AIMTo evaluate the possible antifertility activity of Sarcostemma acidum (Roxb) Voigt. stem extract in male rats.

METHODMale rats were given 70% methanol extract of S. acidum stem orally at dose levels of 50 and 100 mg/kg/day for 60 days. Fertility was evaluated with mating test. Sperm motility and sperm density in cauda epididymides were also assessed. Biochemical and histological analyses were performed on blood samples and on the reproductive organs.

RESULTSS. acidum stem extract resulted in an arrest of spermatogenesis without any systemic side effect. Sperm motility as well as sperm density was reduced significantly. Treatment caused a 80% reduction in fertility at the 50 mg dose and complete suppression of fertility at the 100 mg dose. There was no significant change in RBC and WBC count, hemoglobin, haematocrit, sugar and urea in the whole blood and cholesterol, protein and phospholipid in the serum. The protein and glycogen content of the testes, fructose in the seminal vesicle and protein in epididymides were significantly decreased. Cholesterol in the testes was elevated. Treatment at both of the doses caused a marked reduction in the number of primary spermatocytes (preleptotene and pachytene), secondary spermatocytes and spermatids. The number of mature Leydig cells was decreased, and degenerating Leydig cells was increased proportionately.

CONCLUSIONS. acidum stem extract arrests spermatogenesis in male rats without noticable side effects.

Animals ; Blood Cell Count ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Cholesterol ; metabolism ; Contraceptive Agents, Male ; pharmacology ; Glycogen ; metabolism ; Leydig Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Phospholipids ; blood ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatids ; drug effects ; Spermatocytes ; drug effects ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects

OBJECTIVEToxic metal ions have been implicated in the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO). Metallothionines (MT) and plant flavonoids have been reported in the intervention against oxidative damage. We investigated the effect of zinc induced MT and green tea polyphenol (GTP) in reducing the oxidative responses induced by nickel and platinum.

METHODSZinc (10 mg/kg b. wt, sc) was administered to rats twice at a gap of 24 hrs and GTP (10 mg/100 mL in drinking water) was fed ad libitum for 8 days. Nickel chloride (150 umol/kgb.wt, ip) and cisplatin (50 mumol/kg b.wt, sc) was administered to rats 24 h after Zn or GTP pre-treatment. Animals of all the groups were sacrificed 16 hrs after treatment and biochemical markers for toxicity were monitored.

RESULTSZinc or GTP pre-treatment caused significant protection against nickel or cisplatin enhanced mortality in rats, and reduction in lipid peroxidation and NO.

CONCLUSIONIt is proposed that inhibition of ROS and NO by GTP and zinc may prove useful as a selective pharmacological agent in the amelioration of metal toxicity.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Biomarkers ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Flavonoids ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Free Radical Scavengers ; pharmacology ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Metallothionein ; metabolism ; Mortality ; Nickel ; administration & dosage ; toxicity ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Phenols ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Polyphenols ; Rats ; Tea ; chemistry ; Time Factors ; Zinc ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study. PURPOSE: To study the efficacy of augmented fixation for anatomical reduction of grade 2 and grade 3 listhesis in patients with osteoporosis. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Spondylolisthesis in osteoporotic patients requiring spinal fixation are associated with complications such as loss of surgical construct stability, screw pulling out, and screw loosening. Augmented fixation is a novel strategy to achieve necessary construct integrity. METHODS: Thirteen consecutive patients with grade 2 or grade 3 listhesis, with proven osteoporosis on dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan, and who underwent augmented fixation for reduction of listhesis were retrospectively analyzed. In all patients, surgical access was achieved with a fixed 22 mm tubular retractor. A modified technique of bilateral, sequential, transforaminal decompression and discectomy, followed by reduction of listhesis using unilaterally placed augmented screws was employed in all the cases. Patients were followed up with plain X-rays at regular intervals to assess for implant stability and fusion status. All patients were started on medical treatment for osteoporosis. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 52.46 years, with 12 females and one male. The median T-score on DEXA scan was −3.0. Of the 13 patients, listhesis was at L4–L5 in five and at L5–S1 in eight. Nine patients had grade 2 listhesis, while four patients had grade 3 listhesis. Complete reduction was achieved in 10 patients. The median duration of follow-up was 18 months. Postoperative outcomes were satisfactory in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Augmented fixation is a useful technique for achieving anatomical reduction of listhesis in patients with osteoporosis.
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Decompression ; Diskectomy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures ; Osteoporosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; Spondylolisthesis