Trihoney ameliorates hypercholesterolemia-induced epididymal histopathological changes in male rabbits

Hypercholesterolemia has been linked to weight change and histopathological alteration of male reproductive organs. The epididymis was suggested to be an early target of lipid-related infertility and can be dramatically affected by excess intake of a high cholesterol diet. On the other hand, the interest has been increased towards the use of honey as a prophylactic and therapeutic agent for various diseases. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of Trihoney (a mixture of Trigona, Mellifera and Tualang) on epididymal weight change and histopathological alterations in hypercholesterolemic male rabbits and compare its effects with atorvastatin. Forty-eight mature male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 6 groups. Two groups received standard rabbit pellet with 0 and 0.6 g/kg/day of Trihoney respectively while the other four groups received 1% cholesterol diet with 0, 0.3, 0.6 g/kg/day of Trihoney, and 2 mg/kg/day of atorvastatin. After 12 weeks, the rabbits were sacrificed and the epididymides were harvested for evaluation of weight and histopathological changes. Administration of 1% cholesterol diet either alone or in combination with atorvastatin caused a significant reduction in the epididymal weight and epididymal atrophy. Supplementation of Trihoney particularly at the dose of 0.6 g/kg/day improved epididymal weight, regained the normal architecture of the epididymal histology and increased the number of mature sperm inside the tubules of the epididymis. Based on these results, Trihoney exhibited its potential health benefit as a protective agent against epididymal weight reduction and histopathological alterations in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

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Trihoney improves testicular weight change and histopathological alterations in hypercholesterolemic rabbits

Asia Pacific Journal of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology ◽

10.35118/apjmbb.2020.028.3.08 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 75-87

Author(s):

Zenab B. Hamad Mohamed ◽

Hamad Abdulsalam Hamad Alfarisi ◽

Azantee Yazmie Abdul Wahab ◽

Azliana binti Abd Fuaat ◽

Che Anuar Che Mohamad ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Histopathological Examination ◽

Testicular Tissue ◽

Degenerative Changes ◽

Lipid Lowering ◽

Cholesterol Diet ◽

Histopathological Changes ◽

Histopathological Alterations ◽

Testicular Weight ◽

New Zealand White Rabbits

Histopathological examination of testicular tissue is the most reliable and sensitive method for detecting effects on spermatogenesis. Hypercholesterolemia reduces testicular weight, induces testicular degenerative changes, impairs spermatogenesis, affects Leydig and Sertoli cells and induces inflammation and fibrosis of testicular tissue. Based on numerous studies, honey has the ability to improve testicular histopathological abnormalities. To date, whether honey has any protective role against the effects of hypercholesterolemia on male reproductive functions is yet to be explored. This study investigated the effects of Trihoney (a mixture of Trigona, Mellifera and Tualang honeys) on changes in testicular weight and histopathological alterations induced by hypercholesterolemia in male New Zealand white rabbits. These changes were compared with the effects of atorvastatin (a lipid lowering agent) based on the same parameters. Forty-eight male New Zealand white rabbits were assigned into 6 groups and received different diets as follows; Control: commercial pellet; CH: commercial pellet and 0.6 g/kg/day Trihoney; HCD: 1% cholesterol diet; DH1: 1% cholesterol diet and 0.3 g/kg/day Trihoney; DH2: 1% cholesterol diet and 0.6 g/kg/day Trihoney; DAt: 1% cholesterol diet and 2 mg/kg/day atorvastatin. After 12 weeks, blood samples were collected for lipid analysis, the rabbits were sacrificed and the testes were harvested to evaluate any weight and histopathological changes. Administration of 1% cholesterol diet either alone or in combination with atorvastatin caused a significant reduction in the testicular weight, testicular tubular degenerative changes and spermatogenesis impairment. Trihoney, particularly, at the dose of 0.6 g/kg/day improved testicular weight, ameliorated the testicular tubular degenerative changes and enhanced spermatogenesis. The findings of this study suggest that Trihoney plays a favourable role in the protection against testicular weight reduction and histopathological changes induced by hypercholesterolemia. On the other hand, atorvastatin per se may have toxic effects on testicular tissue.

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Rutin Attenuates Hepatotoxicity in High-Cholesterol-Diet-Fed Rats

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2016/5436745 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Shakir D. AlSharari ◽

Salim S. Al-Rejaie ◽

Hatem M. Abuohashish ◽

Mohamed M. Ahmed ◽

Mohamed M. Hafez

Keyword(s):

Signaling Pathway ◽

Transforming Growth Factor Beta ◽

Transforming Growth Factor ◽

Kinase Inhibitor ◽

High Cholesterol Diet ◽

Protective Agent ◽

Cholesterol Diet ◽

High Cholesterol ◽

Expression Levels ◽

Male Wistar Rats

Background and Objective.High-cholesterol diet (HCD) intends to increase the oxidative stress in liver tissues inducing hepatotoxicity. Rutin is a natural flavonoid (vitamin p) which is known to have antioxidative properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential effects of Rutin on hypercholesterolemia-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.Materials and Methods.Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: G-I control, G-II Rutin, G-III HCD, and G-IV Rutin + HCD. The liver functions and lipid profile were used to evaluate the HCD-induced hepatotoxicity. Quantitative real time-PCR was carried out to evaluate the expression levels of genes in TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.Results.Rutin in combination with HCD showed a significant protective effect against hepatotoxicity. HCD caused significant increase in the mRNA expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), Mothers Against Decapentaplegic Homolog 2 (Smad-2), Mothers Against Decapentaplegic Homolog 4 (Smad-4), Bcl-2-binding component 3 (Bbc3),caspase-3,P53and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and decrease in the expression levels of Cyclin depended kinase inhibitor (P21) and Interleukin-3(IL-3) in hepatic cells.Conclusion. TGF-β/Smadsignaling pathway is involved in HCD-induced hepatotoxicity and Rutin inhibits the hepatotoxicity via suppressing this pathway. Therefore, Rutin might be considered as a protective agent for hepatotoxicity.

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Tempeh and red ginger flour for hypercholesterolemic rats

Nutrition & Food Science ◽

10.1108/nfs-01-2020-0005 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Luthfia Dewi ◽

Lara Ayu Lestari ◽

Azizah Nur Astiningrum ◽

Vita Fadhila ◽

Nur Amala ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Weight ◽

Total Cholesterol ◽

Density Lipoprotein ◽

Lipid Profiles ◽

The Other ◽

High Cholesterol Diet ◽

Cholesterol Diet ◽

High Cholesterol ◽

Content Type ◽

Red Ginger

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the effect of the combination of tempeh and red ginger flour in hypercholesterolemic rats. Design/methodology/approach Sprague Dawley male rats (n = 30; body weight 150-200 g) were randomly divided by five groups (n = 6), consist of negative control (K−) group: group fed by normal diet (laboratory standard diet laboratory, 4.35 kcal/g, 0% cholesterol); positive control (K+) group: group fed by high cholesterol diet (5.28 kcal/g, 12.1% cholesterol); Treatment 1 (P1) group: group fed by high cholesterol diet and treated by tempeh flour (TF) 1.9 g/200 g body weight; Treatment 2 (P2) group: group fed by high cholesterol diet and treated by red ginger flour (RGF) 0.036 g/200 g body weight; and Treatment 3 (P3) group: group fed by high cholesterol diet and treated by a combination TF 0.95 g/200 g body weight and red ginger 0.018 g/200 g body weight. The lipid profiles and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed. Findings The combination of tempeh and red ginger has successfully exerted the total cholesterol (121.9 ± 3.41 mg/dL; p < 0.01), triglycerides (TG) (89.3 ± 2.94 mg/dL; p < 0.01), low-density lipoprotein (39.1 ± 1.59 mg/dL) and MDA (2.0 ± 0.24 mg/dL; p < 0.01) lower than the other treatments. Also, the combination of tempeh and red ginger treatment appeared the highest high-density lipoprotein concentration (63.4 ± 2.26 mg/dL; p < 0.01) compared to the other treatment groups. Total cholesterol and TG were predicted as the increasing of MDA concentration. Originality/value The combination treatments successfully improved the lipid profiles and MDA. Furthermore, the combination of tempeh and red ginger could be effective in supporting therapy as the hypolipidemic condition.

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