AIMto investigate the effects of crude garlic on adult male rat reproductive functions.

METHODSThirty male rats were divided into five groups: group 1 (untreated) and groups 2, 3, 4 and 5 were fed for 30 days with 5%, 10%, 15% and 30% crude garlic, respectively. Testes and accessory organs were weighed and some markers were assessed. Light and electron microscopy observations were also performed.

RESULTSA significant decrease was observed in the body weight of groups 4 (14%; P < 0.01) and 5 (20%; P < 0.01); of the prostate weight in group 5 (29.1%; P < 0.05) and of seminal vesicle weight in groups 3 (14.4%; P < 0.01), 4 (18.3%; P < 0.01) and 5 (27.3%; P < 0.01). In contrast, testis and epididymis weights were unchanged. In epididymis tissue, the alpha glucosidase activity and the spermatozoa density were unchanged. The treatment resulted in a significant decrease in testosterone serum levels in groups 3 (77.3%; P < 0.01), 4 (77.3%; P < 0.01) and 5 (90.9%; P < 0.01), associated with a significant increase in LH serum levels (P < 0.01). Testicular histology showed a dose-dependent increase in the percentage of empty seminiferous tubules. Moreover, testicular function was affected; a significant decrease in phosphatase acid activity (P < 0.01) and testosterone (P < 0.05) contents were observed.

CONCLUSIONCrude garlic consumption during 1 month reduced testosterone secretion and altered spermatogenesis at 10%, 15% and 30% doses.

Animals ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Epididymis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Garlic ; adverse effects ; Leydig Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Plant Preparations ; pharmacology ; Prostate ; drug effects ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Reproduction ; drug effects ; physiology ; Seminal Vesicles ; drug effects ; physiology ; Sertoli Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Sperm Count ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; physiology ; Testis ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; blood

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Food bolus impaction is the most common form of esophageal foreign body impaction observed in adults. Clinical guidelines recommend using the push technique or retrieval methods in such cases. The push technique can cause injuries in certain clinical situations. Notably, conventional retrieval methods are time and effort consuming. Cap-assisted endoscopic extraction of an impacted food bolus is an easy and effective technique; however, more data are needed for its validation. This study compared the capassisted extraction technique with conventional methods. METHODS: This prospective observational multicenter study compared the success and en bloc removal rates, total procedure time, and adverse events in both techniques.. RESULTS: The study included 303 patients who underwent food bolus extraction. The push technique was used in 87 patients (28.7%) and a retrieval procedure in 216 patients (71.3%). Cap-assisted extraction was performed in 106 patients and retrieval using conventional methods in 110 patients. The cap-assisted technique was associated with a higher rate of en bloc removal (80.2% vs. 15%, p<0.01), shorter procedure time (6.9±3.5 min vs. 15.7±4.1 min, p<0.001), and fewer adverse events (0/106 vs. 9/110, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Cap-assisted extraction showed no adverse events, higher efficacy, and a shorter procedure time compared with conventional retrieval procedures.
Adult ; Foreign Bodies ; Humans ; Methods ; Prospective Studies