Impact of micronised purified flavonoid fraction on increased malondialdehyde and decreased metalloproteinase-2 and metalloproteinase-9 levels in varicocele: outcome of an experimentally induced varicocele

To analyse the levels of an indirect marker of ROS-induced lipid peroxidation [i.e. malondialdehyde (MDA)] in both testes and the levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor-1 (TIMP-1) in the left testis after induction of varicocele and investigated the impact of micronised purified flavonoid fraction (MPFF) on these markers. Forty-nine adolescent (6-week-old) male Wistar rats were included in this study. The rats were divided into seven groups as follows:Group-1, control; Group-2, sham; Group-3, left varicocele-induced; Group-4, varicocele + varicocelectomy + MPFF-treated (for 4 weeks); Group-5, varicocele + MPFF-treated (for 8 weeks); Group-6, varicocele-induced and 4 weeks later, MPFF-treated (for 4 weeks); and Group-7, varicocele + varicocelectomy. MDA was measured in the tissues of both testes using the thiobarbituric acid reactivity method. The ELISA method was used for the quantification of MMP-2, MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in the left testicular tissue. The levels of MDA were significantly higher in the varicocele group than in the other groups. The MDA levels in the left testicular tissues of Group-7 were significantly higher than those of Group 4 (P = 0.03). In the varicocele group, the MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels decreased, whereas the levels of TIMP-1 increased. The tissue levels of MMP-2 in Groups 4, 5 and 7 were significantly higher than those in Group 1 (P < 0.05).

Protective effects of melatonin against oxidative injury in rat testis induced by wireless (2.45 GHz) devices

Wireless devices have become part of everyday life and mostly located near reproductive organs while they are in use. The present study was designed to determine the possible protective effects of melatonin on oxidative stress-dependent testis injury induced by 2.45-GHz electromagnetic radiation (EMR). Thirty-two rats were equally divided into four different groups, namely cage control (A1), sham control (A2), 2.45-GHz EMR (B) and 2.45-GHz EMR+melatonin (C). Group B and C were exposed to 2.45-GHz EMR during 60 min day(-1) for 30 days. Lipid peroxidation levels were higher in Group B than in Group A1 and A2. Melatonin treatment prevented the increase in the lipid peroxidation induced by EMR. Also reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels in Group D were higher than that of exposure group. Vitamin A and E concentrations decreased in exposure group, and melatonin prevented the decrease in vitamin E levels. In conclusion, wireless (2.45 GHz) EMR caused oxidative damage in testis by increasing the levels of lipid peroxidation and decreasing in vitamin A and E levels. Melatonin supplementation prevented oxidative damage induced by EMR and also supported the antioxidant redox system in the testis.