A twelve-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of Blood-wild Sunflower Leaf ... more A twelve-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of Blood-wild Sunflower Leaf Meal (BWSLM) mixture on the performance of cross-bred (New Zealand x Chinchilla) male rabbits aged between 6-9 weeks. Thirty-two rabbits were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments of 8 rabbits per treatment in a Complete Randomized Design experiment. The BWSLM was included at 0, 5, 10 and 15% levels in diets 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The response criteria showed that feed intake, digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, either extract, ash and total digestible nutrients, feed cost/kg weight gain were significantly (p<0.05) affected. The daily weight gain and feed to gain ratio were not significantly (p>0.05) affected. The study indicated that BWSLM can be included in rabbit diet up to 15% inclusion level.
The effect of an aqueous extract of Titonia diversifolia (AETD) was investigated on morphometric ... more The effect of an aqueous extract of Titonia diversifolia (AETD) was investigated on morphometric of testis, hormonal assay and semen analysis of caudal epididymes of 24 male Wistar rats. They were divided into four groups of six rats each, Group A served as the control and was administered distilled water while groups B, C and D were treated with 50mg/kg,100mg/kg and 200mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Titonia diversifolia respectively for 28 days. The result of the study showed that aqueous extract of Titonia diversifolia affect the morphometric of testis showing a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in width, length and weight at 100mg/kg AETD, the right epididymidis was also significantly reduced in weight at 100mg/kg of AETD. Plasma testosterone significantly increased at 50mg/kg of AETD.The highest sperm count, motility, viability was also recorded at a dose of 50mg/kg. Phytochemical screening of the extract showed the presence of tannins and saponins. Aqueous extract of Titonia diversifolia at a dose of 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg possesses the potential to reduce sperm count, motility, morphology, and viability. While a dose of 50mg/kg increased the sperm count, motility and viability, and the plasma testosterone was also increased at 50mg/kg of AETD.Therefore, 50mg/kg of the extract will increase the testosterone level, thereby improving spermatogenesis and other reproductive profile.
The study was conducted to investigate the effect of varying levels of dietary lysine on growth p... more The study was conducted to investigate the effect of varying levels of dietary lysine on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, organ weight and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. One hundred and eight (108) 1-d old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to three dietarygroups (T 1 = 0.20%, T 2 = 0.40%, T 3 =0.60% lysine inclusion) of thirty-six birds replicated six times. The experiment lasted for six weeks. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in the total weight gain, average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio at the finisher phase. Birds fed T 2 and T 3 had improved crude protein digestibility (P < 0.05) compared to those fed T 1 .Moreover, birds fed T 2 had a significantly higher thighweight (P <0.05). Conclusively, birds on T 3 had better performance in terms of total weight gain, average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Although, high level of lysine in feed adequate in crude protein beyond 0.40% may not translate to hig...
Oxidative stress has been linked with sleep deprivation (SD)-induced pathological conditions and ... more Oxidative stress has been linked with sleep deprivation (SD)-induced pathological conditions and reproductive dysfunction. On the other hand, glutamine has been established to have antioxidant property. However, the impact of SD, with or without glutamine, on male reproductive function is yet to be elucidated. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the role of SD, with or without glutamine, on male reproductive function and possible associated mechanisms. Ten-week old male Wistar rats weighing 175.6 g± 0.42 were randomly assigned into vehicle that received per os (p.o.) distilled water, glutamine (1 g/kg; po), SD, and SD + glutamine that received treatments as glutamine and SD. Treatment/exposure lasted for 72 h. The results showed that SD led to reduced body weight, seminiferous luminal and epididymal sperm density, low sperm quality, increased testicular and epididymal malondialdehyde, uric acid, DNA fragmentation, and testicular injury markers. In addition, SD caused a reduction in reduced glutathione level and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase. Also, SD increased tumor necrotic factor-α, interleukin-1β, and nuclear factor-kappa B levels. Furthermore SD led to impaired libido and erectile dysfunction, and suppression of circulatory nitric oxide, gonadotropins and testosterone, and penile cGMP. However, glutamine attenuated the effects induced by SD. Taken together, the findings of this study demonstrate that SD induces reproductive dysfunction via glutathione-dependent defense depletion and down-regulation of NO/cGMP signaling, which was abolished by glutamine supplementation.
Introduction and objectives: The abuse of ecstasy as a recreational drug is widespread, despite i... more Introduction and objectives: The abuse of ecstasy as a recreational drug is widespread, despite its complications such as cardiac injury and dyslipidaemia. Till date, the involvement of testosterone and xanthine oxidase (XO)/ uric acid (UA)/ caspase 3 signaling in ecstasy-induced cardiac injury and dysmetabolism is yet to be reported. The possible effect of glutathione in ecstasy-induced cardiac injury is also yet to be documented. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the involvement of circulating testosterone and XO/UA/caspase 3 pathway in ecstasy-induced cardiac injury and dysmetabolism. Also, the effect of glutathione in ecstasy-induced cardiac injury was explored. Methods: Forty eight male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into six groups (n= 8). The control rats received distilled water, glutathione-treated rats received 15 mg/kg of glutathione, low dose ecstasy-treated (LDE) and high dose ecstasy-treated (HDE) rats received 5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg of ecstasy respectively, LDE + glutathione-treated rats received 15 mg/kg of glutathione and 5 mg/kg of ecstasy, and HDE + glutathione-treated rats received 15 mg/kg of glutathione and 15 mg/kg of ecstasy via gavage for 8 weeks. Results: Ecstasy significantly increased the relative cardiac mass, but did not significantly alter the body weight gain and absolute cardiac mass. It also caused increased mean arterial pressure, diastolic pressure, heart rate, PR interval, and QT interval. In addition, it led to insulin resistance and improved β-cell function, increased fasting levels of insulin and plasma and cardiac lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine kinase, troponin I and T, C-reactive protein, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, lipid peroxidation, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and NF-kB levels. These alterations were accompanied by increased plasma and cardiac levels of XO, UA, and caspase 3, reduced circulating testosterone, glutathione content, and glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase, and distortion of cardiac histo-architecture. However, glutathione administration averted ecstasy-driven cardiac injury and metabolic derangement. Conclusions: Taken together, these findings infer that ecstasy induces defective cardiac metabolic flexibility, which is associated with upregulation of XO/UA/caspase 3 signaling and downregulation of circulating testosterone and glutathione defense mechanisms. Also, these results indicate that glutathione alleviates ecstasy-induced cardiac metabolic inflexibility by suppressing XO/UA/caspase 3 signaling and enhancing circulating testosterone and glutathione defense mechanisms. Self funded This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.
Background: There is a claim in folklore medicine in Nigeria that trona (a sesquicarbonate or hyd... more Background: There is a claim in folklore medicine in Nigeria that trona (a sesquicarbonate or hydrated carbonate of sodium) causes fetal loss. However, this has not been substantiated or refuted by any scientific evidence. Aim: This study evaluates whether or not trona causes fetal loss in pregnant female Wistar rats. Methods: Pregnant Wistar rats of comparable weights were randomized into three groups. Group A (control) was given a single dose of 1.25 mL/kg body weight of lime while groups B and C were given 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight of trona, respectively. Results: There was no significant difference in the body weight gained across all the groups. The dose of 250 mg/kg body weight of trona decreased the number of live fetus, while 500 mg/kg body weight produced no live fetus; 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight of trona led to fetal loss rate of 83.33% and 100%, respectively. Trona also reduced the concentrations of serum progesterone and cholesterol, and increased serum oestradiol. Conclusion: This study revealed that trona causes fetal loss. This is possibly via an oestrogen-dependent mechanism, and attributed to the chemical constituents of trona.
Introduction: Although, codeine has been demonstrated to lower sperm quality; the effects of mate... more Introduction: Although, codeine has been demonstrated to lower sperm quality; the effects of maternal and prepubertal codeine exposure on male offspring is yet to be reported. In addition, the effect of arginine on codeine-induced decline in sperm quality has not been explored. This study investigated the impact of maternal and prepubertal codeine exposure on spermatogenesis and sperm quality in F1 male Wistar rats to study the effect that codeine may have during recreational use in humans. Also, the effect of arginine supplementation on codeine-induced alteration in spermatogenesis and sperm quality was evaluated. Methods: Female rats were treated with either 0.5 ml distilled water or codeine orally for eight weeks, and then mated with male rats (female:male, 2:1). The F1 male offsprings of both cohorts were weaned at 3 weeks old and administered distilled water, codeine, arginine, or codeine with arginine orally for eight weeks. Results: Prepubertal codeine exposure in rats whose dams (female parents) were exposed to codeine delayed puberty and reduced the weight at puberty. Prepubertal codeine exposure exacerbated maternal codeine exposureinduced reduced total and daily spermatid production, sperm count, sperm motility, and normal sperm form, as well as impaired sperm plasma membrane integrity and increased not intact acrosome and damaged sperm DNA integrity. These perturbations were accompanied by a decrease in mRNA levels encoding spermatogenic genes, testicular testosterone and androgen receptor (AR) concentrations, and upregulation of sperm 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8OHdG). Prepubertal arginine supplementation mitigated codeine-induced alterations.
Cell proliferation and angiogenesis are of utmost importance for healing to take place. e KI67 an... more Cell proliferation and angiogenesis are of utmost importance for healing to take place. e KI67 and EGFR proteins are markers of cell proliferation, while CD31 and factor VIII are markers of angiogenesis. To elucidate the mechanism responsible for delayed healing of the gastric injury in old age, we analyzed the expression of these markers in rats of different months during the healing of an acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer. Male Wistar rats (aged 3, 6, 12, and 18 months) divided into four groups, according to their ages, formed the experimental animals. Stomach tissue samples were collected on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 after induction for assessment of ulcer healing. e area of gastric mucosa healed was inversely proportional to age. e expression of markers of proliferation (KI67 and EGFR) and angiogenesis (factor VIII and CD31) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in older rats when compared with younger ones (3 months > six months > 12 months > 18 months) on days 7, 14, and 21 after induction of gastric ulcer. is study revealed that the slower gastric ulcer healing rate in older rats might be due to reduced epithelial cell proliferation and angiogenic activities.
Background: Codeine is the latest trend of drug abuse, particularly in Nigeria and regarded as th... more Background: Codeine is the latest trend of drug abuse, particularly in Nigeria and regarded as the gateway to the abuse of other substances. Objectives: The present study examined the effects of graded doses of codeine on sexual behaviour and fertility profile. Materials and methods: Rabbits were either administered normal saline (0.2 mL), 4mg/kg b.w of codeine (low dose), or 10mg/kg b.w of codeine (high dose) p.o for 6 weeks. Results and discussion: Findings of the study showed that codeine administration significantly increased libido as witnessed by significantly short mount latency (ML), intromission latency (IL), post-ejaculatory interval (PEI) and significantly increased mount frequency (MF), intromission frequency (IF) and ejaculation latency (EL). Furthermore, codeine caused a marked rise in penile reflexes evident by a significant increase in erections, quick flips, long flips and total penile reflexes. However, copulatory efficiency and fertility index were significantly lower in codeine-treated groups when compared with the control. Serum levels of testosterone were also significantly lower in the treated groups. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that codeine-induced enhancement of sexual performance is via a testosterone-independent mechanism. It also reveals that although codeine enhances copulatory locomotor activity, it is a potential risk factor for infertility.
Background: Opioids have been implicated to induce infertility. Although codeine remains the most... more Background: Opioids have been implicated to induce infertility. Although codeine remains the most used opioid for recreational purpose, no study has documented its effect on sperm quality. Elucidating the effect of codeine on sperm cells and the associated mechanisms may provide an insight into preventing drug-induced sperm damage. Twenty-one New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into three groups; control and codeine-treated. The codeine-treated groups received either 4 or 10mg/kg b.w of codeine for six weeks. Results: Codeine treatment led to significant decrease in sperm count, motility, viability, normal morphology, and sperm membrane integrity. This was associated with significant rise in sperm DNA fragmentation, oxidative damage, and caspase 3 activity. The percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation correlates positively with 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage, and caspase 3 activity, a biomarker of apoptosis. The observed correlation was stronger between sperm DNA fragmentation and oxidative DNA damage than sperm DNA fragmentation and caspase 3 activity. Conclusion: This study revealed that chronic codeine exposure causes sperm DNA fragmentation and poor sperm quality primarily via oxidative stress rather than activation of caspase 3-dependent apoptosis. Findings of the present study may explain drug-induced male factor infertility, particularly, those associated with opioid use.
Background: It has been established that thyroid dysfunction causes impairment of reproductive fu... more Background: It has been established that thyroid dysfunction causes impairment of reproductive function. However, laboratory and human studies that associated this with female reproductive hormones are conflicting and data reporting the effects of thyroid dysfunction on reproductive organs are insufficient. Aim: This study investigated the effect of experimental hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism on hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and reproductive organs morphometry and histology in female rats. Methods: Laboratory animals were randomized into one of the three groups: control, carbimazoleinduced hypothyroidism and levothyroxine-induced hyperthyroidism. Results: Organ morphometry and serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were statistically comparable across all groups. Serum progesterone increased in hypothyroid rats but was reduced in hyperthyroid rats when compared with the control (p < 0.05). Body weight gain, serum luteinizing hormone and oestradiol were significantly reduced in both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid states when compared to the control. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism also led to alterations in organ cytoarchitecture. Conclusion: Findings from this study suggest that impairment of reproductive function associated with thyroid dysfunction is attendant with derangement of hormonal milieu and alteration in reproductive organs cytoarchitecture. Luteinizing hormone and oestradiol are implicated.
Background Codeine, a 3-methylmorphine, and other related opioids have been implicated in androge... more Background Codeine, a 3-methylmorphine, and other related opioids have been implicated in androgen suppression, although the associated mechanisms remain unclear. Aim Therefore, the objective of the current study was to elucidate the in vivo molecular mechanisms underlying codeine-induced androgen suppression. Methods This study made use of twenty-one healthy male rabbits, distributed into three groups randomly, control and codeine-treated groups. The control had 1ml of normal saline daily p.o. The codeine-treated groups received either 4mg/kg b.w of codeine or 10mg/kg b.w of codeine p.o. for six weeks. Reproductive hormonal profile, testicular weight, testicular enzymes, oxidative and inflammatory parameters, testicular DNA fragmentation, histological examination and apoptosis marker were evaluated to examine the effects of codeine use.
Background Codeine, a common drug of abuse, has been reported to induce organ damage; however, th... more Background Codeine, a common drug of abuse, has been reported to induce organ damage; however, there are scanty available data on the effects of codeine on the brain. Objective Thus, we tested the hypothesis that redox dysregulation and inflammation of the brain induced by codeine exposure is 8-OHdG and/or caspase 3-dependent. Methods New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) received vehicle (control; n = 7), low-dose codeine (4 mg/kg/day p.o; n = 6), or high-dose codeine (10 mg/kg/day p.o; n = 6) for six weeks. Body weight was checked before and after the study. Results Findings showed that codeine exposure resulted in redox dysregulation (evident by elevated MDA and H2O2 accompanied by reduced enzymatic antioxidant activities), elevated MPO activity, and distorted cytoarchitecture of the brain tissue. The observed codeine-induced redox imbalance and brain inflammation was accompanied by depletion of neuronal and purkinje cells, reduced AchE activity, and elevated 8-OHdG levels and caspase 3 activity. Conclusions The current study demonstrates that chronic codeine use induces oxido-inflammatory response and apoptosis of the brain tissue that is associated with neuronal and purkinje cells injury, and impaired AchE activity through 8-OHdG and/or caspase 3-dependent pathway.
Background: Determination of the phases of the estrous cycle and induction of estrus (heat) in ex... more Background: Determination of the phases of the estrous cycle and induction of estrus (heat) in experimental animals remains useful, especially in reproductive function research. Main body of the abstract: This review provides a detailed description and discusses extensively the variations observed in different phases of the estrous cycle in laboratory animals using rats and mice as examples. It also illustrates how these phases can be determined and how to induce estrus 'heat' when required. The phases of the estrous cycle can be determined using various methods such as visual assessment, vaginal smear/cytology, histology of female reproductive organs (vagina, uterus and ovaries), vaginal wall impedance assessment and determination of urine biochemical parameters. Female animals can be artificially brought to estrus phase 'heat' to make them receptive to male counterparts. Conclusion: Determination of the length and phases of the estrous cycle and induction of estrus are useful in teaching and research and evaluating the effects of drugs/chemicals on the reproductive functions.
Several studies have implicated codeine use in the aetiopathogenesis of male infertility. The pur... more Several studies have implicated codeine use in the aetiopathogenesis of male infertility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of HER2, Ki67, oestrogen and p53/Bcl-2 signaling pathways and the possible outcome of codeine cessation on codeine-induced reproductive toxicity. Thirty adult male Wistar rats of comparable ages and weights were randomly allocated into 5 groups. The control animals received distilled water per os (p.o), while animals in the low-dose (LDC) and high dose (HDC) codeine-treated groups received 2 and 5 mg/kg/day of codeine respectively p.o for 6 weeks. The animals in the low-dose codeine recovery (LDC-R) and high-dose codeine recovery (HDC-R) groups received treatment as LDC and HDC respectively followed by another drug-free six weeks, recovery period. Cessation of codeine exposure led to a partial reversal of codeine-induced poor sperm quality, reduced litter size and weight, increased oxidative testicular injury, testicular apoptosis, and testicular DNA damage caused by codeine administration. Codeine-induced gonado-spermotoxicity was associated with a reduction of circulatory testosterone, suppression of testicular HER2, Ki67, and Bcl-2 expression, down-regulation of oestrogen signaling, and upregulation of testicular caspase 3 activities and p53 signaling pathway. Conclusion: Upregulation of oestrogen signaling associated with enhanced testicular HER2 and Ki67 expression during the recovery period is seemingly beneficial in protecting against codeine-related testicular injury and infertility.
Infertility is the failure of a couple to achieve conception after 12 months of adequate unprotec... more Infertility is the failure of a couple to achieve conception after 12 months of adequate unprotected sexual intercourse (Wiwanitkit, 2008). It is a major health challenge with social implications among couples, particularly in the tropics (Yeşilli et al., 2005). Although Mascarenhas, Cheung, Mathers, and Stevens (2012) suggested a dearth of data on the global prevalence of infertility, Boivin, Bunting, Collins, and Nygren (2007) documented that about 72.4 million couples experience fertility problems globally. This accounts for about 15% of couples (Dissanayake, Keerthirathna, & Peiris, 2019). Contrary to the popular misconception that infertility is attributable to female factor, it has been established that about 30%-50% cases of primary infertility is due to male factor (Ajayi &
A twelve-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of Blood-wild Sunflower Leaf ... more A twelve-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of Blood-wild Sunflower Leaf Meal (BWSLM) mixture on the performance of cross-bred (New Zealand x Chinchilla) male rabbits aged between 6-9 weeks. Thirty-two rabbits were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments of 8 rabbits per treatment in a Complete Randomized Design experiment. The BWSLM was included at 0, 5, 10 and 15% levels in diets 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. The response criteria showed that feed intake, digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, either extract, ash and total digestible nutrients, feed cost/kg weight gain were significantly (p<0.05) affected. The daily weight gain and feed to gain ratio were not significantly (p>0.05) affected. The study indicated that BWSLM can be included in rabbit diet up to 15% inclusion level.
The effect of an aqueous extract of Titonia diversifolia (AETD) was investigated on morphometric ... more The effect of an aqueous extract of Titonia diversifolia (AETD) was investigated on morphometric of testis, hormonal assay and semen analysis of caudal epididymes of 24 male Wistar rats. They were divided into four groups of six rats each, Group A served as the control and was administered distilled water while groups B, C and D were treated with 50mg/kg,100mg/kg and 200mg/kg body weight of aqueous extract of Titonia diversifolia respectively for 28 days. The result of the study showed that aqueous extract of Titonia diversifolia affect the morphometric of testis showing a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in width, length and weight at 100mg/kg AETD, the right epididymidis was also significantly reduced in weight at 100mg/kg of AETD. Plasma testosterone significantly increased at 50mg/kg of AETD.The highest sperm count, motility, viability was also recorded at a dose of 50mg/kg. Phytochemical screening of the extract showed the presence of tannins and saponins. Aqueous extract of Titonia diversifolia at a dose of 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg possesses the potential to reduce sperm count, motility, morphology, and viability. While a dose of 50mg/kg increased the sperm count, motility and viability, and the plasma testosterone was also increased at 50mg/kg of AETD.Therefore, 50mg/kg of the extract will increase the testosterone level, thereby improving spermatogenesis and other reproductive profile.
The study was conducted to investigate the effect of varying levels of dietary lysine on growth p... more The study was conducted to investigate the effect of varying levels of dietary lysine on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, organ weight and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens. One hundred and eight (108) 1-d old broiler chicks were randomly assigned to three dietarygroups (T 1 = 0.20%, T 2 = 0.40%, T 3 =0.60% lysine inclusion) of thirty-six birds replicated six times. The experiment lasted for six weeks. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were observed in the total weight gain, average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio at the finisher phase. Birds fed T 2 and T 3 had improved crude protein digestibility (P < 0.05) compared to those fed T 1 .Moreover, birds fed T 2 had a significantly higher thighweight (P <0.05). Conclusively, birds on T 3 had better performance in terms of total weight gain, average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio. Although, high level of lysine in feed adequate in crude protein beyond 0.40% may not translate to hig...
Oxidative stress has been linked with sleep deprivation (SD)-induced pathological conditions and ... more Oxidative stress has been linked with sleep deprivation (SD)-induced pathological conditions and reproductive dysfunction. On the other hand, glutamine has been established to have antioxidant property. However, the impact of SD, with or without glutamine, on male reproductive function is yet to be elucidated. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the role of SD, with or without glutamine, on male reproductive function and possible associated mechanisms. Ten-week old male Wistar rats weighing 175.6 g± 0.42 were randomly assigned into vehicle that received per os (p.o.) distilled water, glutamine (1 g/kg; po), SD, and SD + glutamine that received treatments as glutamine and SD. Treatment/exposure lasted for 72 h. The results showed that SD led to reduced body weight, seminiferous luminal and epididymal sperm density, low sperm quality, increased testicular and epididymal malondialdehyde, uric acid, DNA fragmentation, and testicular injury markers. In addition, SD caused a reduction in reduced glutathione level and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione-S-transferase. Also, SD increased tumor necrotic factor-α, interleukin-1β, and nuclear factor-kappa B levels. Furthermore SD led to impaired libido and erectile dysfunction, and suppression of circulatory nitric oxide, gonadotropins and testosterone, and penile cGMP. However, glutamine attenuated the effects induced by SD. Taken together, the findings of this study demonstrate that SD induces reproductive dysfunction via glutathione-dependent defense depletion and down-regulation of NO/cGMP signaling, which was abolished by glutamine supplementation.
Introduction and objectives: The abuse of ecstasy as a recreational drug is widespread, despite i... more Introduction and objectives: The abuse of ecstasy as a recreational drug is widespread, despite its complications such as cardiac injury and dyslipidaemia. Till date, the involvement of testosterone and xanthine oxidase (XO)/ uric acid (UA)/ caspase 3 signaling in ecstasy-induced cardiac injury and dysmetabolism is yet to be reported. The possible effect of glutathione in ecstasy-induced cardiac injury is also yet to be documented. Hence, this study was designed to evaluate the involvement of circulating testosterone and XO/UA/caspase 3 pathway in ecstasy-induced cardiac injury and dysmetabolism. Also, the effect of glutathione in ecstasy-induced cardiac injury was explored. Methods: Forty eight male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into six groups (n= 8). The control rats received distilled water, glutathione-treated rats received 15 mg/kg of glutathione, low dose ecstasy-treated (LDE) and high dose ecstasy-treated (HDE) rats received 5 mg/kg and 15 mg/kg of ecstasy respectively, LDE + glutathione-treated rats received 15 mg/kg of glutathione and 5 mg/kg of ecstasy, and HDE + glutathione-treated rats received 15 mg/kg of glutathione and 15 mg/kg of ecstasy via gavage for 8 weeks. Results: Ecstasy significantly increased the relative cardiac mass, but did not significantly alter the body weight gain and absolute cardiac mass. It also caused increased mean arterial pressure, diastolic pressure, heart rate, PR interval, and QT interval. In addition, it led to insulin resistance and improved β-cell function, increased fasting levels of insulin and plasma and cardiac lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine kinase, troponin I and T, C-reactive protein, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, lipid peroxidation, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and NF-kB levels. These alterations were accompanied by increased plasma and cardiac levels of XO, UA, and caspase 3, reduced circulating testosterone, glutathione content, and glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase, and distortion of cardiac histo-architecture. However, glutathione administration averted ecstasy-driven cardiac injury and metabolic derangement. Conclusions: Taken together, these findings infer that ecstasy induces defective cardiac metabolic flexibility, which is associated with upregulation of XO/UA/caspase 3 signaling and downregulation of circulating testosterone and glutathione defense mechanisms. Also, these results indicate that glutathione alleviates ecstasy-induced cardiac metabolic inflexibility by suppressing XO/UA/caspase 3 signaling and enhancing circulating testosterone and glutathione defense mechanisms. Self funded This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.
Background: There is a claim in folklore medicine in Nigeria that trona (a sesquicarbonate or hyd... more Background: There is a claim in folklore medicine in Nigeria that trona (a sesquicarbonate or hydrated carbonate of sodium) causes fetal loss. However, this has not been substantiated or refuted by any scientific evidence. Aim: This study evaluates whether or not trona causes fetal loss in pregnant female Wistar rats. Methods: Pregnant Wistar rats of comparable weights were randomized into three groups. Group A (control) was given a single dose of 1.25 mL/kg body weight of lime while groups B and C were given 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight of trona, respectively. Results: There was no significant difference in the body weight gained across all the groups. The dose of 250 mg/kg body weight of trona decreased the number of live fetus, while 500 mg/kg body weight produced no live fetus; 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight of trona led to fetal loss rate of 83.33% and 100%, respectively. Trona also reduced the concentrations of serum progesterone and cholesterol, and increased serum oestradiol. Conclusion: This study revealed that trona causes fetal loss. This is possibly via an oestrogen-dependent mechanism, and attributed to the chemical constituents of trona.
Introduction: Although, codeine has been demonstrated to lower sperm quality; the effects of mate... more Introduction: Although, codeine has been demonstrated to lower sperm quality; the effects of maternal and prepubertal codeine exposure on male offspring is yet to be reported. In addition, the effect of arginine on codeine-induced decline in sperm quality has not been explored. This study investigated the impact of maternal and prepubertal codeine exposure on spermatogenesis and sperm quality in F1 male Wistar rats to study the effect that codeine may have during recreational use in humans. Also, the effect of arginine supplementation on codeine-induced alteration in spermatogenesis and sperm quality was evaluated. Methods: Female rats were treated with either 0.5 ml distilled water or codeine orally for eight weeks, and then mated with male rats (female:male, 2:1). The F1 male offsprings of both cohorts were weaned at 3 weeks old and administered distilled water, codeine, arginine, or codeine with arginine orally for eight weeks. Results: Prepubertal codeine exposure in rats whose dams (female parents) were exposed to codeine delayed puberty and reduced the weight at puberty. Prepubertal codeine exposure exacerbated maternal codeine exposureinduced reduced total and daily spermatid production, sperm count, sperm motility, and normal sperm form, as well as impaired sperm plasma membrane integrity and increased not intact acrosome and damaged sperm DNA integrity. These perturbations were accompanied by a decrease in mRNA levels encoding spermatogenic genes, testicular testosterone and androgen receptor (AR) concentrations, and upregulation of sperm 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8OHdG). Prepubertal arginine supplementation mitigated codeine-induced alterations.
Cell proliferation and angiogenesis are of utmost importance for healing to take place. e KI67 an... more Cell proliferation and angiogenesis are of utmost importance for healing to take place. e KI67 and EGFR proteins are markers of cell proliferation, while CD31 and factor VIII are markers of angiogenesis. To elucidate the mechanism responsible for delayed healing of the gastric injury in old age, we analyzed the expression of these markers in rats of different months during the healing of an acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer. Male Wistar rats (aged 3, 6, 12, and 18 months) divided into four groups, according to their ages, formed the experimental animals. Stomach tissue samples were collected on days 3, 7, 14, and 21 after induction for assessment of ulcer healing. e area of gastric mucosa healed was inversely proportional to age. e expression of markers of proliferation (KI67 and EGFR) and angiogenesis (factor VIII and CD31) decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in older rats when compared with younger ones (3 months > six months > 12 months > 18 months) on days 7, 14, and 21 after induction of gastric ulcer. is study revealed that the slower gastric ulcer healing rate in older rats might be due to reduced epithelial cell proliferation and angiogenic activities.
Background: Codeine is the latest trend of drug abuse, particularly in Nigeria and regarded as th... more Background: Codeine is the latest trend of drug abuse, particularly in Nigeria and regarded as the gateway to the abuse of other substances. Objectives: The present study examined the effects of graded doses of codeine on sexual behaviour and fertility profile. Materials and methods: Rabbits were either administered normal saline (0.2 mL), 4mg/kg b.w of codeine (low dose), or 10mg/kg b.w of codeine (high dose) p.o for 6 weeks. Results and discussion: Findings of the study showed that codeine administration significantly increased libido as witnessed by significantly short mount latency (ML), intromission latency (IL), post-ejaculatory interval (PEI) and significantly increased mount frequency (MF), intromission frequency (IF) and ejaculation latency (EL). Furthermore, codeine caused a marked rise in penile reflexes evident by a significant increase in erections, quick flips, long flips and total penile reflexes. However, copulatory efficiency and fertility index were significantly lower in codeine-treated groups when compared with the control. Serum levels of testosterone were also significantly lower in the treated groups. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that codeine-induced enhancement of sexual performance is via a testosterone-independent mechanism. It also reveals that although codeine enhances copulatory locomotor activity, it is a potential risk factor for infertility.
Background: Opioids have been implicated to induce infertility. Although codeine remains the most... more Background: Opioids have been implicated to induce infertility. Although codeine remains the most used opioid for recreational purpose, no study has documented its effect on sperm quality. Elucidating the effect of codeine on sperm cells and the associated mechanisms may provide an insight into preventing drug-induced sperm damage. Twenty-one New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into three groups; control and codeine-treated. The codeine-treated groups received either 4 or 10mg/kg b.w of codeine for six weeks. Results: Codeine treatment led to significant decrease in sperm count, motility, viability, normal morphology, and sperm membrane integrity. This was associated with significant rise in sperm DNA fragmentation, oxidative damage, and caspase 3 activity. The percentage of sperm DNA fragmentation correlates positively with 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage, and caspase 3 activity, a biomarker of apoptosis. The observed correlation was stronger between sperm DNA fragmentation and oxidative DNA damage than sperm DNA fragmentation and caspase 3 activity. Conclusion: This study revealed that chronic codeine exposure causes sperm DNA fragmentation and poor sperm quality primarily via oxidative stress rather than activation of caspase 3-dependent apoptosis. Findings of the present study may explain drug-induced male factor infertility, particularly, those associated with opioid use.
Background: It has been established that thyroid dysfunction causes impairment of reproductive fu... more Background: It has been established that thyroid dysfunction causes impairment of reproductive function. However, laboratory and human studies that associated this with female reproductive hormones are conflicting and data reporting the effects of thyroid dysfunction on reproductive organs are insufficient. Aim: This study investigated the effect of experimental hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism on hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and reproductive organs morphometry and histology in female rats. Methods: Laboratory animals were randomized into one of the three groups: control, carbimazoleinduced hypothyroidism and levothyroxine-induced hyperthyroidism. Results: Organ morphometry and serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) were statistically comparable across all groups. Serum progesterone increased in hypothyroid rats but was reduced in hyperthyroid rats when compared with the control (p < 0.05). Body weight gain, serum luteinizing hormone and oestradiol were significantly reduced in both hypothyroid and hyperthyroid states when compared to the control. Hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism also led to alterations in organ cytoarchitecture. Conclusion: Findings from this study suggest that impairment of reproductive function associated with thyroid dysfunction is attendant with derangement of hormonal milieu and alteration in reproductive organs cytoarchitecture. Luteinizing hormone and oestradiol are implicated.
Background Codeine, a 3-methylmorphine, and other related opioids have been implicated in androge... more Background Codeine, a 3-methylmorphine, and other related opioids have been implicated in androgen suppression, although the associated mechanisms remain unclear. Aim Therefore, the objective of the current study was to elucidate the in vivo molecular mechanisms underlying codeine-induced androgen suppression. Methods This study made use of twenty-one healthy male rabbits, distributed into three groups randomly, control and codeine-treated groups. The control had 1ml of normal saline daily p.o. The codeine-treated groups received either 4mg/kg b.w of codeine or 10mg/kg b.w of codeine p.o. for six weeks. Reproductive hormonal profile, testicular weight, testicular enzymes, oxidative and inflammatory parameters, testicular DNA fragmentation, histological examination and apoptosis marker were evaluated to examine the effects of codeine use.
Background Codeine, a common drug of abuse, has been reported to induce organ damage; however, th... more Background Codeine, a common drug of abuse, has been reported to induce organ damage; however, there are scanty available data on the effects of codeine on the brain. Objective Thus, we tested the hypothesis that redox dysregulation and inflammation of the brain induced by codeine exposure is 8-OHdG and/or caspase 3-dependent. Methods New Zealand White rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) received vehicle (control; n = 7), low-dose codeine (4 mg/kg/day p.o; n = 6), or high-dose codeine (10 mg/kg/day p.o; n = 6) for six weeks. Body weight was checked before and after the study. Results Findings showed that codeine exposure resulted in redox dysregulation (evident by elevated MDA and H2O2 accompanied by reduced enzymatic antioxidant activities), elevated MPO activity, and distorted cytoarchitecture of the brain tissue. The observed codeine-induced redox imbalance and brain inflammation was accompanied by depletion of neuronal and purkinje cells, reduced AchE activity, and elevated 8-OHdG levels and caspase 3 activity. Conclusions The current study demonstrates that chronic codeine use induces oxido-inflammatory response and apoptosis of the brain tissue that is associated with neuronal and purkinje cells injury, and impaired AchE activity through 8-OHdG and/or caspase 3-dependent pathway.
Background: Determination of the phases of the estrous cycle and induction of estrus (heat) in ex... more Background: Determination of the phases of the estrous cycle and induction of estrus (heat) in experimental animals remains useful, especially in reproductive function research. Main body of the abstract: This review provides a detailed description and discusses extensively the variations observed in different phases of the estrous cycle in laboratory animals using rats and mice as examples. It also illustrates how these phases can be determined and how to induce estrus 'heat' when required. The phases of the estrous cycle can be determined using various methods such as visual assessment, vaginal smear/cytology, histology of female reproductive organs (vagina, uterus and ovaries), vaginal wall impedance assessment and determination of urine biochemical parameters. Female animals can be artificially brought to estrus phase 'heat' to make them receptive to male counterparts. Conclusion: Determination of the length and phases of the estrous cycle and induction of estrus are useful in teaching and research and evaluating the effects of drugs/chemicals on the reproductive functions.
Several studies have implicated codeine use in the aetiopathogenesis of male infertility. The pur... more Several studies have implicated codeine use in the aetiopathogenesis of male infertility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of HER2, Ki67, oestrogen and p53/Bcl-2 signaling pathways and the possible outcome of codeine cessation on codeine-induced reproductive toxicity. Thirty adult male Wistar rats of comparable ages and weights were randomly allocated into 5 groups. The control animals received distilled water per os (p.o), while animals in the low-dose (LDC) and high dose (HDC) codeine-treated groups received 2 and 5 mg/kg/day of codeine respectively p.o for 6 weeks. The animals in the low-dose codeine recovery (LDC-R) and high-dose codeine recovery (HDC-R) groups received treatment as LDC and HDC respectively followed by another drug-free six weeks, recovery period. Cessation of codeine exposure led to a partial reversal of codeine-induced poor sperm quality, reduced litter size and weight, increased oxidative testicular injury, testicular apoptosis, and testicular DNA damage caused by codeine administration. Codeine-induced gonado-spermotoxicity was associated with a reduction of circulatory testosterone, suppression of testicular HER2, Ki67, and Bcl-2 expression, down-regulation of oestrogen signaling, and upregulation of testicular caspase 3 activities and p53 signaling pathway. Conclusion: Upregulation of oestrogen signaling associated with enhanced testicular HER2 and Ki67 expression during the recovery period is seemingly beneficial in protecting against codeine-related testicular injury and infertility.
Infertility is the failure of a couple to achieve conception after 12 months of adequate unprotec... more Infertility is the failure of a couple to achieve conception after 12 months of adequate unprotected sexual intercourse (Wiwanitkit, 2008). It is a major health challenge with social implications among couples, particularly in the tropics (Yeşilli et al., 2005). Although Mascarenhas, Cheung, Mathers, and Stevens (2012) suggested a dearth of data on the global prevalence of infertility, Boivin, Bunting, Collins, and Nygren (2007) documented that about 72.4 million couples experience fertility problems globally. This accounts for about 15% of couples (Dissanayake, Keerthirathna, & Peiris, 2019). Contrary to the popular misconception that infertility is attributable to female factor, it has been established that about 30%-50% cases of primary infertility is due to male factor (Ajayi &
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Papers by Ayodeji Ajayi