• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.102-111
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• 2024

Objective: Given the noteworthy implications of alcohol consumption and its association with male infertility, there has been a notable focus on investigating natural alternatives to mitigate its adverse effects. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the potential protective effect of phycocyanin extract derived from the blue algae Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis against ethanol-induced oxidative stress, disturbances in testicular morphology, and alterations in sperm production. Methods: Male rats were divided into four groups (five rats each): the control group received a saline solution, the ethanol exposed group (EtOH) was subjected to intraperitoneal injections of 10 mL/kg of ethanol solution at a concentration of 38% (v/v), the phycocyanin alone treated group (P) received oral administration of phycocyanin at a dosage of 50 mg/kg, and the phycocyanin-cotreated group (PE) was given oral phycocyanin followed by ethanol injections. All treatments were administered over a period of 14 days. Results: Our findings demonstrated that ethanol exposure induced reproductive toxicity, characterized by reduced sperm production and viability, alterations in testicular weight and morphology, increased lipid peroxidation levels, and elevated oxidative enzyme activity. In addition, the ethanol-intoxicated group showed perturbations in serum biochemical parameters. However, the simultaneous exposure to ethanol and phycocyanin exhibited a counteractive effect against ethanol toxicity. Conclusion: The results showed that supplementation of phycocyanin prevented oxidative and testicular morphological damage-induced by ethanol and maintained normal sperm production, and viability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.167-175
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• 2005

Houttuynia cordata THNUB (He; Uh-Sung-Cho) is a medicinal plant which has been widely used as a component of blood-building decoctions. This study was performed to investigate the immunomodulative effect of He in mice. In vitro experiment, the mice splenocytes proliferation and three kinds of cytokines (IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF- $\alpha$) production by mice peritoneal macrophages cultured with six (methanol, hexane, chloroform, ethylacetate, butanol and water) fractions of He were used to indicate the immunomodulative effect. Ex vivo experiment, the different concentrations of He water extract was orally administrated every other day for two weeks. The production of cytokines IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, TNF- $\alpha$) secreted by activated macrophages and the mice splenocytes proliferation were used as an index for the immunocompetence. The supplementation of all six fractions of He enhanced the splenocytes proliferation at the level of 6.58$\pm$1.23∼47.82$\pm$5.48 compared to that of control in the range of 1∼50 $\mu\textrm{g}$/mL. IL-1$\beta$ production was significantly increased with the supplementation of chloroform and water extract of He. Higher level of IL-6 production was detected by the supplementation of ethylacetate, butanol and water extract. TNF - $\alpha$ production was enhanced by the supplementation of all six fractions of He. From the ex vivo study, the highest proliferation of splenocytes was seen from the mice orally administrated with the He water extract at the concentration of 500 mg/kg bw In case of cytokines production, IL-1$\beta$, IL-6, and TNF- $\alpha$ release by activated peritoneal macrophages were augmented by the oral administration of He water extract. These results indicated that He may enhance the immune function by regulating the splenocytes proliferation and cytokines production capacity in mice.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.131-135
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• 2018

Hyponatremia is defined as a plasma sodium concentration of <135 mEq/L. It is a common electrolyte imbalance in newborns. We report the case of a term neonate with cleft lip, cleft palate, imperforate anus, normal male karyotype, and chronic hyponatremia. On the 4th day of life, he showed hyponatremia (plasma sodium concentration 130 mEq/L) with low serum osmolality (275 mOsm/kg), high urine sodium (116.7 mEq/L), and high urine osmolality (412 mOsm/kg). His thyroid and adrenal functions were normal. Despite intravenous and oral sodium supplementation and hydrocortisone treatment, hyponatremia persisted. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed normal results. He was diagnosed as having reset osmostat, a rare subtype of the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone characterized by a subnormal threshold for antidiuretic hormone secretion, with hypotonic hyponatremia.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.107-117
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• 2005

Oral supplementation of minerals mixture of potassium bromide and nickel sulphate on $CSR_2,\;CSR_4\;and\;CSR_2{\times}CSR_4$ crossbreed races with different concentrations (70, 110 and $160\;{\mu}g/ml$) were fed to the fifth instar larvae. Two of the four normal feeds per day was substituted with treated leaves fed to silkworm at fifth instar larvae. The controls were fed with the leaves sprayed with distilled water and normal leaves. The $CSR_4$ race treated larvae showed a significant increase in silkgland weight, cocooning percentage, female cocoon weight, male cocoon weight, male cocoon shell weight, male cocoon shell ratio, filament length, filament weight, denier, fecundity, number of eggs per ovariole and length of the ovariole when compared with those of the corresponding parameters of the carrier control, whereas in $CSR_2\;and\;CSR_2{\times}CSR_4$ crossbreed races showed a significant increase in larva1 weight and other parameters similar to that of $CSR_4$ race. The results suggested that the silkgland showed good response to minerals mixture of potassium bromide and nickel sulphate only in $CSR_4$ race when compared with those of other two races of the silkworm, B. mori.

• Environmental Analysis Health and Toxicology
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• v.29
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• pp.1.1-1.7
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• 2014

Objectives The present subacute study was designed to evaluate the effect of coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ10) in the 28 days aroclor 1254 exposure induced oxidative stress in mice brain. Methods Biochemical estimations of brain lipid peroxidation (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH), and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and acetyl cholinesterase (AChE), and histopathological investigations of brain tissue were carried out. Results Oral exposure of aroclor 1254 (5 mg/kg) led to significant decrease in levels of GSH, and activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, and AChE, and increase in LPO. These aberrations were restored by CoQ10 (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection [IP]). This protection offered was comparable to that of L-deprenyl (1 mg/kg, IP) which served as a reference standard. Conclusions Aroclor 1254 exposure hampers the activities of various antioxidant enzymes and induces oxidative stress in the brains of Swiss albino mice. Supplementation of CoQ10 abrogates these deleterious effects of aroclor 1254. CoQ10 also apparently enhanced acetyl cholinesterase activity which reflects its influence on the cholinergic system.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.527-530
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• 1994

The effect of orally supplemented urea on eating and rumination behaviour of sheep fed a low-quality hay was investigated in this study. Daily time spent eating was not influenced by ruminal addition of urea, thus the eating rate (g DM/min) also did not change with urea supplementation. The rumination appearance (the lag time after eating) tended to be shorted with urea supplement than without supplement, but not significantly (p>0.05). Daily time spent ruminating was in the range of 600-630 min/d, and rumination index (ruminating time/100 g DM ingested) was 85 min. on the average for all the treatments, but there were no significant differences among the values in each treatment. Daily number of rumination periods tended to be smaller with urea supplement than with no urea, but not significantly (p>0.05), and cyclic rate was almost constant in all the treatments. From these results, it may be concluded that an administration of urea in sheep receiving hay diet could have little effect on eating and rumination behaviour, when it was given at two times a day.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.108-114
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• 2014

Male factors account for 20%-50% of cases of infertility and in 25% of cases, the etiology of male infertility is unknown. Effective treatments are well-established for hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, male accessory gland infection, retrograde ejaculation, and positive antisperm antibody. However, the appropriate treatment for idiopathic male infertility is unclear. Empirical medical treatment (EMT) has been used in men with idiopathic infertility and can be divided into two categories based on the mode of action: hormonal treatment and antioxidant supplementation. Hormonal medications consist of gonadotropins, androgens, estrogen receptor blockers, and aromatase inhibitors. Antioxidants such as vitamins, zinc, and carnitines have also been widely used to reduce oxidative stress-induced spermatozoa damage. Although scientifically acceptable evidence of EMT is limited because of the lack of large, randomized, controlled studies, recent systematic reviews with meta-analyses have shown that the administration of gonadotropins, anti-estrogens, and oral antioxidants results in a significant increase in the live birth rate compared with control treatments. Therefore, all physicians who treat infertility should bear in mind that EMT can improve semen parameters and subsequent fertility potential through natural intercourse.

• BMB Reports
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.563-570
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• 2005

Tamoxifen citrate (TAM), is widely used for treatment of breast cancer. It showed a degree of hepatic carcinogenesis. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the antioxidant capacity of green tea (Camellia sinensis) extract (GTE) against TAM-induced liver injury. A model of liver injury in female rats was done by intraperitoneal injection of TAM in a dose of $45\;mg\;Kg^{-1}\;day^{-1}$, i.p. for 7 successive days. GTE in the concentration of 1.5%, was orally administered 4 days prior and 14 days after TAM-intoxication as a sole source of drinking water. The antioxidant flavonoid; epicatechin (a component of green tea) was not detectable in liver and blood of rats in either normal control or TAM-intoxicated group, however, TAM intoxication resulted in a significant decrease of its level in liver homogenate of tamoxifen-intoxicated rats. The model of TAM-intoxication elicited significant declines in the antioxidant enzymes (glutathione-S-transferase,glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase) and reduced glutathione concomitant with significant elevations transaminase) levels. The oral administration of 1.5% GTE to TAM-intoxicated rats, produced significant increments in the antioxidant enzymes and reduced glutathione concomitant with significant decrements in TBARS and liver transaminases levels. The data obtained from this study speculated that 1.5% GTE has the capacity to scavenge free radical and can protect against oxidative stress induced by TAM intoxication. Supplementation of GTE could be useful in alleviating tamoxifen-induced liver injury in rats.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.204-209
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• 2008

The present study examined the ex vivo effect of Job's tear on immune function. Seven to eight week old mice(Balb/c) were fed a chow diet ad libitum two different concentrations (50 and 500 mg/kg BW) of water extract of Job's tear were orally administ every other day for two weeks. The results indicated that macrophage activation had occurred in the mice receiving 50 mg/kg B. W. of Job's tear water extract. Overall, using a mouse model, this study demonstrated that Job's tear extract may enhance immune function by regulating the $IL-1{\beta}$, IL-6, $TNF-{\alpha}$ and IL-10 cytokine production capacity of activated macrophages in mice. This study may suggest that supplementation of Job's tear water extracts may enhance the immune function by regulating the enhancing the cytokine production by activated macrophage ex vivo.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.219-224
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• 2019

The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and effects of a soy lecithin-based supplement on the general health, skin condition, and blood lipid levels of dogs. Twenty-five, healthy, privately-owned dogs were enrolled in the study. Oral supplementation was administered for 8 weeks in the treatment group. Evaluation items included a thorough physical examination, owner responses to a questionnaire, blood analysis (CBC, CRP, serum chemistry, lipid profile). The results showed a significant improvement in amount of exercise, water intake, skin exfoliation in the treatment group (P < 0.05) but no significant changes in the other evaluation items, including no significant changes in blood component results following administration of the supplement. Most dogs well tolerated the treatment, and there were no serious adverse events. We suggest that soy lecithin has potential as a nutraceutical for the positive effect of general health condition such as activity and skin condition. Further studies are needed to establish the appropriate dose level and administration frequency of soy lecithin in dogs.