N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and melatonin were reported to exert protective effects on testicular tissues. Thus, this study aimed to determine which of these is more efficient against obesity-induced testicular dysfunction in albino rats. A total of 32 adult male rats (195 ± 10 g) were divided into four groups: control, obese rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD), HFD+NAC (150 mg/kg per day, i.p.) and HFD+melatonin (10 mg/kg per day, i.p.), for 5 weeks. Testes and epididymis were weighed. Lipid profile, pituitary-testicular hormones, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), epididymal sperm parameters, testicular oxidant–antioxidant system, testicular and the epididymal histopathology and immunohistochemical localization for androgen receptors (AR) and Bax reaction were analyzed. Administration of NAC or melatonin significantly improved the lipid parameters, gonadal hormones, TNFα level, sperm count and abnormal morphology, oxidant–antioxidant system and the absolute testicular and epididymal mass with an enhancement of testicular architecture, AR expression and apoptosis as compared with that in the obese group. Additionally, as compared with the NAC group, the melatonin group had significantly reduced body mass index, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and TNFα and increased testosterone, sperm count, motility, superoxide dismutase activity, mitigated histomorphometrical changes, Bax expression, and increased testicular AR expression. Therefore, melatonin was more efficient than NAC in affording fortification against HFD-induced testicular dysfunction.

10.1139/cjpp-2020-0499

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SERUM NESFATIN-1 LEVELS IN RAT MODEL OF NON-ALCOHOLIC FATTY LIVER DISEASE

Al-Azhar Medical Journal (2017)

Marwa Habib Sama S. Khalil

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a frequent progressive disorder manifested by fat accumulation in the liver and usually related to obesity and insulin resistance, but its pathogenesis is still uncertain. Nesfatin-1 is a polypeptide derived from nucleobindin-2 and involved in regulation of food intake and glucose homeostasis. The relationship between nesfatin-1 and NAFLD is still controversial. Objective: To evaluate serum levels of nesfatin-1 in NAFLD model induced by high fat diet (HFD) in male albino rats. Material and methods: Forty eight male adult albino rats were divided into four equal groups: 2 control groups that were fed ordinary diet for 4 weeks (group IA) and 12 weeks (group IB), and 2 HFD groups that were fed HFD for 4 weeks (group IIA) and 12 weeks (group IIB). In all groups, abdominal circumference, body weight, serum levels of nesfatin-1, insulin, glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), lipid profile parameters, and liver enzymes (ALT & AST) were measured. BMI and HOMA-IR were calculated, and isolated liver tissues were examined histopathologically. Results: After 4-week and 12-week-HFD feeding, the rats developed simple steatosis and steatohepatitis, respectively. These were proved by the progressive rise of liver enzymes and the histopathological findings. Besides, there was a significant progressive rise in BMI, HOMA-IR, serum levels of nesfatin-1, glucose, insulin, CRP, and all lipid profile parameters except high density lipoprotein that significantly decreased in HFD groups in comparison to control groups. Moreover, nesfatin-1 correlated positively with all measured parameters in HFD groups except for HDL that showed negative correlation with nesfatin-1. Conclusion: Serum levels of nesfatin-1 increased in NAFLD rat model induced by HFD. This rise may be attributed to feeding rats with HFD, hyperglycemia or may compensate for the inflammation and disturbed metabolism.

10.12816/0045169

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Asian Pigeonwing Plants (Clitoria ternatea) Synergized Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Modulating the Inflammatory Response in Rats with Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury

Pharmaceuticals (2022)

Fatmah Ahmed Safhi Salha M. ALshamrani Areej S. Jalal Nabil S. Awad Hussein Sabit

Acute kidney injury is a heterogeneous set of disorders distinguished by a sudden decrease in the glomerular filtration rate, which is evidenced by an increase in the serum creatinine concentration or oliguria and categorized by stage and cause. It is an ever-growing health problem worldwide, with no reliable treatment. In the present study, we evaluated the role of Clitoria ternatea combined with mesenchymal stem cells in treating cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury in rats. Animals were challenged with cisplatin, followed by 400 mg/kg of Asian pigeonwing extract and/or mesenchymal stem cells (106 cells/150 g body weight). Kidney functions and enzymes were recorded, and histopathological sectioning was also performed. The expression profile of IL-1β, IL-6, and caspase-3 was assessed using the quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The obtained data indicated that mesenchymal stem cells combined with the botanical extract modulated the creatinine uric acid and urea levels. Cisplatin increased the level of malondialdehyde and decreased the levels of both superoxide dismutase and glutathione; however, the dual treatment was capable of restoring the normal levels. Furthermore, all treatments modulated the IL-6, IL-1β, and caspase-3 gene expression profiles. The obtained data shed some light on adjuvant therapy using C. ternatea and mesenchymal stem cells in treating acute kidney injury; however, further investigations are required to understand these agents' synergistic mechanisms fully. The total RNA was extracted from the control, the positive control, and all of the therapeutically treated animals. The expression profiles of the IL-6, IL-1β, and caspase-3 genes were evaluated using the real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cisplatin treatment caused a significant upregulation in IL-6. All treatments could mitigate the IL-6-upregulating effect of cisplatin, with the mesenchymal stem cell treatment being the most effective. The same profile was observed in the IL-1β and caspase-3 genes, except that the dual treatment (mesenchymal stem cells and the botanical extract) was the most effective in ameliorating the adverse effect of cisplatin; it downregulated caspase-3 expression better than the positive control.

Malondialdehyde

10.3390/ph15111396

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Impact of Melatonin on Full-Term Fetal Brain Development and Transforming Growth Factor-β Level in a Rat Model of Preeclampsia

Reproductive Sciences (2021)

Nanees F. El-Malkey Mohammed Aref Hassan Emam Sama S. Khalil

Malondialdehyde

10.1007/s43032-021-00497-3

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SERUM VASPIN LEVELS IN NORMAL PREGNANT AND GESTATIONAL DIABETIC ALBINO RAT MODEL

Al-Azhar Medical Journal (2017)

Sama S. Khalil Marwa Habib

Background:Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a major pregnancy complication with increased blood glucose levels and insulin resistance. Vaspin is a visceral adipokine that is synthesized and secreted by abdominal fat tissue and one of the superfamily of serine protease inhibitors. Data proposed vaspin levels in normal pregnancy and GDM are still controversial. Objective : To assess serum vaspin levels in both of late pregnancy and experimentally-induced GDM in relation to certain metabolic parameters in albino rats. Material and methods: Thirty six virgin female albino rats of a local strain weighing 100-150 g were divided randomly into three equals groups. Group I (Control); virgin rats were fed normal diet. Group II (normal pregnant); rats were fed normal diet for five weeks before induction of pregnancy. Group III (experimentally-induced GDM); rats were fed fatty-sucrose diet (FSD) for five weeks before induction of pregnancy, then injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin (25 mg/kg) on the 7th day of gestation. In all groups, serum vaspin, body mass index (BMI), serum estradiol, progesterone, total triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoproteins-cholesterol (LDL-c), high density lipoproteins-cholesterol (HDL-c), glucose, insulin levels and calculated homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were estimated. Results: Normal pregnant rats showed a significant increase in BMI, serum vaspin, TG, TC, LDL-c, insulin levels and HOMA-IR compared to controls. Additionally, serum vaspin levels were significantly and positively correlated with BMI, serum glucose, TG levels and HOMA-IR. GDM-induced rats had significantly increased levels of serum vaspin, TC, TG, LDL-c, glucose, BMI and HOMA-IR, while decreased insulin and HDL-c levels compared to normal pregnant and control rats. Moreover, serum vaspin levels showed significant positive correlations with BMI, HOMA-IR, glucose, TG, TC levels, and an inverse correlation with HDL-c levels in GDM-induced group. Conclusion: Serum vaspin levels increased in both of late pregnancy and experimentally-induced GDM, but more in the later possibly for compensating GDM-induced insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.

10.12816/0045170

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Vinpocetine alleviates intestinal ischemia/reperfusion injury and enhances M2 macrophage polarization in rats: Role of SIRT1/SOCS3/STAT3 signaling pathway

International Immunopharmacology (2023)

Nisreen Elwany Amira Mohamed Abdelhamid Noura Mostafa Mohamed Sama S. Khalil Eman Elshahat Orabi

Macrophage polarization

Vinpocetine

Sirtuin 1

10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110654

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SERUM LIPOCALIN-2 PREDICTS CARDIOVASCULAR MORBIDITY RISKS IN SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROID RAT MODEL

Al-Azhar Medical Journal (2016)

Nadine Raafat Sama S. Khalil

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and its associations with cardiovascular disease (CVD) remain controversial. Previous studies revealed that lipocalin -2 (LCN2) associated with increased cardiovascular mortality risk. Objective: Evaluation of the serum level of LCN2 and its association with some cardiovascular risk factors in SCH rat model. Material and methods: Twenty four adult male albino rats weighing 150-170 g were used and divided into two equal groups: control euthyroid group and SCH-induced group where SCH was induced by administration of methimazole (MMI) (10 mg/kg body weight) by gavage once daily for 3 months. Groups were compared for body mass index (BMI), serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3) thyroxin (T4), glucose, insulin, lipid profiles, C reactive protein (CRP), LCN2 ,Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), atherogenic index ,systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Results: SCH induced group showed significantly higher mean serum levels of TSH, LCN2, insulin, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein - cholesterol (LDL- C), triglycerides (TG), CRP than that of control. Also, BMI, calculated HOMA, atherogenic index, SBP and DBP were significantly higher than that of control and all these parameters were positively correlated to LCN2. However, high density lipoproteins- cholesterol (HDL- c) levels were significantly lower than that of control group and negatively correlated with serum LCN2 levels. Conclusion: Serum lipocalin-2 may be associated and can predict cardiovascular risk factors in SCH.

Subclinical infection

10.12816/0029141

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