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Skin aging is associated with both intrinsic and extrinsic aging, with extrinsic aging caused by environmental factors and overlaying the effects of chronological aging. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of preparations containing Helix aspersa snail mucus on skin regeneration with photoaging features. Before and 3 months after the series of treatments, skin biopsy specimens from the right preauricular region of the face were taken from six women. Histological, morphometric, and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. Positive changes, indicating a reduction in photoaging related to the reduction in epidermis thickness 3 months after the end of the treatments, were noted in each group. A statistically significant increase in the thickness of the collagen fiber bundles was also observed in the patients 3 months after a series of micro-needle mesotherapy treatments with snail mucus and 0.9% NaCl. There was a significant increase in the immuno-expression of Ki-67 and PCNA in the dermis. The aforementioned significance applies to patients in whom snail mucus was introduced with the use of micro-needle mesotherapy and needle-free mesotherapy. Moreover, a statistically significant increased area with the immunoexpression of MMP-2 in the dermis was observed in the above-mentioned groups of patients, who were treated with the preparation containing snail filtrate. The results of the study suggest that the use of snail mucus preparations for skincare, as well as its introduction by micro-needle and needleless mesotherapy, had a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low sperm motility, one of the common causes of male infertility, is associated with abnormal sperm quality. Currently, important sperm/semen biomarkers are sperm chromatin status and oxidation‒reduction potential (ORP) in semen. Because the association between sperm motility and these biomarkers is still not fully clarified, our study was designed to verify the distribution and risk of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) and oxidative stress in semen in asthenozoospermic men. Materials and methods: This study was carried out on discharged sperm cells of asthenozoospermic men (isolated asthenozoospermia or coexisted with reduced sperm number and/or morphology), nonasthenozoospermic men (reduced total sperm count and/or sperm morphology) (experimental groups) and normozoospermic men (proven and presumed fertility) (control group). Basic semen analysis was evaluated according to the 6th edition of the World Health Organization manual guidelines. SDF was assessed using the sperm chromatin dispersion test, while static(s) ORP in semen was measured by means of a MiOXSYS analyser. Results: The men from the asthenozoospermic group had lower basic semen parameters than those from the control and nonasthenozoospermic groups. In men with poor sperm motility SDF and sORP, prevalence and risk for > 20% SDF (high level of DNA damage) and for > 1.37 sORP (oxidative stress) were significantly higher than those of control and nonasthenozoospermic subjects. The risk for sperm DNA damage and oxidative stress in asthenozoospermic men was over 10‐fold higher and almost 6‐fold higher than those in control subjects and almost or over 3‐fold higher than those in nonasthenozoospermic men. Conclusions and discussion: Poor human sperm motility coexisted with low basic sperm quality. Sperm DNA damage and oxidative stress in semen were much more frequent in asthenozoospermia. These abnormalities can decrease the sperm fertilizing capability under both natural and medically assisted reproduction conditions. Thus, in asthenozoospermia, the evaluation of sperm chromatin status and oxidation–reduction potential in semen is justified and inevitable, and the appropriate antioxidant therapy can be suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The impairment of male fertility, identified in epidemiological studies in recent decades, may be associated with increasing exposure to environmental factors, among which heavy metals, especially lead (Pb), have a unique role due to their prevalence and toxicity. The aim ofthe study was to determine the effect of Pb on the epididymis, an organ in which spermatozoa reach maturity and acquire the ability to fertilize an egg. In particular, it was investigated whether low blood Pb levels could adversely affect the pro-oxidant/antioxidant balance in rat epididymides. Materials and methods: The intensity of oxidative stress was measured by changes in lipid peroxidation (by chemiluminis-cence method), as well as in protein expression and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Additionally, it was investigated whether the toxic effects of Pb could be alleviated by the simultaneous administration of the antioxidants - tocopherol (vitamin E) or its water-soluble counterpart Trolox. Results: Chronic exposure to Pb resulted in increased lipid peroxidation in the epididymis (manifested by a marked intensification in chemiluminescence from the caput and cauda epididymis). Significantly, when Pb-treated rats were also supplemented with Trolox or tocopherol, the increase in chemiluminiscence intensity was significantly lower, which indicated the beneficial effect of these antioxidants on reduction of Pb-induced oxidative stress. However, a direct beneficial effect of supplementation on the activity and expression of SOD and CAT was not demonstrated. The activity and expression of SOD was not affected by exposure to Pb or to simultaneous administration of antioxidants. The use of tocopherol and Trolox had also no beneficial effect on the Pb-induced reduction in the activity and expression of CAT. Conclusions: The environmental Pb-exposure leading to metal accumulation in whole blood at concentrations below the "threshold level" (5 µg/dL) may cause disruption in the prooxidant/ antioxidant balance in rat epididymides containing epididymal spermatozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photo‐cross‐linked polymers have attracted a lot of attention in the biomedical field. The main benefits of these materials are related to the fact that they are most of the time viscous liquids or pastes that adapt a custom and fixed shape on demand of the user. Present study deals specifically with the biological response upon subcutaneous implantation of four different materials in rabbits. In the study 20 rabbits were divided into four groups (each five rabbits): Groups 1–3 were implanted with tested new obtained by us macromonomers (P1838‐DMA; P1838‐UR; PDEGA‐UR – respectively), while group 4 (control) was implanted with the mesh (PLA) routinely used for surgical treatment of a hernia. The new compounds were polarized earlier using ultraviolet radiation to obtain cross‐linked networks. The polymers in the form of discs were then implanted subcutaneously in dorsal region of rabbits. After 28 days polymers were explanted and examined. Microscopic observation evaluated: thickness of the connective tissue capsule around the discs, cells of inflammatory response, disc surface erosion, spectroscopic analysis. The examined materials cause no chronic inflammation, abscesses or tissue necrosis, and the biological response is similar to observed in control group. Therefore, new synthetic materials could be considered as biocompatible and safe. Materials undergo slow degradation of ester bonds and surface erosion and degradation products could be eliminated probably by phagocytosis. On the basis on the afore mentioned knowledge, we formulated hypothesis, that the new polymers are well tolerated by the adjacent tissues. The aim of the following study was to examine reaction of the tissue on new types of prepolymerized material implanted subcutaneously. The obtained results suggest, that the new UV cross‐linked polymers do not affect negatively on the connective tissue that is in the contact with the implants. Furthermore, the used materials are in the liquid form, thus they could be easily performed in in minimally invasive laparoscopic treatment of abdominal hernias. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1889–1897, 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The benefits of antioxidants on human health are usually ascribed to their potential ability to remove reactive oxygen species providing protection against oxidative stress. In this paper the free radicals scavenging activities of nine 6-methyl 3-chromonyl derivatives (CMs) were evaluated for the first time by the chemiluminescence, electron paramagnetic resonance, spin trapping and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH•) methods. The total antioxidant capacity was also measured using a ferric-ferrozine reagent. Compounds having a hydrogen atom at the N3-position of the β-ring were effective in quenching CL resulted from the KO2/18-crown-6-ether system (a source of superoxide anion radical [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Genistein and daidzein are typical soy isoflavones with known estrogenic properties to provide protection against skin ageing in postmenopausal women and female rats. However their effect on male skin was very rarely studied., Aim: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of a mixture of genistein and daidzein on male rats' skin., Material and Methods: Male rats were administered this mixture in a dose of 2 or 20 mg/kg body weight (bw) per day for 5 days weekly mixed with regular rat chow, from prenatal life until sexual maturity. The female and male rats of the control group received regular rat chow. The skin epidermis thickness, number of fibroblasts in the dermis and diameter of collagen fibers in the dermis were measured using morphometric assay. The isoflavone effects on activities of antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxides, and glutathione concentration in the skin were measured with commercially available kits., Results: The thickness of the skin epidermis and collagen fibers in the dermis and amount of elastic fibers were significantly greater in the isoflavone-treated groups. Isoflavones significantly decreased catalase activity in the skin homogenates and at a higher dose inhibited lipid peroxides formation., Conclusions: Our results provide further support for the contribution of isoflavones to defence mechanisms against oxidative stress in the skin and suggest that genistein and daidzein supplementation may provide protection against skin ageing in males., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2019 Termedia.)

The complex structure of human skin and its physicochemical properties turn it into an efficient outermost defence line against exogenous factors, and help maintain homeostasis of the human body. This role is played by the epidermal barrier with its major part - stratum corneum. The condition of the epidermal barrier depends on individual and environmental factors. The most important biophysical parameters characterizing the status of this barrier are the skin pH, epidermal hydration, transepidermal water loss and sebum excretion. The knowledge of biophysical skin processes may be useful for the implementation of prophylactic actions whose aim is to restore the barrier function.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play in the male reproductive system important physiological functions in cell signaling, spermatogenesis and sperm maturation in epididymis. The influence of various factors, e.g. environmental, could be the reason for oxidative stress. This can lead to the exposure of cells to the toxic effects of many oxidants such as O•⁻₂, O₃, H₂O₂, •OH. The source of ROS may be spermatozoa, which also, due to the composition of the cytoplasmic membrane lipids and great amount of mitochondria are particularly susceptible to oxidative damage. Oxidative stress can damage their membranes, DNA, inhibit sperm motility and reduce their fertilization ability. This dual effect of ROS confirms the unique role of antioxidant enzymes (such as SOD, CAT and GPX) and non-enzymatic (e.g. GSH, vitamins A, E, C, transferrin) responsible for maintaining adequate levels of ROS in the male reproductive system.

The benefits of antioxidants on human health are usually ascribed to their potential ability to remove reactive oxygen species providing protection against oxidative stress. In this paper the free radicals scavenging activities of nine 6-methyl 3-chromonyl derivatives (CMs) were evaluated for the first time by the chemiluminescence, electron paramagnetic resonance, spin trapping and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH(•)) methods. The total antioxidant capacity was also measured using a ferric-ferrozine reagent. Compounds having a hydrogen atom at the N3-position of the β-ring were effective in quenching CL resulted from the KO2 /18-crown-6-ether system (a source of superoxide anion radical, O2•¯) in a dose-dependent manner over the range of 0.05-1 mmol/L [IC50 ranged from 0.353 (0.04) to 0.668 (0.05) mmol/L]. The examined compounds exhibited a significant scavenging effect towards hydroxyl radicals (HO(•) HO(•)), produced by the Fenton reaction, and this ranged from 24.0% to 61.0%, at the concentration of 2.5 mmol/L. Furthermore, the compounds examined were also found to inhibit DPPH(•) and this ranged from 51.9% to 97.4% at the same concentration. In addition, the use of the total antioxidant capacity assay confirmed that CM compounds are able to act as reductants. According to the present study, CM compounds showed effective in vitro free radical scavenging activity and may be considered as potential therapeutics to control diseases of oxidative stress-related etiology., (Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)