Background: The current study assessed the protective role of N-acetyl-L-Cysteine in alleviating the detrimental effect of nicotine on reproductive functions in male rats. Methods: twenty four adult male albino rats were divided into four groups of six rats. Control group was treated orally with 0.5ml/kg normal saline, nicotine treated group received 1.0 mg/kg of nicotine i.p, N-acetyl-L-Cysteine treated group received 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg i.p for four weeks. Results: Nicotine caused significant reduction in serum level of total antioxidant, testosterone and luteinizing hormone. It also caused a significant reduction in sperm count. There was impairment in testicular histology of rats treated with nicotine. N-acetyl-L-Cysteine improved the reduction in sperm count, hormone levels and testicular alterations observed in nicotine treated rats. Conclusion: The study shows that nicotine exerts significant deleterious effects on male reproductive system and the concurrent administration of N-acetyl-L-Cysteine ameliorated these detrimental effects.

Background: Valproate is a broad spectrum anti-convulsant drug used to control all types of seizures. Inspite of its effectiveness in the management of epilepsy, valproate induces skeletal and neurological malformations when used by the pregnant women. Folic acid is an essential nutrient required for normal cell development and metabolism. We aimed in our work to evaluate the possible protective role of folic acid against the valproate-induced skeletal and neurological congenital malformations. Methods: This experiment was done in the animal house in the Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University using ninety adult mice "Sixty females and thirty males''. The histopathological procedures were done in Histology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University. Results: Valpeoate produced numerous neurological and skeletal congenital anomalies in mice fetuses when given to the pregnant females. The concomitant administration of folic acid ameliorated the teratogenic effects of valproate. Conclusions: Folic acid is effective in prevention of the neurological and skeletal congenital malformations induced by valproate.

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This study aimed to investigate the effect of L-carnitine (L-car) supplementation on methotrexate (MTX) related ovarian dysfunction. Fifty female albino rats weighing 200 -250 g were randomly divided into five groups (10 rats each); the duration of the experiment was four weeks. Control group received saline (IP). MTX group received 1 mg/kg (IP) once weekly for four weeks. Whereas, MTX+L-car50, MTX+L-car100 and MTX+folic acid groups: daily received either L-car (50 or 100 mg/kg) or folic acid 250 µg/kg respectively (orally) plus 1 mg/kg methotrexate (IP) once weekly for four weeks. Treatment of the rats with MTX produced a significant decrease in body and ovarian weights, ovarian index, serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH). However, serum total oxidant status (TOS), Oxidative stress index (OSI), ovarian tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and caspase-3 levels were significantly increased. Besides, there were histological abnormalities in the ovarian tissues with a significant increase in antral follicles count (AFC). Administration of either L-car (50 or 100 mg/kg) or folic acid corrected the abnormal biochemical parameters and improved the histopathological abnormalities and AFC. These data suggested that L-car might protect against MTX-induced ovarian dysfunction in female rats through antioxidant, anti-apoptotic effects and improving the ovarian reserve.

Melatonin (MEL) has potent antioxidant and tissue-protective effects against oxidative stress, so it attracted scientific attention. This study evaluated the effects of MEL on acute pancreatitis (AP) in male rats. Blood samples were collected for assessment of lipid profile, amylase, and lipase activity. Inflammatory cytokines, caspase-3, lipid peroxidation products (MDA), as well as the levels of the antioxidants, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reduced glutathione (GSH), were measured in pancreatic tissue. AP was proven by histopathological evaluation and by serum elevation of amylase and lipase enzymes. MEL significantly minimized histological alterations of AP, diminished serum amylase, and lipase activity, and improved lipid profile. MEL dramatically reduced MDA levels, stopped the onset of oxidative stress, and maintained SOD, CAT, GPx, and GSH levels in the pancreas of AP rats demonstrating its antioxidant capacity. Additionally, MEL halted the rise in proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β. Furthermore, MEL enhanced the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 indicating its antiinflammatory effect. Finally, it played a cytoprotective role by preventing apoptosis through decreasing elevated levels of caspase-3 and keeping cell viability. In conclusion, MEL has protective effects on the pancreas which are attributed to its anti-hyperlipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects as well as its anti-inflammatory properties.