Effectiveness of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) bark oil in the prevention of carbon tetrachloride-induced damages on the male reproductive system

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the likelihood of detrimental effects of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 ) on male reproductive system through oxidative stress mechanism and also protective effects of cinnamon bark oil (CBO). For this purpose, 28 healthy male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, seven rats in each. Group 1 received only olive oil daily; group 2 was treated with 100 mg kg(-1) CBO daily; group 3 was treated with only 0.25 ml kg(-1) CCl4 weekly; and group 4 received weekly CCl4 + daily CBO. All administrations were made by intragastric catheter and maintained for 10 weeks. Body and reproductive organ weights, sperm characteristics, testicular oxidative stress markers and testicular apoptosis were examined. CCl4 administration caused significant decreases in body and reproductive organ weights, testicular catalase (CAT) activity, sperm motility and concentration, and significant increases in lipid peroxidation (LPO) level, abnormal sperm rate and apoptotic index along with some histopathological damages compared with the control group. However, significant improvements were observed in absolute weights of testis and epididymis, all sperm quality parameters, LPO level, apoptotic index and testicular histopathological structure following the administration of CCl4 together with CBO when compared to group given CCl4 only. The findings of this study clearly suggest that CBO has protective effect against damages in male reproductive organs and cells induced by CCl4 .

Effects of testosterone on lipid peroxidation, lipid profiles and some coagulation parameters in rabbits

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of testosterone on some risk factors of atherosclerosis. Twenty-four male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups of eight. The first group was used as control. Second group was injected with 10 mg of testosterone propionate. Third group was castrated bilaterally. At the end of 6 weeks, lipid peroxidation (LPO), lipid profile, fibrinogen (FBN) level and coagulation parameters were evaluated. Testosterone administration decreased the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), while castration increased this level (P < 0.05). Triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels in the castration group were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those in the testosterone group. The ratio of HDL-C:low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased, while TC:HDL-C ratio increased (P < 0.05) in the testosterone group. No significant differences were found in the LDL-C and FBN levels among groups. However, there was a tendency for higher FBN level in the testosterone group. Testosterone administration resulted in an increase in the level of LPO (P < 0.05). Clotting time and prothrombin time prolonged in the castration group compared with testosterone group (P < 0.05). As a result, testosterone has exacerbating effect on atherosclerosis risk factors including lipid profile, LPO, FBN and coagulation system.

Effects of testosterone and vitamin E on the antioxidant system in rabbit testis

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of testosterone propionate and vitamin E on the antioxidant system in the testis. Thirty-two male New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into four groups. The first group was used as control. The second group was injected with testosterone propionate, the third group vitamin E and the fourth group vitamin E and testosterone propionate combination. All treatments were carried out during 6 weeks and oxidative parameters were evaluated in homogenized testicular tissue. The levels of vitamin E and the activity of glutathione peroxidase were lower (P < 0.05) in the testosterone group than in controls. However, vitamin C and malondialdehyde levels were higher (P < 0.05) in this group than in controls. The levels of reduced glutathione, beta-carotene, vitamin C and E increased, but malondialdehyde levels decreased in the vitamin E group, when compared with controls (P < 0.05). Vitamin E and beta-carotene levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the combination group than in testosterone group. However, MDA levels were lower (P < 0.05) in combination group than in the testosterone group. In conclusion, administration of testosterone propionate led to a significant elevation of oxidative stress. Vitamin E is quite an effective antioxidant which protects rabbit testis against lipid peroxidation, and, testosterone-induced lipid peroxidation could be improved by additional vitamin E treatment.

Role of dietary vitamin E in cadmium-induced oxidative damage in rabbit's blood, liver and kidneys

The aim of this work was to determine the effect of dietary vitamin E intake on lipid peroxidation (LPO) by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), vitamin E and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px: EC 1.11.1.9) activity in plasma, red blood cells (RBC), livers, and kidneys of rabbits dosed with cadmium (Cd). Six-month-old clinically healthy New Zealand White rabbits (8 in each group) were given tap water only, containing 1 g CdCl2/L, or tap water with CdCl2 plus vitamin E (100 mg dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate in 0.2 mL corn oil) daily for 30 days. The vitamin E level in the plasma, liver, and kidneys was significantly higher in the control than in the Cd-only group, and TBARS levels were significantly lower. There were no statistical differences between the control and Cd-only groups GSH-Px activities and GSH levels in RBC, liver, and kidneys. Vitamin E levels in plasma, liver, and kidneys and GSH-Px activity in RBC were higher in the vitamin E group than in both control and Cd-only groups. However, the TBARS levels of RBC, liver, and kidneys in vitamin E administered group were decreased. Therefore, the present study demonstrates the effectiveness of vitamin E in reducing oxidative stress in Cd-treated rabbits and suggests that reductions in increased TBARS due to Cd toxicity may be an important factor in the action of vitamin E.

Effects of intraperitoneally administered vitamin C on antioxidative defense mechanism in rats with diabetes induced by streptozotocin

We determined the effects of intraperitoneally administered vitamin C on the lipid peroxidation (as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, TBARS) and vitamin C and E levels and reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the plasma, red blood cells (RBC), liver, and muscle of rats in relation to oxidative damage associated with diabetes induced by streptozotocin (STZ). One group was used as control and a second as diabetic. A third group received 30 mg vitamin C i.p. every other day. On day 4 after the injection of vitamin C, animals in the second and third groups were made diabetic by i.p. injection of STZ and administered vitamin C for 21 consecutive days, and we determined TBARS, vitamin E, and GSH levels and GSH-Px activities in plasma, RBC, liver, and muscle samples. Vitamin E levels in the plasma and liver were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the control group than in the diabetic group. Also, TBARS levels in the plasma, RBC, liver, and muscle samples were significantly lower (P<0.05) in controls than in the diabetic group. The TBARS levels in the RBC, liver, and muscle samples of the vitamin C group were significantly lower (P<0.05, P<0.01, and P<0.001, respectively). However, GSH-Px and GSH activities in RBC, liver, and muscle and vitamin C levels in liver were not significantly different between control and diabetic groups. Vitamin E levels in plasma (P<0.05, P<0.01) and liver (P<0.001), vitamin C levels in liver (P<0.001), and GSH (P<0.01) and GSH-Px activities in RBC (P<0.05, P<0.01) were significantly higher in the vitamin C group than both the control and diabetic groups. These results indicate that vitamin C has significant protective effects on the blood, liver, and muscle of rats against oxidative damage in diabetes.

Protective effects of vitamin E on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage in rats

In this study we investigated whether the increase of hepatic vitamin E content by intraperitoneal administration, influences chronic liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) in rats. Thirty adult male Wistar rats were divided into three groups. The first group was used as a control and the rats in the second group were administered CCl(4) in olive oil subcutaneously. Rats in the third group were administered intraperitoneally vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol acetate, 100 mg kg(-1)). This administration was performed three times per week for five weeks. Liver samples were used for the determination of vitamin E levels, glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) activities and histological examination. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase, total and conjugated bilirubin were significantly (p<0.05, p<0.01, p<0.001) higher in animals treated with CCl(4) than in the controls and had returned to normal values by the administration of vitamin E + CCl(4 ). Liver vitamin E levels were significantly (p<0.05) lower in the CCl(4) group than in the control group. However, the liver vitamin E content was significantly (p<0.01, p<0.001) increased in the vitamin E + CCl(4) injected group. On the other hand, liver GSHPx activity was not statistically different among the groups. On histological examination, vitamin E administered animals showed incomplete, but significant, prevention of liver necrosis and cirrhosis induced by CCl(4 ). these data indicate that intraperitoneally administered vitamin E has protective effects against CCl(4)-induced chronic liver damage and cirrhosis as evidenced by biochemical data and conventional histological examination.

The facilitating effect of cigarette smoke on the colonization of instilled bacteria into the tracheal lumen in rats and the improving influence of supplementary vitamin E on this process

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to investigate the direct influence of cigarette smoke on the bacterial colonization of the lower respiratory tract and the effect of supplementary vitamin E on the colonization of instilled bacteria into the trachea of rats that do not have the chronic airway pathology associated with smoking.

METHODOLOGY

Thirty male Wistar albino rats, weighing approximately 250 g, were used as experimental animals. A 0.1 mL bacterial suspension containing six bacterial species (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis, Haemophilus influenza, Peptostreptococci spp.), isolated previously from pharynx of rats, were instilled into the trachea of three groups of rat (10 control, 10 cigarette smoke-treated and 10 cigarette smoke- and vitamin E-supplemented rats). The smoke-treated rats were exposed to cigarette smoke for 3 days prior to and after intratracheal instillation. The third group of rats were given vitamin E supplements (100 mg/kg per day). Tracheobronchial lavage samples of all rats were quantitatively cultured after 3 days from the instillation.

RESULTS

The colony numbers of isolated bacteria were significantly higher in cigarette smoke-treated rats than in the control group and in the smoke- and vitamin E-supplemented rats (P < 0.05). Only S. aureus and S. epidermidis were isolated from vitamin E-supplemented rats, while instilled all six bacterial species were isolated from the other two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

It is concluded that smoking impairs the elimination of bacteria or facilitates colonization of bacteria in the lower respiratory tract of rats. Supplementary treatment with vitamin E reduces the effect of cigarette smoke; however, some bacteria may be resistant to this action of vitamin E.

Influence of dietary selenium and vitamin E on the levels of fatty acids in brain and liver tissues of lambs

In this study, the effects of dietary vitamin E, selenium, and their combination on the levels of fatty acid composition of the brain and liver tissues were examined. In brain tissue, the amounts of most fatty acids increased in vitamin E, combination and selenium groups compared with control group values. While the proportions of myristic, pentadecanoic, palmitic, linoleic, and total saturated fatty acids were decreased in vitamin E, Se and combination groups, eicosapentaenoic, total unsaturated and MUFA were increased in the same groups. In addition, the proportions arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, total unsaturated, omega 6 and MUFA in the combination group were higher than in the control group. In liver tissue, the amounts of myristic, pentadecanoic, palmitic, eicosedienoic, eicosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic, omega 3 and PUFA were higher in the combination group than in the control group. Also the proportions of eicosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic acids in supplemented groups were higher than those in the control group. We conclude that dietary vitamin E and selenium have an influence on the levels of fatty acids in the brain and liver.

Blood plasma levels of lipoperoxides, glutathione peroxidase, beta carotene, vitamin A and E in women with habitual abortion

The plasma levels of lipoperoxides, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), reduced glutathione (GSH), beta carotene, vitamin A, E, some plasma biochemical and blood haematological parameters were investigated in 40 women with habitual abortion (HA) and controls. The levels of GSH, vitamin A, E and beta carotene were significantly lower in women with HA than in controls. However, the plasma levels of lipid peroxidation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glucose and blood haemoglobin were significantly higher in HA than in controls. In addition, plasma levels of GSH-Px, AST, ALT, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, sodium, potassium, calcium and number of white blood cells, red blood cells, platelet and values of packet cell volume showed no significant differences between HA and controls. According to the results of this study, we observed that the levels of lipid peroxidation were increased and plasma levels of vitamin A, E and beta carotene were decreased in HA. The decrease of those antioxidants may play a significant role in women with habitual abortion.

Effects of vitamin E and selenium on some rumen parameters in lambs

The effects of supplemented selenium and vitamin E on a number of rumen parameters such as the population of rumen protozoa, pH, concentration of volatile fatty acids and ammonia nitrogen in the rumen content were studied. Eight lambs were randomly allocated into two groups: a control group and an experimental group receiving vitamin E (DL-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, 250 mg/kg of feed) and selenium (sodium selenite, 0.3 mg/kg of feed) supplementation. Samples of rumen content were taken from all lambs three times daily once a week (before feeding as well as 3 and 6 h after feeding) over a period of 10 consecutive weeks. In addition, the lambs were weighed at the end of experiment. The total counts and percentage proportions of rumen protozoa, the pH value, and the levels of ammonia nitrogen and volatile fatty acids were determined in the samples of rumen content. The levels of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid and total volatile fatty acids, the total counts of protozoa, and the percentage proportion of Diplodinium were found to be significantly higher in the supplemented than in the control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), whereas the pH values and the percentage proportion of Dasytricha ruminantium were significantly lower in the supplemented group than in the control (P < 0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in ammonia nitrogen levels. The body mass gain of lambs in the supplemented group was significantly higher than that of the control animals (P < 0.01). Combined selenium and vitamin E supplementation of the lambs' ration caused an increase in the levels of volatile fatty acids, total counts of protozoa, and body mass gain while decreasing the pH value of the rumen content.

Plasma beta-carotene concentrations in pregnancies, newborn infants and their mothers

Concentrations of beta-carotene were determined in maternal and fetal blood. The samples were collected from 33 mothers, their 33 newborns and 50 pregnant and 29 non-pregnant women. Beta-carotene concentrations of the non-pregnant, pregnant, newborn infant and their mothers were 140.31, 171.54, 63.57 and 175.74 micrograms/dl, respectively. There was a significant correlation (P < 0.001) between beta-carotene values of the maternal plasma and cord plasma. Mean maternal plasma beta-carotene concentration was higher (P < 0.0005) than that of the cord. These results suggest that plasma transport capacity of beta-carotene was low from mother to their fetus.