Background and Aim: The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) plays a pivotal role in spermatogenesis through its regulatory functions in redox balance and gene expression. This study aimed to investigate the effects of resveratrol (RES), a polyphenolic AhR modulator, and CH223191, a selective AhR antagonist, on male reproductive function in rats by assessing sperm quality, oxidative stress, testicular histopathology, and AhR gene expression. Materials and Methods: Forty adult male rats were randomly divided into four groups: (i) Control, (ii) dimethyl sulfoxide (vehicle), (iii) RES (100 mg/kg i.p., twice weekly), and (iv) AhR⁻ (CH223191, 10 mg/kg i.p., twice weekly), treated for 60 days. Post-treatment, sperm motility, survival, viability, and DNA fragmentation were evaluated. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, testicular histopathology, and AhR gene expression quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were analyzed. Results: RES significantly enhanced sperm motility, survival, and viability, reduced DNA fragmentation, and increased TAC while decreasing MDA levels. Histologically, RES preserved normal testicular architecture. In contrast, AhR inhibition through CH223191 led to marked reductions in sperm quality, elevated oxidative stress, increased DNA fragmentation, and severe testicular degeneration. qPCR analysis revealed upregulation of AhR expression in the RES group (fold change: +23.1%) and significant downregulation in the AhR⁻ group (fold change: −72.6%), indicating differential modulation of AhR signaling pathways. Conclusion: RES positively modulates AhR activity, safeguarding testicular structure and enhancing sperm quality through antioxidant and anti-apoptotic mechanisms. Conversely, AhR antagonism disrupts spermatogenesis, underscoring the receptor’s essential role in male fertility. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of AhR-targeting agents like RES in ameliorating male reproductive dysfunctions associated with oxidative stress and xenobiotic exposure. Keywords: antioxidant capacity, aryl hydrocarbon receptor, resveratrol, CH223191, oxidative stress, sperm DNA fragmentation, spermatogenesis.
Olive leaves extract is famous for its antioxidant and protective effects. In this study, the aqueous extract of Iraqi Olea europaea L. Leaves was investigated for its anti-diabetic effects against low double doses of alloxan induced Diabetes Mellitus in rats. Low double doses (75 mg\Kg body weight) of alloxan were injected intraperitoneally at day 1&29 of the experimental period in rats, whereas an aqueous extract of Iraqi Olea europaea L. Leaves was added continuously to their drinking water. Serum malondialdehyde concentration, total oxidative stress and oxidative stress index as oxidoreductive stress biomarker, activities of certain antioxidoreductive stress enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, super oxide dismutase and catalase) and concen
... Show MoreSince cancer is becoming a leading cause of death worldwide, efforts should be concentrated on understanding its underlying biological alterations that would be utilized in disease management, especially prevention strategies. Within this context, multiple bodies of evidence have highlighted leptin’s practical and promising role, a peptide hormone extracted from adipose and fatty tissues with other adipokines, in promoting the proliferation, migration, and metastatic invasion of breast carcinoma cells. Excessive blood leptin levels and hyperleptinemia increase body fat content and stimulate appetite. Also, high leptin level is believed to be associated with several conditions, including overeating, emotional stress, inflammation, obesity,
... Show MoreCyclophosphamide is chemotherapeutic agent that utilized for the treatment of different malignancies; however its’ used associated with numerous adverse effects. Vitamin B2 and vitamin B12 suggested having myeloprotective effect. This work is designed to investigate the myeloprotective effect of both vitamins against cyclophosphamide induced myelosuppression. One hundred adult rats of both sexes were used in this study. The animals were randomly enrolled into ten groups of 10 rats each. Group I: Control group. Group II: Cyclophosphamide-treated. Group III and Group IV Orally-administered vitamin B2 (10, and 40 mg/kg/day), respectively alone for 7 days. Group V:
... Show MoreThe crude aqueous extract of menthespicata , the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of this extraction , on the histological changes of the ovares and levels of sex hormone , ( FSH , LH , Estradiol ) in albino female mice . the extract was given orally for( 45 ) days . fourty mature female mice were used in this study , the animals divided into four major groups . each group was include ten mice . the first three groups was given different concentration )) (21 , 14 , 7 %) . While the fourth group considered as control group which had been administrated tab water . For ( 45 ) days each group had been killed for hormonal assay in blood
... Show MoreThe main process, for the elimination of cholesterol from the human body, involves the alteration of cholesterol into bile acid (BA), by the liver. The farnesoid X receptor (FXR), a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is essential for the regulation of BA, glucose, and lipid metabolism. It is largely found in the liver, intestines, kidney, and adrenal glands, and to a smaller degree in the heart and adipose tissue. The binding locations, of the FXR, are in close proximity to formerly undisclosed target genes, with distinctive activities associated with transcriptional regulators, autophagy, apoptosis, hypoxia, inflammation, RNA processing, and a number of cellular signaling pathways. The preservation of BA homeostasis, by the FXR, e
... Show MorePsoriasis is a long-lasting autoimmune disease that is characterized by swollen skin patches. Normally, these skin patches are dark, swollen, itchy and scaly. The single application of the innate TLR7/8 ligand Imiquimod (IMQ) in mice easily induces a dermatitis that closely resembles human psoriasis, critically dependent on the axis of IL-23/IL-17. Artemisia dracunculus prepared as an ointment and has been used topically to mice before imiquimod application. The results of the current study showed that A. dracunculus ointment can significantly reduce psoriasis area and severity index in (A. dracunculus ointment + imiquimod group as compared with both control group and (vehicle ointment + imiquimod) group.
This study deals with examining UCAS students’ attitudes in Gaza towards learning Arabic grammar online during the Corona pandemic. The researcher has adopted a descriptive approach and used a questionnaire as a tool for data collection. The results of the study have statistically shown significant differences at the level of "0.01" between the average scores of students in favor of the students of the humanities specializations. It has also been found that the students’ attitudes at the Department of Humanities and Media towards learning Arabic grammar online are positive. Additionally, the results revealed no statistical significant differences due to the variable of UCAS students’ scientific qualifications. The results stressed
... Show MoreAromatic hydrocarbons present in Iraqi national surface water were believed to be raised principally from combustion of various petroleum products, industrial processes and transport output and their precipitation on surface water.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were included in the priority pollutant list due to their toxic and carcinogenic nature. The concern about water contamination and the consequent human exposure have encouraged the development of new methods for
PAHs detection and removal.
PAHs, the real contaminants of petroleum matter, were detected in selected sites along Tigris River within Baghdad City in summer and winter time, using Shimadzu high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system.
Analysi
The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) I\D gene polymorphism influences the blood ACE enzyme activity. Renoprotective effect of ACE inhibitors (ACEIs) varies among patients due to genetic variation, particularly in Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System genes. This study investigates the genetic variations of ACE I\D and AGT1RA1166C gene polymorphisms in the antiproteinuric effect of ACEI therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. This is a cross-sectional study that included 76 T2DM patients who are ACEI users, divided into two groups: T2DM without diabetic kidney disease (DKD) included 31 patients, and T2DM with DKD included 45 patients. Urine samples were taken for measurement of urine albumin and creatinine, then calcul
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