Novel enhancer for male fertility dysfunction in STZ diabetic rats

This new study evaluated effect of aqueous leaves extracts of Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) Rafin on male reproductive hormones and histological features of the testis diabetic rats. The results obtained showed remarkable increased of sperm count, viability and motility after treatment. Testosterone, FSH and LH hormones also increased with oral administration of the plant extract at dose 70 mg/kg of body weight. The results suggested the anti hyperglycemic property of the extract as well as its positive effect to maintain male hormones concentrations. Histological examination of the testis revealed improvement of spermatogenesis and Leydig cell proliferation with all doses of the extract. However, the histoarchitecture of the testis rats received 70 and 90 mg/kg of the plant extract, was found to be similar to the healthy group. These findings suggest that the extract can maintain the damage fertility in diabetic rats. These promising results may explain the use of this plant in the future for therapeutic treatment of diabetes complications associated subfertility.

Novel enhancer for male fertility dysfunction in STZ diabetic rats

This new study evaluated effect of aqueous leaves extracts of Chrozophora tinctoria (L.) Rafin on male reproductive hormones and histological features of the testis diabetic rats. The results obtained showed remarkable increased of sperm count, viability and motility after treatment. Testosterone, FSH and LH hormones also increased with oral administration of the plant extract at dose 70 mg/kg of body weight. The results suggested the anti hyperglycemic property of the extract as well as its positive effect to maintain male hormones concentrations. Histological examination of the testis revealed improvement of spermatogenesis and Leydig cell proliferation with all doses of the extract. However, the histoarchitecture of the testis rats received 70 and 90 mg/kg of the plant extract, was found to be similar to the healthy group. These findings suggest that the extract can maintain the damage fertility in diabetic rats. These promising results may explain the use of this plant in the future for therapeutic treatment of diabetes complications associated subfertility.

Effects of Sex and Seasonal Climatic Changes on the Risk of Incidence of Anti-EGFR Therapy-Induced Rash in Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Study

Background and Objectives: Seasonal climatic changes may affect the development of the rash that is characteristic of treatment with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies. We evaluated the association between seasons and rash incidence among patients with cancer. Materials and Methods: Data from patients with colorectal or head and neck cancer treated with cetuximab or panitumumab during summer (S group; n = 34) or winter (W group; n = 37) between June 2014 and February 2019 were collected to retrospectively examine patient characteristics and rash incidence ≤ 8 weeks after treatment initiation. Results: Rashes were observed in 73.5% (n = 25) and 78.4% (n = 29) and grade 3 rashes were observed in 17.6% (n = 6) and 2.7% (n = 1) of the patients in the S and W groups, respectively. The incidence of grade ≥ 2 rashes in males in the S group was higher than that in the rest of the patient groups (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The higher incidence of skin rashes in males during summer might be attributed to the effects of ultraviolet light, lack of skincare, male hormones, and secretion of anti-EGFR antibodies in sweat. These findings highlight the need for research on preventive measures for such rashes.

Quercetin Improves the Endocrine Function of Rat Testicular Tissue Under in Vitro Conditions

Summary Compounds of natural origin are often used for their beneficial effects on the male endocrine system and the synthesis of steroid biomolecules in testicular tissue. One of such compounds is quercetin (QUE), which belongs to the flavonoid family and is found in a wide range of vegetables, fruits and plant products. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of QUE on the endocrine function of rat testicular fragments under in vitro conditions. Testicular fragments from adult Wistar rats (n=9), cultured in the D-MEM medium with different concentrations of QUE (namely 1, 10 and 100 µmol/L) for 24 h at 37°C (5% CO2), were used in the experiment conducted. Following culture, the medium was separated and the levels of cholesterol (CHOL) and male hormones were measured. CHOL values were quantified spectrophotometrically, whereas the concentrations of androstenedione (ANDRO), dehydropeiandrosterone (DHEA) and testosterone (TEST) were quantified using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) commercial kit. The results obtained indicate that 10 µmol/L QUE significantly increased (P<0.001; P<0.05) the concentrations of all the steroid biomolecules considered (CHOL, ANDRO, DHEA and TEST) when compared to the control samples. Accordingly, our findings confirm the positive impact of QUE on the endocrine function and steroidogenesis of rat testicular tissue under in vitro conditions.

Effects of Sex and Weather on the Risk of Incidence of Anti-EGFR Therapy-Induced Rash in Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Study.

Seasonal climatic changes may affect the development of the rash that is characteristic of treatment with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibodies. This study evaluated the association between seasons and rash incidence among patients with cancer in Japan. Data of patients with colorectal or head and neck cancer treated with cetuximab or panitumumab during summer (S group; N = 34) or winter (W group; N = 37) between June 2014 and February 2019 were collected to retrospectively examine patient characteristics and rash incidence for ≤8 weeks after treatment initiation. Rashes were observed in 73.5% (N = 25) and 78.4% (N = 29) and grade 3 rashes were observed in 17.6% (N = 6) and 2.7% (N = 1) of the patients in the S and W groups, respectively, indicating higher rash incidence during summer (p = 0.09). Incidence of grade ≥2 rash in men in the S group was higher than that in the rest of the patient groups (p < 0.01), suggesting that rashes were more severe in men during summer. The higher incidence of skin rashes in men during summer might be attributed to the effects of ultraviolet light, lack of skincare, male hormones, and secretion of anti-EGFR antibodies in sweat. These findings highlighted the need for research on preventive measures for such rashes.

Androgen receptor activation alleviates airway hyperresponsiveness, inflammation, and remodeling in a murine model of asthma

Epidemiological studies demonstrate an apparent sex-based difference in the prevalence of asthma, with a higher risk in boys than girls, which is reversed postpuberty, where women become more prone to asthma than men, suggesting a plausible beneficial role for male hormones, especially androgens as a regulator of pathophysiology in asthmatic lungs. Using a murine model of asthma developed with mixed allergen (MA) challenge, we report a significant change in airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), as demonstrated by increased thickness of epithelial and airway smooth muscle layers and collagen deposition, as well as Th2/Th17-biased inflammation in the airways of non-gonadectomized (non-GDX) and gonadectomized (GDX) male mice. Here, compared with non-GDX mice, MA-induced AHR and inflammatory changes were more prominent in GDX mice. Activation of androgen receptor (AR) using 5α-dihydrotestosterone (5α-DHT, AR agonist) resulted in decreased Th2/Th17 inflammation and remodeling-associated changes, resulting in improved lung function compared with MA alone challenged mice, especially in GDX mice. These changes were not observed with Flutamide (Flut, AR antagonist). Overall, we show that AR exerts a significant and beneficial role in asthma by regulating AHR and inflammation.

Endocrine disrupting potency and toxicity of novel sophorolipid quaternary ammonium salts

A new class of biosurfactants, namely quaternary ammonium sophorolipids (SQAS), suitable for pharmaceutical applications, was tested for the evaluation of their (anti)estrogenic and (anti)androgenic potency with the help of YES/YAS assays. Also their toxicity towards yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and bacteria (Escherichia coli) was checked. The results achieved for SQAS, which can be regarded as potential micropollutants, were compared with those obtained for two well-known micropollutants diclofenac and 17α-ethinylestradiol subjected to the same testing procedures. This work demonstrated that acetylation of the hydroxyl group of the carbohydrate head of SQAS decreased the toxicity of this class of biosurfactants towards Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Furthermore, it contributed to the decrease of their endocrine disrupting potency. None of the SQAS studied showed clear agonist activity for female or male hormones. SQAS1 and SQAS2 revealed weak antiestrogenic and antiandrogenic potency. All of these properties were weaker, not only to the potency of the appropriate positive control in the antagonists bioassays, but also compared to the potency of other tested compounds, i.e. DCF and EE2. SQAS3 possessed most probably inhibitory activity towards male hormones. Moreover, cytotoxicity of two out of four studied SQAS at the highest concentrations towards the strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae interfered with the endocrine disruption activity. It would be also worth studying it with the use of another endocrine activity test.

The influence of human chorionic gonadotropin on hormonal and haematological profile of postpubertal male albino rats exposed to chronic oral administration of alcohol

This study evaluated the influence of human chorionic gonadotropin on hormonal and haematological profile of postpubertal male albino rats exposed to chronic oral administration of alcohol. Twenty-four mature male albino rats were assigned to four groups (n=6). Group A was the control, given distilled water, Group B was given 30% ethanol (8 ml/kg) orally 3 times a week, Group C was given human chorionic gonadotropin (HcG) (50 IU/kg) subcutaneously 3 times a week and Group D was given HcG (50 IU/kg) subcutaneously + 30% ethanol (8 ml/kg) orally 3 times a week. The study was for 10 weeks, and hormonal profile and haematology were determined. The follicle stimulating hormone of Group B decreased significantly (P<0.05) when compared to Groups A, C and D. The luteinizing hormone was significantly lower (P<0.05) in Group B when compared to Groups A, C and D. The testosterone level was significantly higher (P<0.05) in Group D when compared to Groups A, B and C. The results obtained from haematology indicated that haemoglobin concentration of Group B was significantly lower (P<0.05) when compared to Groups A, C and D. Ethanol significantly reduced (P<0.05) platelets when compared to Groups A, C and D. There was a significant reduction (P<0.05) in the neutrophils and lymphocytes in Group B when compared to Groups A, C and D. The study showed that HcG improves the level of male hormones and haematology in postpubertal albino rats exposed to chronic alcohol administration.

The Effect of Twin Sex on Menstrual Characteristics

Background and objectives: The purpose of this project is to evaluate the association between twin sex discordance and menstrual characteristics. We hypothesize that sharing the uterus with a male twin can change ovulation programming, hence changing the menstrual cycle characteristics during adulthood. This project could be novel in discovering new physiological mechanisms of hormone exposure and menstrual cycles. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study. We asked females from sex-concordant (n = 1290) and sex-discordant (n = 168) twin pairs in the Washington State Twin Registry about characteristics of menstrual cycles. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) analysis was used to compare groups. The main outcome measures included the amount of bleeding, duration of menstruation, the timing of menstruation, length of menstruation, and a number of periods per year. Results: We found a statistically significant association between the amount of menstrual period bleeding and twin sex discordance (0.42 (95% CI 0.18–0.94)). However, twin sex discordance was not associated with period duration, length of menstrual cycle, cycle regularity, or a number of periods per year. Conclusions: Twin sex discordance is not a predictor of clinical characteristics of menstruation during adulthood except for the amount of bleeding. Future studies should focus on the impact of male hormones on the amount of bleeding during menstruation.