherol resolves the harmful effects of TCDD on the viability of spermatozoa in rats as a model.

α-Tocopherol restores semen quality in rats exposed to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

Background and Aim:

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is a persistent organic pollutant toxic to the human reproductive system. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of α-Tocopherol administration on the male fertility parameters of a rat model exposed to TCDD.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty healthy 12-week-old male rats were randomly divided into five groups. Rats in the control group were given corn oil twice daily in 4 h intervals. In the treatment groups, all rats were given TCDD at a dose of 700 ng/kg of body weight (BW)/day for 45 days. Four hours after receiving the TCDD, T0 rats were given corn oil, and T1, T2, and T3 rats were given α-Tocopherol at doses of 77, 140, and 259 mg/kg BW/day, respectively, for 45 days. On day 46, experimental animals were sacrificed to collect blood and testicular samples.

Results:

TCDD exposure decreased superoxide dismutase activity, plasma membrane integrity, Leydig cell count, sperm cell count, sperm viability and motility, and increased malondialdehyde levels, serum testosterone levels, and sperm morphological abnormalities. The administration of α-Tocopherol mitigated the effects of TCDD exposure, and the 140 and 259 mg/kg BW/day treatments returned those male fertility parameters to normal levels.

Conclusion:

The administration of 140 mg/kg BW/day α-Tocopherol restored male semen quality in rats exposed to TCDD. We found dynamics serum testosterone levels in rats exposed to TCDD that need to be further studied.

The Biological Role of Vitamins in Athletes’ Muscle, Heart and Microbiota

Physical activity, combined with adequate nutrition, is considered a protective factor against cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and intestinal dysbiosis. Achieving optimal performance requires a significantly high energy expenditure, which must be correctly supplied to avoid the occurrence of diseases such as muscle injuries, oxidative stress, and heart pathologies, and a decrease in physical performance during competition. Moreover, in sports activities, the replenishment of water, vitamins, and minerals consumed during training is essential for safeguarding athletes’ health. In this scenario, vitamins play a pivotal role in numerous metabolic reactions and some muscle biochemical adaptation processes induced by sports activity. Vitamins are introduced to the diet because the human body is unable to produce these micronutrients. The aim of this review is to highlight the fundamental role of vitamin supplementation in physical activity. Above all, we focus on the roles of vitamins A, B6, D, E, and K in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disorders, muscle injuries, and regulation of the microbiome.

Antioxidant Supplementation Protects Elite Athlete Muscle Integrity During Submaximal Training

PURPOSE

To determine (1) the effect of a 40-minute steady-state run on muscle membrane integrity of elite athletes as reflected by serum creatine kinase (CK), (2) whether antioxidant supplementation (AS) with vitamins E and C has a protective effect, and (3) if a minimal blood concentration of vitamin E or C is required for any such protection.

METHODS

Fifteen elite-level endurance athletes (V˙O2max=71.5±1.2 mL·kg-1 min-1) were randomly assigned to 6 weeks AS (1000 IU·d-1 natural vitamin E and 1000 mg·d-1 vitamin C) or placebo. Using a double-blind crossover design and 4-week washout period, each treatment was followed by a 40-minute steady-state run at 3 mM blood lactate. Blood samples before and 0 and 24 hours after the run were assayed for serum and red cell α-tocopherol (α-TOH), serum ascorbate, and CK.

RESULTS

The AS produced a 2.5-fold, well-correlated (r = .84) increase in serum and red cell α-TOH (P < .001) that attenuated the increase in postrun CK (P = .01). There was no change in serum ascorbate with AS and no relationship with CK (P > .1). Curvilinear regression revealed some evidence that a critical level of serum α-TOH in the vicinity of 12 mg·L-1 was required to attenuate CK efflux, a level only achieved with AS.

CONCLUSION

The muscle membrane integrity of elite-level athletes is compromised even during steady-state running of moderate intensity and duration. The AS provided a protective effect, with evidence that a serum α-TOH concentration of around 12 mg·L-1 is required.

Growth performance and fertility of Windsnyer boars supplemented with α-tocopherol

The purpose of the present work was to determine the response in growth performance and spermatozoa characteristics of Windsnyer boars supplemented with progressive levels of α-tocopherol. Twenty Windsnyer boars aged 12 weeks with an average body weight of 19.5 ± 2.67 kg were used. Each boar was housed individually in a 1.54 × 0.8 m pen in environmentally controlled house with the temperature ranging from 22 to 25 °C. Five boars were randomly assigned to each diet containing 0, 40, 70 and 90 IU of α-tocopherol. The growth performance experiment lasted for 12 weeks. Subsequently, boars were humanely slaughtered for analyses of testicular development and spermatozoa characteristics. Polynomial regression was used to analyse data. There was a linear response (P < 0.05) in average daily gain and feed conversion ratio as α-tocopherol levels increased. Left and right testicular weights showed a linear increase (P < 0.05) with increasing levels of α-tocopherol. Weights of left and right epididymis exhibited quadratic response (P < 0.05). Seminiferous tube area responded in a quadratic fashion (P < 0.05). There was a quadratic relationship (P < 0.05) between semen volume, straight-line velocity and live spermatozoa. Dead spermatozoa and head abnormalities exhibited linear decrease (P < 0.05). In conclusion, inclusion of α-tocopherol improved growth performance and fertility of Windsnyer boars.

Functional food mixtures: Inhibition of lipid peroxidation, HMGCoA reductase, and ACAT2 in hypercholesterolemia-induced rats

Mixtures of selected functional foods (MSFF) were composed of nattokinase (fermented soybean), red yeast rice extract, Ginkgo biloba, oat fiber, garlic, bee pollen, and propolis as anti-hypercholesterolemic were studied. The goal of this study was to determine the bioactive compounds in these mixtures and their cholesterol-lowering potential effects (biochemical profiles, lipid peroxidation, liver tissue histopathology, and enzymatic activity analysis; HMGCoA reductase and ACAT2. The LC-MS/MS analysis showed that bioactive compounds such as Monacolin K, naringin, tocopherol, and glutamate, which have potential as anti-hypercholesterolemic agents, were present in these functional food mixtures. MSFF supplementation at 50 mg/kg 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg showed substantial reductions in serum lipid profiles (TC and LDL) (p < .05). The serum liver profiles of AST (115.33 ± 8.69 U/L) and ALT (61.00 ± 1.00 U/L) were significantly reduced (p < .05) with MSFF supplementation at 200 mg/kg. MDA lipid peroxidation has also decreased significantly (p < .05) in serum (3.69 ± 0.42 μmol/L) and liver (15.04 ± 0.97 μmol/mg) tissues and has been shown to protect against hepatic steatosis. The significant (p < .05) inhibition activity of HMGCoA reductase (163.82 ± 3.50 pg/ml) and ACAT2 (348.35 ± 18.85 pg/ml) was also attributed by the supplementation of MSFF at 200 mg/kg.

Interdependence of Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Properties of Squalene-Implication for Cardiovascular Health

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have been recognized as the leading cause of mortality worldwide, accounting for 31% of global mortality. Among the risk factors of CVD, hyperlipidemia has been established as the most potent risk factor. Statins, a class of drug that reduces lower-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), are the preferred medical treatment. However, due to the development of statin-associated muscle symptoms, statins are associated with patients' discontinuation and nonadherence. Other statin-induced side effects, such as hepatotoxicity and gastrointestinal upset, all contribute to patients choosing alternative medicines. Squalene (SQ), an unsaturated hydrocarbon naturally synthesized in plants and animals, could become the alternative treatment or supplementary agent for cardiovascular health. SQ has been shown to exert cardioprotective effect via its antioxidant activity. Oxidative stress and inflammatory responses are closely related to each other, which proposes an interdependence relation between antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Therefore, this review explores the interdependence between the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of SQ implicated on cardiovascular health.

Antioxidants and Exercise Performance: With a Focus on Vitamin E and C Supplementation

Antioxidant supplementation, including vitamin E and C supplementation, has recently received recognition among athletes as a possible method for enhancing athletic performance. Increased oxidative stress during exercise results in the production of free radicals, which leads to muscle damage, fatigue, and impaired performance. Despite their negative effects on performance, free radicals may act as signaling molecules enhancing protection against greater physical stress. Current evidence suggests that antioxidant supplementation may impair these adaptations. Apart from athletes training at altitude and those looking for an immediate, short-term performance enhancement, supplementation with vitamin E does not appear to be beneficial. Moreover, the effectiveness of vitamin E and C alone and/or combined on muscle mass and strength have been inconsistent. Given that antioxidant supplements (e.g., vitamin E and C) tend to block anabolic signaling pathways, and thus, impair adaptations to resistance training, special caution should be taken with these supplements. It is recommended that athletes consume a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which provides vitamins, minerals phytochemicals, and other bioactive compounds to meet the recommended intakes of vitamin E and C.

A Mixture of Exogenous Emulsifiers Increased the Acceptance of Broilers to Low Energy Diets: Growth Performance, Blood Chemistry, and Fatty Acids Traits

To investigate the influence of emulsifiers on broilers fed low-energy diets, the birds were distributed into three sets-the control was fed the basal diet, the second group was fed diets 50 kcal/kg less than control, and the third group was fed diets 50 kcal/kg less than control and supplemented with 500 g/ton of emulsifiers. The used mixture of exogenous emulsifiers contains phosphatidyl choline, lysophosphatidyl choline, and polyethylene glycol ricinoleate. Although the feed intake was not meaningfully affected by dietary low-energy level with emulsifier inclusion (P = 0.42), the weight gain and FCR were clearly enhanced (P = 0.005 and P = 0.044, respectively). Protein and lipids utilization were decreased by reducing energy level, but they were increased by emulsifier supplementation (P = 0.022 and P = 0.011, respectively). Liver thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs) and muscle palmitic acid concentrations were decreased by reducing the energy level and emulsifier's supplementation (P = 0.014 and P = 0.042, respectively). However, muscle total lipids and α-tocopherol, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid were not affected by dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Interestingly, the plasma total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, total protein, and globulin were decreased in the low-energy group without emulsifier but they were increased by emulsifier supplementation (P = 0.008, P = 0.005, P = 0.037, and P = 0.005, respectively). It could be concluded that the mixture of emulsifier supplementation to low-energy diets enhanced fat utilization and resulted in positive effects on the growth performance, nutrient utilization, lipid peroxidation, and modified plasma lipid profiles in broilers. Getting such benefits in broilers is a necessity to reduce the feed cost and consequently the price of the product, which will lead to improved welfare of mankind.