Radioprotective Effects of Zinc and Selenium on Mice Spermatogenesis

Radioprotective effect of omeprazole against testicular damage induced by ionizing radiation in mice: An experimental study

Background

Radiation-induced normal tissue damage remains a major concern in radiotherapy, particularly affecting rapidly dividing cells, including those in reproductive tissues. Developing effective radioprotective agents to mitigate this damage is crucial for preserving fertility.

Objective

The radioprotective effects of omeprazole (OMP) were investigated in adult male mice undergoing external radiation.

Materials and Methods

In this experimental study, 36 adult male mice (30-35 gr, 6-8 wk old) were divided into 6 groups and orally administered OMP daily via oral gavage for 7 days before whole-body irradiation. On the 8th day, mice were subjected to a single 6 Gray dose of 6 megavoltage X-ray radiation. Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture for testosterone level evaluation, while testicular specimens were harvested post-euthanasia for sperm parameters assessment and histological analysis. Additionally, spermatogenic cell density was evaluated.

Results

Irradiation of 6 Gray X-ray to the testis of mice significantly affected sperm count, progressive motility, DNA fragmentation, the number of sperm with normal morphology, and the number of immotile sperm. Furthermore, administration of OMP improved progressive motility, DNA fragmentation, and sperm viability. Histopathological findings showed irradiation led to severe testicular atrophy with spermatogenic arrest and abnormal cytoarchitecture vacuolation and interstitial edema, while OMP treatment reversed relative radiation toxicity, especially in the 50 mg OMP treatment group.

Conclusion

In conclusion, OMP could act as an effective radioprotector against testicular damage following X-ray irradiation in an animal model. Further studies are needed to investigate OMP potential in protecting human testis tissue.

Bee Pollen as a Source of Biopharmaceuticals for Neurodegeneration and Cancer Research: A Scoping Review and Translational Prospects

Bee Pollen (BP) has many advantageous properties relying on its multitargeting potential, a new tendency in managing many challenging illnesses. In cancer and neurodegeneration, the multiple effects of BP could be of unequaled importance and need further investigation. Although still limited, available data interestingly spotlights some floral sources with promising activities in line with this investigation. Adopting scoping review methodology, we have identified many crucial bioactivities that are widely recognized to individual BP compounds but remain completely untapped in this valuable bee cocktail. A wide range of these compounds have been recently found to be endowed with great potential in modulating pivotal processes in neurodegeneration and cancer pathophysiology. In addition, some ubiquitous BP compounds have only been recently isolated, while the number of studied BPs remains extremely limited compared to the endless pool of plant species worldwide. We have also elucidated that clinical profits from these promising perspectives are still impeded by challenging hurdles such as limited bioavailability of the studied phytocompounds, diversity and lack of phytochemical standardization of BP, and the difficulty of selective targeting in some pathophysiological mechanisms. We finally present interesting insights to guide future research and pave the way for urgently needed and simplified clinical investigations.

The Influence of Platelet-Derived Growth Factors on the Proliferation of Germinal Epithelium After Local Irradiation with Electrons

Background

At present, the damage of male reproductive function caused by electron irradiation, as well as the development of methods for its correction are the relevant topics for further research. In fact, the effect of leukocyte-poor platelet-rich plasma (LP-PRP) growth factors are poorly investigated on different aspects of male fertility.

Methods

In this study, Wistar rats were divided into four groups; I) control which were injected with saline; II and III) groups (n=65) whose testes were locally irradiated with electrons to a dose of 2 Gy (linear accelerator "NOVAC-11"); III) the group (n=30) which received LP-PRP for 11 weeks after irradiation; and IV) animals (n=30) which received only LP-PRP (conditional control). The testes were studied by histological, immunohistochemical (IHC), western blotting, and TUNEL methods using Ki-67, Bcl-2, and p53. Comparison between groups was performed and p<0.01 was set as the level of significance.

Results

The results showed a decrease in the expression levels of Ki-67 and Bcl-2 besides an increase in p53-positive cells by the end of the experiment (p<0.01). After injection of LP-PRP, a gradual restoration of the proliferative activity of gametes was noted, which was confirmed by an increase in the proportion of Ki-67- and Bcl-2-positive germ cells (46.4±2.3, p<0.01 and 23.5±1.1, respectively, p<0.01).

Conclusion

Ki-67 expression and TUNEL analysis in the testes revealed a modulation of the proliferative-apoptotic balance towards apoptosis of germ cells after 2 Gy local electron irradiation. A tendency to restore the proliferative-apoptotic balance was noted after LP-PRP injections as indicated by increase in Ki-67-positive germ cells.

Radioprotective countermeasures for radiation injury (Review)

A series of physiological and pathological changes occur after radiotherapy and accidental exposure to ionizing radiation (IR). These changes cause serious damage to human tissues and can lead to death. Radioprotective countermeasures are radioprotective agents that prevent and reduce IR injury or have therapeutic effects. Based on a good understanding of radiobiology, a number of protective agents have achieved positive results in early clinical trials. The present review grouped known radioprotective agents according to biochemical categories and potential clinical use, and reviewed radiation countermeasures, i.e., radioprotectors, radiation mitigators and radiotherapeutic agents, with an emphasis on their current status and research progress. The aim of the present review is to facilitate the selection and application of suitable radioprotectors for clinicians and researchers, to prevent or reduce IR injury.

Protective effects of selenium on Bisphenol A-induced oxidative stress in mouse testicular mitochondria and sperm motility

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to explore the impact of selenium (SE) on Bisphenol-A (BPA)-exposed sperm and isolated testicular mitochondria of mice.

METHODS

Mouse sperm and isolated mitochondria were exposed to BPA (0.8 mM) and different concentrations of SE (50, 100, and 200 μM) for four hours. The viability of sperm and isolated mitochondria as well as the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were evaluated. SOD (superoxide dismutase), GSH (glutathione), MDA (malondialdehyde), and ROS (reactive oxygen species) levels in testicular mitochondria were also examined.

RESULTS

BPA concentration-dependently enhanced ROS and MDA levels in isolated mitochondria, while MMP and acclivity of GSH and SOD significantly reduced. BPA also considerably impaired spermatozoa survival and motility. SE concentration-dependently reduced mitochondrial oxidative stress, MMP, sperm survival, and total sperm motility.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings collectively suggested that SE concentration-dependently reversed BPA-caused mitochondrial toxicity and reduced sperm motility by suppressing oxidative stress.