Laura Musacchio Vargas

γ-Oryzanol protects against acute cadmium-induced oxidative damage in mice testes.

Cadmium is a non-essential heavy metal that is present at low levels mainly in food and water and also in cigar smoke. The present study evaluated the testicular damage caused by acute cadmium exposure and verified the protective role of γ-oryzanol (ORY). Mice were administrated with a single dose of 2.5mg/kg of CdCl2, and then treated with ORY (50mM in canola oil, 5mL/kg). Testes were removed after 24h and tested for lipid peroxidation (TBARS), protein carbonylation, DNA breakage, ascorbic acid, cadmium and non-proteic thiols contents, and for the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and δ-aminolevulic acid dehydratase (δ-ALA-D). Cadmium presented a significant alteration in all parameters, except GPx and CAT activities. Therapy reduced in a slight degree cadmium concentration in testes (around 23%). ORY restored SOD and GST activities as well as TBARS production to the control levels. Furthermore, ORY partially recovered δ-ALA-D activity inhibited by cadmium. This study provides the first evidence on the therapeutic properties of ORY in protecting against cadmium-induced testicular toxicity.

Cadmium inhibits the ovary δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity in vitro and ex vivo: protective role of seleno-furanoside

Cadmium (Cd) toxicity is a concern to the tobacco‐smoking sub‐population which includes millions of people worldwide. Although this metal may cause severe damage to embryos and the reproductive organs, the precise mechanisms underlying its toxicity remain unclear. In the present study, the Cd effect on ovary δ‐aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ‐ALA‐D) activity was investigated in vitro and ex vivo. We observed that low concentrations of Cd inhibited cow ovary δ‐ALA‐D activity in vitro and the IC50 value obtained was 19.17 μM. Furthermore, the protective effect of a novel organic selenium compound (seleno‐furanoside) in restoring enzyme activity was evaluated. Seleno‐furanoside (10, 50, 100, 200, 400 and 1000 μM) did not reverse the Cd toxicity in bovine ovarian tissue in vitro. According to the in vitro reults, acute Cd exposure (2.5 and 5 mg kg–1) caused a significant inhibition in ovary δ‐ALA‐D activity in mice (around 27% and 34%, respectively). Therapy with seleno‐furanoside (100 µmol kg–1) was able to restore enzyme activity. Thus, we demonstrated for the first time that δ‐ALA‐D activity from ovary is inhibited by Cd both in vitro and ex vivo. Additionally, seleno‐furanoside therapy was effective in restoring ovarian enzyme activity inhibited by Cd exposure in mice, but it did not reverse the in vitro metal effect. This study detected a new toxicity marker of Cd toxicity on ovarian tissue as well as the beneficial effect of a new compound to manage the metal effect after acute exposure. Copyright

Catechins are not major components responsible for the beneficial effect of Camellia sinensis on the ovarian δ-ALA-D activity inhibited by cadmium.

Cadmium has been associated with a wide spectrum of deleterious effects on the reproductive tissues, including ovary. This investigation evaluated the protective role of Camellia sinensis (green, white and red teas) in the cadmium-induced inhibition of ovarian δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) activity in vitro and ex vivo. This study demonstrated that green and white teas restored the cow ovary δ-ALA-D activity inhibited by cadmium whereas red tea had no effect in vitro. In addition, green tea was able to restore enzyme activity inhibited after acute cadmium exposure in mice ovary. Teas infusions composition was assessed by HPLC in a quantitative assay for catechins, purine alkaloids and gallic acid as well as total polyphenol content. The greatest effect of green tea observed in vitro as well as the protective role presented in the ex vivo study could be attributed to the major content of phenols, but not catechins. In fact, catechins were not able to restore enzyme activity inhibited by cadmium, demonstrating that these compounds are not major components responsible for the beneficial effect of green tea observed in this study. This study demonstrated the helpful effect of green tea infusion in ameliorating a marker protein of cadmium intoxication in ovarian tissue.

Selenofuranoside Ameliorates Memory Loss in Alzheimer-Like Sporadic Dementia: AChE Activity, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammation Involvement

Alzheimers disease (AD) is becoming more common due to the increase in life expectancy. This study evaluated the effect of selenofuranoside (Se) in an Alzheimer-like sporadic dementia animal model. Male mice were divided into 4 groups: control, Aβ, Se, and Aβ + Se. Single administration of Aβ peptide (fragments 25–35; 3 nmol/3 μL) or distilled water was administered via intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection. Selenofuranoside (5 mg/kg) or vehicle (canola oil) was administered orally 30 min before Aβ and for 7 subsequent days. Memory was tested through the Morris water maze (MWM) and step-down passive-avoidance (SDPA) tests. Antioxidant defenses along with reactive species (RS) were assessed. Inflammatory cytokines levels and AChE activity were measured. SOD activity was inhibited in the Aβ group whereas RS were increased. AChE activity, GSH, and IL-6 levels were increased in the Aβ group. These changes were reflected in impaired cognition and memory loss, observed in both behavioral tests. Se compound was able to protect against memory loss in mice in both behavioral tests. SOD and AChE activities as well as RS and IL-6 levels were also protected by Se administration. Therefore, Se is promising for further studies.

Green tea infusion improves cyclophosphamide-induced damage on male mice reproductive system

Graphical abstract

Blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade) extract ameliorates ovarian damage induced by subchronic cadmium exposure in mice: Potential δ‐ALA‐D involvement

Females are born with a finite number of oocyte‐containing follicles and ovary damage results in reduced fertility. Cadmium accumulates in the reproductive system, damaging it, and the cigarette smoke is a potential exposure route. Natural therapies are relevant to health benefits and disease prevention. This study verified the effect of cadmium exposure on the ovaries of mice and the blueberry extract as a potential therapy. Blueberry therapy was effective in restoring reactive species levels and δ‐aminolevulinate dehydratase activity, and partially improved the viability of cadmium‐disrupted follicles. This therapy was not able to restore the 17 β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. Extract HPLC evaluation indicated the presence of quercetin, quercitrin, isoquercetin, and ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid was the major substance and its concentration was 620.24 µg/mL. Thus, cadmium accumulates in the ovaries of mice after subchronic exposure, inducing cellular damage, and the blueberry extract possesses antioxidant properties that could protect, at least in part, the ovarian tissue from cadmium toxicity.