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Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the protective effects of taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, TAU) on oxidative stress in the isolated mouse testicular mitochondria, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), viability and motility of the exposed sperms to the BPA. Methods: We treated epididymal spermatozoa obtained from mice and isolated mouse testicular mitochondria with BPA (0.8 mmol/mL) and various doses of TAU (5, 10, 30 and 50 µmol/L). We used the MTT assay and Rhodamine 123 uptake to assess sperm viability and MMP. We assessed the oxidative stress through measuring ROS (reactive oxygen species), MDA (malondialdehyde), GSH (glutathione), and SOD (super-oxide dismutase) levels in the testicular mitochondrial tissue. Results: BPA significantly elevated ROS, MDA and MMP levels, and markedly reduced SOD and GSH levels in the isolated mitochondria. BPA also considerably impaired spermatozoa viability and motility. Pretreatment with 30 and 50 µmol/L of TAU could considerably suppressed mitochondrial oxidative stress, enhanced MMP, and improved sperm motility and viability. Conclusion: TAU may attenuate the BPA-induced mitochondrial toxicity and impaired sperm motility via decreasing oxidative stress.

BackgroundRecent studies have demonstrated that many nanoparticles have an adverse or toxic effect on the kidney.ObjectiveTo investigate the nephroprotective effect of quercetin (QT) against renal injury induced by titanium dioxide nanoparticles (NTiO2) in rats.MethodsNTiO2-intoxicated rats received 50 mg/kg of NTiO2 for seven days. The QT + NTiO2 group was pretreated with QT for seven days before being administered NTiO2. Uric acid, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen were considered to be biomarkers of nephrotoxicity. Catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and renal levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured to assess the oxidative stress caused by NTiO2.ResultsNTiO2 significantly increased the plasma level of the biomarkers. It also significantly decreased the activities of CAT (P = 0.008) and SOD (P = 0.004), and significantly increased the MDA levels (P = 0.007). NTiO2 caused proximal tubule damage, the accumulation of red blood cells, the infiltration of inflammatory cells, and reduced the glomerular diameters, as well as induced apoptosis in the proximal tubules. Pre-treatment with QT attenuated the histological changes, normalised the plasma biomarkers, suppressed oxidative stress, ameliorated the activities of CAT (P = 0.007) and SOD (P = 0.006), and reduced apoptosis (P < 0.001).ConclusionQT was found to have a potent protective effect against nephrotoxicity induced by NTiO2 in rats. It also reduced apoptosis caused by NTiO2.

Bio-responsive nanocomposites with facile fabrication and rational design are of great importance in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Herein, the combination of bioimaging due to the presence of QD and controlled drug delivery via nanogel was employed for cancer treatment. To this aim, we fabricated a traceable and bioresponsive fluorescent active nanogel composite by integrating creatinine-functionalized carbon dots (QD) into a lecithin-inulin nanogel. Subsequently, PEGylation and integration of herceptin on the nanogel were carried out to improve the biofate and its ability to target HER2-positive breast cancer. The assessment of cellular uptake demonstrated that this nanogel was effectively internalized by SK-BR-3 cells and the production of reactive oxygen species was significantly boosted. Moreover, the nanogel composite led to high expression of P53 and Bax genes along with a low expression of Bcl-2 gene (as promotors of the apoptosis signaling pathway). The cellular uptake of herceptin was enhanced. It led to inhibiting the proliferation of the breast cancer cells as well as the reduction of viability of SK-BR-3 cancer cells (HER-2 positive) compared with MDA-MB-231 cells (triple-negative). The intraperitoneal injection of the developed formulation to MCF-7 breast cancer cell-bearing BALB/c mice supported the observation of tumor growth inhibition. Overall, herceptin-adorned PEGylated lecithin-inulin nanogel composite can be a promising theranostic candidate for targeting HER-2-positive breast cancer. Graphical Abstract

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is one of the most popular alkylating anticancer drugs despite its toxic side effects, including nephrotoxicity, hematotoxicity, mutagenicity, and immunotoxicity. Capparis spinosa is a multipurpose plant that contains a number of chemically active and diverse secondary metabolites, particularly flavonoids. Rutin and quercetin are two major flavonoids in the caper plant. Objectives: This study was undertaken to investigate the protective effect of Capparis spinosa L. extract on nephrotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide in mice. Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Swiss albino mice (20 -25 g) were randomly divided into five groups with each group consisting of eight mice. Mice were pretreated with C. spinosa extract (CSE) orally in doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg for five consecutive days, and CP (200 mg/kg, ip) was administrated on the fifth day 1 hour after the last dose of extract. The animals were sacrificed on the sixth day. Blood samples were collected to determine the serum creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. The malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) levels were assayed in kidney tissue. The right kidney was maintained in 10% formalin for hematoxylin and eosin staining and histological examination. Results: Different plant parts (fruit, leaves, and petals) were examined for antioxidant activity by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl assay, and leaf extract was used to determine nephroprotective effects. Results showed a significant increase in the levels of MDA, Cr, and BUN and a reduction of GSH by CP administration. Pre-treatment with CSE decreased the levels of MDA, Cr, and BUN. GSH increased in all doses, but the most significant alteration was observed in the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg (P < 0.05). The nephroprotective effect of the CSE was confirmed by the histological examination of the kidneys. Conclusions: Our results indicate that CSE ameliorates biochemical indices and oxidative stress parameters against CP-induced nephrotoxicity.

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