Background:Human and animal evidence suggests that environmental toxicants may have an adverse impact on male reproductive health, reducing the population's reproductive output. Owing to the renewed attraction for natural products, some of them constitute effective alternatives to mitigate these effects. Propolis is a candidate for this use because of its intrinsic properties. In many situations, it improved the testicular damage and alleviated the toxic effects induced by environmental contaminant exposure.Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate possible alterations of testicular parameters and certify if its use is really advantageous to the testis, since this could affect rat reproductive function.Materials and Methods:Forty-eight adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (Co = control, T1 = 3 mg propolis/kg/day, T2 = 6 mg/kg/day, T3 = 10 mg/kg/day) and were exposed during 56 days. The testes were assessed with morphometrical, stereological, and ultrastructural analyses. Cell proliferation and death were diagnosed, respectively, by immunocytochemistry. Connexin 43 (Cx43) and N-cadherin transcript levels were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.Results:Increased cell proliferation and Leydig cell volume were observed in T2, and in contrast, Cx43 upregulation and cell death were observed in T3. Both T2 and T3 showed ultrastructural abnormalities in testicular parenchyma.Conclusion:We recommend a cautious intake of propolis to avoid deleterious effects.SUMMARY Chronic intake of Brazilian green propolis induced N.-cadherin downregulation and decreased on seminiferous tubule volumeIncrease on connexin 43 expression and cell death and decrease in Leydig cell.(LC) number/testis with the concentration of 10 mg/kg/day were observedIncrease on cell proliferation, cytoplasmic proportion, and volume of LC with the concentration of 6 mg/kg/day was detectedThe presence of empty spaces between spermatids and malformed spermatozoa in the lumen of seminiferous tubule was showedThis male reproductive disruption can be linked to phenolic compounds present in Brazilian green propolis. Abbreviation Used: AEC: 3-amino-9-ethylcarbazole; AJ: Adherens junction; AME: Aromadendrin-40-methyl ether; CAPE: Caffeic acid phenethyl ester; Co: Control group; C×43: Connexin 43; DAB: Diaminobenzidine; dNTP: Deoxyribonucleotide phosphate; DSP: Daily sperm production; FA: Ferulic acid; FSH: Follicle-stimulating hormone; GJ: Gap junction; GJIC: Gap junction intercellular communication; HPLC: High-performance liquid chromatography; LC: Leydig cell; LH: Luteinizing hormone; N-cad: N-cadherin; PCNA: Proliferating cell nuclear antigen; PCR: Polymerase chain reaction; RT-PCR: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction; SDM: Standard deviation of mean; T1: Group exposed to 3 mg of propolis/kg/day; T2: Group exposed to 6 mg of propolis/kg/day; T3: Group exposed to 10 mg of propolis/kg/day; TUNEL: Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling; WB-ras 2 cells: Ras-transformed rat l...

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de dietas com amidos resistentes na prevenção da ocorrência e/ou gravidade da colite pseudomembranosa de animais tratados com e sem o antibiótico tetraciclina. O experimento foi realizado com 20 ratos wistar fêmeas, divididos em quatro grupos que receberam diferentes dietas: amido pré-gelatinizado com 9,5% de amido resistente; amido pré-gelatinizado com 9,5% de amido resistente e tetraciclina; amido pré-gelatinizado e amido resistente com 18,1% de amido resistente e amido pré-gelatinizado e amido resistente com 18,1% de amido resistente e tetraciclina. O peso, consumo de ração e água foram monitorados durante 21 dias e realizado análise de colesterol total, triglicerídeos e glicogênio hepático, muscular e cardíaco. Foi realizado análise histológica de coloração pela hematoxilina-eosina e pelo ácido periódico de Schiff do intestino grosso dos animais. Os resultados demonstraram alterações na citoarquitetura do colo intestinal dos animais, que variaram de acordo com o tratamento a que foram submetidos, mostrando desde atrofia da mucosa nos animais que receberam tetraciclina, a formação de edema e congestionamento de vasos na submucosa nos animais alimentados com 18,1% de amido resistente e a presença de debris celulares na luz do órgão e perda da bordadura em escova quando este foi associado a tetraciclina, demonstrando modificações na absorção e no funcionamento intestinal dos animais, o que contribui para a perda de homeostasia do órgão.