Combined Analysis of Gut Microbiota and Plasma Metabolites Reveals the Effect of Red-Fleshed Apple Anthocyanin Extract on Dysfunction of Mice Reproductive System Induced by Busulfan

Busulfan is currently an indispensable anti-cancer drug, but the side effects on male reproductive system are so serious. Meanwhile, red-fleshed apples are natural products with high anthocyanin content. In this research, we analyzed the effect of red-fleshed apple anthocyanin extract (RAAE) on busulfan-treated mice. Compared with the busulfan group, main plasma biochemical indicators were significantly improved after RAAE treatment. Compared with BA0 (busulfan without RAAE) group, total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione catalase (GSH-Px) in RAAE treatment groups were obviously increased, while the activity of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were significantly decreased. Malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly decreased in the RAAE groups. In addition, we found RAAE alleviated busulfan-disrupted spermatogenesis through improving genes expression which are important for spermatogenesis, such as DDX4, PGK2, and TP1. Furthermore, we found that RAAE increased beneficial bacteria Akkermansia and Lactobacillaceae, and significantly depleted harmful bacteria Erysipelotrichia. The correlation studies indicated that RAAE ameliorated busulfan-induced rise in LysoPC levels through regulating gut microbial community and their associated metabolites. In conclusion, this study extends our understanding of the alleviated effect of RAAE on busulfan-induced male reproductive dysfunction through regulating the relationships between gut microbiota and metabolites.

Application and Progress of Raman Spectroscopy in Male Reproductive System

Raman spectroscopy is a fast-developing, unmarked, non-invasive, non-destructive technique which allows for real-time scanning and sampling of biological samples in situ, reflecting the subtle biochemical composition alterations of tissues and cells through the variations of spectra. It has great potential to identify pathological tissue and provide intraoperative assistance in clinic. Raman spectroscopy has made many exciting achievements in the study of male reproductive system. In this review, we summarized literatures about the application and progress of Raman spectroscopy in male reproductive system from PubMed and Ovid databases, using MeSH terms associated to Raman spectroscopy, prostate, testis, seminal plasma and sperm. The existing challenges and development opportunities were also discussed and prospected.

Non-hormonal therapy of patients with fibrocystic mastopathy in combination with endometrial hyperplasia

Introduction. The article presents a comparative analysis of the treatment of patients with combined estrogen-dependent pathology of female reproductive system: fibrocystic mastopathy and endometrial hyperplasia without atypia. The experience of treatment with an indole-carbinol-containing drug as monotherapy while using a levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system is presented.Aim. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of indolecarbinol in the treatment of patients with combined estrogen-dependent pathology of the female reproductive system.Materials and methods. The authors studied the responses to the treatment of patients with fibrocystic mastopathy and simple endometrial hyperplasia (n = 65) with the indole-carbinol-containing drug at a dose of 400 mg once daily for 12 months. All patients were divided into two groups: Group I (n = 32) – women who refused hormone therapy (indole-carbinol monotherapy); Group II (n = 33) – the use of indole-carbinol while using the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system. Diagnostic methods: clinical and laboratory examination, ultrasound examination of mammary glands and pelvic organs, mammography, nipple discharge cytology at baseline and 6 and 12 months after the start of therapy. Before study group assignment to treatment, all patients underwent hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy and histological examination. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the data: p-values below 0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results and discussion. The presented experience in treating women with combined pathology of the female reproductive system (fibrocystic mastopathy and endometrial hyperplasia without atypia) with the indole-carbinol-containing drug showed high clinical efficacy in mastopathy (relief of mastodynia (83.0 ± 1.6%), improvement of the ultrasound view of BI-RADS (66.1 ± 1.4%), reductions in mammographic density (66.1 ± 2.1%, p < 0.05)), high tolerability and satisfactory compliance. This drug combined with hormone therapy is recommended for the treatment of endometrial hyperplasia.Сonclusion. The use of indole-carbinol in the treatment of benign hyperplastic processes in mammary glands and endometrial hyperplasia is pathogenetically substantiated and shows high clinical efficacy

The role of genes of the second phase of detoxification of xenobiotics in the pathogenesis of multifactorial diseases

The genetic status of a person is currently assigned a major role in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. The most important genetic factors that have been attached great importance to are the genes of the glutathione-S-transferase family (GSTs). The genes of the glutathione-S-transferase family belong to the second phase of detoxification of xenobiotics and their altered activity leads to the development of many pathological conditions. GSTM, GSTT, GSTP are considered to be the most polymorphic. The issues of the participation of polymorphic GSTs in the development of infectious, allergic and oncological diseases, disorders of the reproductive system, as well as in the development of Alzheimer's disease are discussed in the article.