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Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a severe complication of rhabdomyolysis (RM), where skeletal muscle injury leads to the release of cell contents into the bloodstream, ultimately obstructing renal tubules. This results in renal dysfunction due to increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Glycerol (10 mL/kg) injection is one of the most common methods to induce experimental AKI; but 10 mL/kg dosage seems to be harmful to rats because we have observed some side effects. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of isoflurane pretreatment in the glycerol model of acute kidney injury, but at first we tried to find a better dosage of glycerol to induce AKI less harmful. Methods: 28 male Wistar rats were used in our investigation. We first studied to find the most effective dosage of glycerol for AKI induction in three groups (5, 6.25, and 10 mL/kg), and accordingly 6.25 mL/kg was selected. Secondly, we investigated isoflurane (1.5%, 20 minutes) pretreatment effects on glycerol-induced AKI by estimating blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), Bax/Bcl-2 proteins ratio (Bcl-2-associated X/B-cell lymphoma 2), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and histological changes in renal tissues. Results: The results showed that isoflurane pretreatment suppressed oxidative stress and apoptosis, and therefore was able to improve renal function. Conclusion: Isoflurane pretreatment might be protective against rhabdomyolysis-induced AKI because of its anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurotoxicity is implicated as a severe complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Accumulation of urea and other toxic compounds leads to oxidative stress, inflammation and destruction of the blood-brain barrier. Carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-proliferative properties. The aims of the present study were evaluated the protective effects of CO-releasing molecule (CORM3) and H2S donor (NaHS) on oxidative stress and neuronal death induced by CKD in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex by considering interaction between CO and H2S on CBS expression. CORM3 or NaHS significantly compensated deficits in the antioxidant defense mechanisms, suppressed lipid peroxidation and reduced neuronal death in hippocampus and prefrontal cortex and improvement the markers of renal injury that induced by CKD. In addition, CORM3 or NaHS significantly improved CBS expression which were reduced by CKD. However, improving effects of CORM3 on antioxidant defense mechanisms, lipid peroxidation, neuronal death, renal injury and CBS expression were prevented by amino-oxy acetic acid (AOAA) (CBS inhibitor) and reciprocally improving effects of NaHS on all above indices were prevented by zinc protoporphyrin IX (Znpp) (HO-1 inhibitor). In conclusion, this study demonstrated that formation of CO and H2S were interdependently improved CKD-induced oxidative stress and neuronal death, which is may be through increased expression of CBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Given some limitations in the efficacy of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) or remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), the present study investigated the beneficial effects of NAC alone or in combination with RIPC on CIN prevention. Methods: Rats were randomly assigned into five groups of eight animals each. Group 1 was shamoperated controls. In group 2, an experimental model of diatrizoate-induced CIN was induced. In groups 3 and 4, NAC (150 mg/kg orally, 24 h before the CIN induction) or RIPC (3 cycles of 4 min/4 min of ischemia and reperfusion in the forelimbs 24 h before the CIN induction) was applied, and both strategies were applied in group 5. 48 hours after the intervention, serum was collected to assess creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Kidney tissue samples were also kept to evaluate the histology and measure malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Results: Considerable increases in serum Cr (0.82±0.04 vs 0.53±0.03 mg/dl) and BUN (49.87±2.85 vs 22.93±1.11 mg/dl) levels in the CIN group showed renal functional damages compared to the sham group. The morphological changes (2 vs 0 score), increased renal MDA levels (8.11±1.27 vs 3.12±0.52 µmol/100 mg tissue), and decreased renal SOD activity (2.29±0.65 vs 27.32±0.98 U/g tissue) in the CIN group represent a remarkable renal injury and oxidative stress compared to the sham group. The individual use of NAC (serum Cr levels: 0.59±0.01 mg/dl; serum BUN levels: 27.24±1.01 mg/dl; morphological changes: 1 score; renal MDA levels: 4.35±0.58 µmol/100 mg tissue; renal SOD activity: 17.24±1.48 U/g tissue) and RIPC (serum Cr levels: 0.60±0.03 mg/ dl; serum BUN levels: 28.78±1.66 mg/dl; morphological changes: 1 score; renal MDA levels: 5.34±0.53 µmol/100 mg tissue; renal SOD activity: 13.11±1.96 U/g tissue) improved all indices above. However, the combination of NAC and RIPC (serum Cr levels: 0.57±0.01 mg/dl; serum BUN levels: 25.32±1.14 mg/dl; morphological changes: 1 score; renal MDA levels: 3.56±0.52 µmol/100 mg tissue; renal SOD activity: 30.54±2.92 U/g tissue) was more effective than other strategies used alone. Conclusion: The combined use of NAC and RIPC may be more useful in preventing CIN than the individual use of possible additive effects through reducing oxidative stress. Introduction: Given some limitations in the efficacy of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) or remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) to prevent contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN), the present study investigated the beneficial effects of NAC alone or in combination with RIPC on CIN prevention. Methods: Rats were randomly assigned into five groups of eight animals each. Group 1 was shamoperated controls. In group 2, an experimental model of diatrizoate-induced CIN was induced. In groups 3 and 4, NAC (150 mg/kg orally, 24 h before the CIN induction) or RIPC (3 cycles of 4 min/4 min of ischemia and reperfusion in the forelimbs 24 h before the CIN induction) was applied, and both strategies were applied in group 5. 48 hours after the intervention, serum was collected to assess creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Kidney tissue samples were also kept to evaluate the histology and measure malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Results: Considerable increases in serum Cr (0.82±0.04 vs 0.53±0.03 mg/dl) and BUN (49.87±2.85 vs 22.93±1.11 mg/dl) levels in the CIN group showed renal functional damages compared to the sham group. The morphological changes (2 vs 0 score), increased renal MDA levels (8.11±1.27 vs 3.12±0.52 µmol/100 mg tissue), and decreased renal SOD activity (2.29±0.65 vs 27.32±0.98 U/g tissue) in the CIN group represent a remarkable renal injury and oxidative stress compared to the sham group. The individual use of NAC (serum Cr levels: 0.59±0.01 mg/dl; serum BUN levels: 27.24±1.01 mg/dl; morphological changes: 1 score; renal MDA levels: 4.35±0.58 µmol/100 mg tissue; renal SOD activity: 17.24±1.48 U/g tissue) and RIPC (serum Cr levels: 0.60±0.03 mg/ dl; serum BUN levels: 28.78±1.66 mg/dl; morphological changes: 1 score; renal MDA levels: 5.34±0.53 µmol/100 mg tissue; renal SOD activity: 13.11±1.96 U/g tissue) improved all indices above. However, the combination of NAC and RIPC (serum Cr levels: 0.57±0.01 mg/dl; serum BUN levels: 25.32±1.14 mg/dl; morphological changes: 1 score; renal MDA levels: 3.56±0.52 µmol/100 mg tissue; renal SOD activity: 30.54±2.92 U/g tissue) was more effective than other strategies used alone. Conclusion: The combined use of NAC and RIPC may be more useful in preventing CIN than the individual use of possible additive effects through reducing oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to investigate whether microinjection of angiotensin II (Ang II) into the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury has any effect on renal oxidative stress and damage through renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). One week before the induction of left renal IR injury, right nephrectomy was performed and a cannula was placed into the right PVN. Rats were then distributed among 4 groups (n = 6); Sham, IR, IR + Ang II, and IR + Ang II + losartan. Renal IR injury was induced by clamping the left renal artery for 45 min followed by 24 h reperfusion. Losartan (0.3 µg) and Ang II (3 ng) were microinjected into the PVN at 20 min and 10 min, respectively, before the induction of IR injury. Ang II increased plasma creatinine, urinary NAG activity, and histological changes, and enhanced RSNA compared with the IR group (p < 0.05). Ang II increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the kidney compared with IR injury. Losartan caused a reduction in plasma creatinine, urinary NAG activity, histological changes, renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), and renal MDA levels, and increased renal SOD activity compared with the IR group (p < 0.05). These data demonstrated that increased RSNA activity, via microinjection of Ang II into the PVN, exaggerated renal IR injury by inducing oxidative stress in the kidney. Key words: ischemia-reperfusion, kidney, hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, angiotensin II, oxidative stress. Resume: Cette etude a ete concue afin d'examiner si la micro-injection d'angiotensine II (Ang II) dans le noyau para- ventriculaire de l'hypothalamus (NPV) lors du dommage d'IR renal exerce un certain effet sur le stress oxydant et les dommages au rein par l'intermediaire de l'activite nerveuse sympathique renale (ANSR) Une semaine avant l'induction d'un dommage d'IR renal gauche, une nephrectomie droite a ete realisee et une canule a ete inseree dans le NPV droit. Les rats ont ete alors repartis en 4 groupes (n = 6): operation factice, IR, IR + Ang II et IR + Ang II + losartan. Le dommage d'IR renal a ete induit par la ligature de l'artere renale gauche pendant 45 min, suivie d'une reperfusion de 24 h. Le losartan (0.3 p.g) et l'Ang II (3 ng) ont ete micro-injectes dans le NPV, respectivement 20 et 10 minutes avant l'induction du dommage d'IR. L'Ang II accroissait la creatinine plasmatique, l'activite urinaire de la NAG et les changements histologiques, et augmentait l'ANSR comparativement au groupe IR (p < 0.05). L'Ang II accroissait les niveaux de MDA et reduisait l'activite de la SOD dans le rein, comparativement au groupe IR. Le losartan reduisait la creatinine plasmatique, l'activite urinaire de la NAG, les changements histopathologiques, l'ANSR et les niveaux de MDA du rein, et accroissait l'activite renale de la SOD comparativement au groupe IR (p < 0.05). Ces donnees demontrent que l'activite accrue de l'ANSR a la suite de la micro-injection d'Ang II dans le NPV amplifiait le dommage d'ischemie- reperfusion renal en induisant un stress oxydant dans le rein. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: ischemie reperfusion, rein, noyau para-ventriculaire de l'hypothalamus, angiotensine II, stress oxidant., Introduction Acute kidney injury (AKI) still has a high mortality rate, despite the technical progress in managing it (Ympa et al. 2005). Renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) that occurs in transplantation, trauma, [...]

Objective(s): Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a common brain dysfunction following sepsis. Due to the beneficial effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy on anxiety, an extreme and early manifestation of SAE, we hypothesized that MSCs-derived conditioned medium (CM) may be able to attenuate anxiety in cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis. Materials and Methods: Rats were assigned into 4 groups: sham, CLP, MSC, and CM. All animals, except in the sham group, underwent the CLP procedure to induce sepsis. Two hours after sepsis induction, the rats in MSC and CM groups, received 1×106 MSCs and CM derived from the same number of cells, respectively. 48 hr after the treatments, anxiety-related behaviors were assessed, and brain and right hippocampal tissues were collected. Results: MSCs and CM enhanced the percentages of open arm entries and time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus-maze and the time spent in the light side of the light-dark box. MSCs and CM decreased the Evans blue content and decreased the IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the brain tissue samples. Reductions in the expression of 5-HT2A receptors and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and an increase in the expression of 5-HT1A receptors in the hippocampal tissue samples were observed in the MSC and CM groups. Conclusion: MSCs and MSCs-derived CM attenuated anxiety-related behaviors to an equal extent by reducing inflammation, modifying 5-HT receptor expression changes, and inhibiting the ERK pathway. Therefore, MSCs-derived CM may be considered a promising therapy for comorbid anxiety in septic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma is one of the most common respiratory diseases in the world. Nevertheless, it is reported that inflammation induced by asthma is not only restricted to the lung and may cause damaging effects on remote organs. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the beneficial effects of long-term sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) administration on lung inflammation and oxidative stress markers to protect the kidney during chronic asthma. BALB/c mice were divided into three groups (n = 5–7): control, asthma and NaHS. Except the control group, sensitization and challenge were performed with ovalbumin. The NaHS group intraperitoneally received 14 μmol/kg NaHS 30 min before each challenge. 24 h after the last challenge, samples of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), plasma, lung and kidney tissues were collected. NaHS administration significantly decreased total white blood cell count, percentages of eosinophils, neutrophils and macrophages and increased percentage of lymphocytes. Administration of NaHS considerably decreased the levels of BALF interleukin-13, plasma tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), lung malondialdehyde (MDA) and lung phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappa B (p-NF-κB) expression and scores of peribronchial inflammatory cell infiltration, goblet cell hyperplasia and subepithelial fibrosis and increased the activity of lung superoxide dismutase (SOD). The MDA levels and expressions of p-ERK1/2 and Bax were decreased and SOD activity and expressions of Bcl-2 and p-Akt were significantly increased in kidney tissues by NaHS administration. Administration of NaHS decreased renal oxidative stress indices and reduced apoptosis by the inhibition of TNF-α/ERK1/2/Bax. Therefore, H2S may have an essential role in renal protection during asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): One of the problems caused by infectious diseases is the decrease in sperm count and motility. Tannic acid is known as an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. In this study, Cecal Ligation and Puncture (CLP) sepsis model was induced to investigate the effect of tannic acid on oxidative stress and inflammation in testicular and sperm structure and function. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were randomly divided into 3 groups of 8: 1) sham, 2) sepsis, and 3) sepsis + tannic acid (20 mg/kg at 6, 12, and 24 hr after sepsis induction). Thirty hours after induction of sepsis, testicular samples were collected to measure SOD activity and MDA, IL-6, and TNF-a levels. Another part of the testis was fixed in 10% formalin for histological examinations. Results: In the sepsis group, testicular MDA, TNF-a, and IL-6 levels increased and SOD activity decreased compared with the sham group. In addition, the percentage of motile sperm and the survival rate of sperm decreased significantly in the sepsis group. Administration of tannic acid significantly decreased inflammatory markers (TNF-a and IL-6) and MDA levels and increased SOD activity. Furthermore tannic acid significantly improved sperm parameters and increased sperm and animal survival rates. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the reproductive system may be strongly affected by the conditions created during sepsis. Tannic acid improved reproductive dysfunction in sepsis by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background No studies have been carried out so far to cover the association between factors related to obesity, in a representative sample of the Iranian elderly population. Methods The data in this investigation were taken from the National Health Survey in Iran, which included 4380 people aged 60 and older. The logistic regression was applied to model the relationship between the odds of obesity and age, sex, education level, place of residence, smoking and marital status. Results Obesity odds ratios were 1.96 (95% CI: 1.53--2.52) for women, 2.16 (95% CI: 1.71--2.72) for the subjects living in urban areas and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.47--0.97) for smokers. Regarding the people aged 60-64 years as the reference group, the obesity odds ratios were 0.86 (95% CI: 0.66--1.10) for ages 65-69 years, 0.75 (95% CI: 0.57--0.97) for ages 70-74 years, 0.43 (95% CI: 0.30--0.60) for ages 75-79 years and 0.36 (95% CI: 0.20--0.63) for ages 80+ years. Using the basic education level as the reference group, obesity odds ratios were 1.38 (95% CI: 1.08-1.76) for the moderate level and 0.92 (95% CI: 0.56- 1.52) for the high level group. Conclusions As the result of findings, we are optimistic that we would be able to contribute to the aged community of the society, which could be achieved by means of better treatments and reductions in the rate of obesity.

Abstract Background The practice of dichotomizing a continuous outcome variable does not make use of within-category information. That means the loss of information. This study compared two approaches in the modelling of the association between sociodemographic and smoking with obesity in adult women in Iran. Methods We conducted a comparative study between two methods via an illustrative example, using data from the "National Health Survey in Iran (NHSI)" database. It included 14176 women aged 20–69 years. At first, body mass index(BMI) was treated as a continuous variable, ORs and 95 per cent confidence intervals were calculated using the "without dichotomizing" method. Then subjects were classified into obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) and nonobese (BMI < 30 kg/m2) and logistic regression model was used to estimate ORs and 95 per cent confidence intervals. Results The odds ratio estimates changed only slightly over the two methods. But the "without dichotomizing" method provided shorter confidence intervals on the odds ratio parameters than dichotomizing method. All relative confidence interval lengths were greater than 1.15. Conclusion If responses are continuous then the "without dichotomizing" method is certainly more useful than the "dichotomizing" method and leads to more precise estimation of odds ratios.

Abstract Background To date, few studies have assessed the association between the number of children and obesity in couples. We aimed to investigate this association in men and women aged 20–75 years. Methods Data from the National Health Survey were considered in this investigation. It included 2728 women and men (1364 couples) aged 20–75 years. Height and weight were actually measured rather than self-reported. A generalized estimating equation model was used to estimate the odds of obesity (body mass index (BMI ≥ 30)) as a function of the number of children adjusted for age, sex, education, economic index, workforce, smoking and place of residence. Results We infer that each additional child has at least 5% and at most 34% increase in the odds of obesity in men and at least 4% and at most 29% increase in the odds of obesity in women. Our test of interaction by sex showed that the association between the number of children and obesity was not different among men and women. Among women, factors that increased obesity included age, low education, having more children, being inactive workforce and being nonsmoker. Among men, these factors included high economic index, low education, having more children, and being nonsmoker. Conclusion Our results show an association between the number of children and obesity among men. We would recommend interventions to reduce the number of children to prevent obesity in men.

Background: Induction of septic shock by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) may lead to acute renal failure. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of sex differences on the effectiveness of low-dose LPS preconditioning (LPS-PC) on LPS-induced acute renal failure in rats. Methods: This study was conducted at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, in 2017. A total of 48 Wistar rats were equally divided into two groups of male and female rats. The rats in each group were then allocated to three groups (n=8 per group), namely control, septic shock, and LPS-PC group. A high dose of LPS was administered for septic shock induction. LPS-PC was induced by injecting LPS before sepsis induction. The effect of sex differences on renal functional indices, renal oxidative stress markers, plasma tumor necrosis factor-α level, and renal histological changes was evaluated. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA followed by Tukey's post hoc test. Results: In the septic shock groups, renal functional parameters (creatinine [Cr] and blood urea nitrogen [BUN]) were increased in both sexes. However, the increase was more significant in male rats (male rats: Cr=2.14±0.13, BUN=81±4.15; female rats: Cr=1.64±0.12, BUN=50±2.7). LPS-PC reduced these indices in both sexes (male rats: Cr=1.24±0.03, BUN=57±4.1; female rats: Cr=0.86±0.02, BUN=30.31±2.25). Renal superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (male rats: 11.54±1.34, female rats: 24.4±2.04) and catalase (CAT) activity (male rats: 15±1.74, female rats: 25.75±1.97) were significantly higher in the female septic group. LPS-PC significantly increased SOD (male rats: 25.7±2.45, female rats: 42.6±3.31) and CAT (male rats: 37.25±2.34, female rats: 59.21±3.29) activities in renal tissue samples in the LPS-PC group in both sexes compared to the septic groups. In the LPS groups, plasma tumor necrosis factor-α (male rats: 375±25.65, female rats: 285.45±25.94) were significantly higher than in the LPS-PC groups (male rats: 250±21.35, female rats: 121±24.14). Conclusion: Male rats were more susceptible to sepsis-induced renal damage. LPS-PC had protective effects on the LPS-induced renal injury, and these effects were most prominent in female rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this study was to assay the testicular H2S levels in the varicocele rat model and then to investigate the protective effects of NaHS on morphometric changes, sperm parameters, oxidative stress and apoptosis markers in rat's testis. D,L‐propargylglycine (PAG) was administrated to show the effects of cystathionine γ‐lyase enzyme (CSE) inhibition in the varicocele. Rats were assigned to four groups: (a) Sham, (b) varicocele, (c) varicocele + PAG and (d) varicocele + NaHS. Animals in varicocele + NaHS group received 30 µmol/L NaHS in drinking water for 56 days. In the varicocele + PAG group, animals received PAG 19 mg/kg twice a week. Morphometric assessment, oxidative stress markers, testicular H2S levels, sperm parameters, TUNEL assay and expression of Bax/Bcl2 were evaluated at the end of experiment. Testicular H2S levels were significantly decreased in varicocele group. NaHS significantly improved sperm parameters, morphometric characteristics and oxidative stress compared to varicocele group. Oxidative stress status deteriorated in the PAG group compared to the varicocele group. This study showed that a low testicular H2S level might play a critical role in male infertility. Thus, NaHS administration may be a promising treatment strategy for male infertility in varicocele. In addition, CSE may not be the only important enzyme in testicular H2S production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Infertility in varicocele may have an adverse outcome on the future life of an infertile male. This study was designed to investigate whether varicocele affects remote organs, including the kidney, liver, and brain. We have also evaluated the protective effects of NaHS administration on the structure and function of these organs. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six rats were randomly assigned to 3 experimental groups: 1) Sham, 2) Varicocele, and 3) Varicocele + sodium hydrosulfide. Varicocele was induced via partial ligation of the left renal veins. Animals in the Varicocele + sodium hydrogen sulfide group received 30 µmol/l NaHS in drinking water for 56 days. On the 57th day of the treatment, blood samples, as well as kidney, liver, and brain tissues, were collected to assess kidney and liver functions, measurement of oxidative stress markers, and histological changes. For evaluation of sperm parameters caudal epididymis was used. The behavioral tests were performed to evaluate the animal's anxiety-related behaviors. Results: Varicocele caused significant decrease in sperm parameters (motility and viability) and superoxide dismutase activity in the kidney, liver, and brain tissue. Anxiety-related parameters decreased in varicocele. Moreover, varicocele resulted in a significant increase in malondialdehyde levels in the kidney, liver and brain tissue, and liver function enzymes. Varicocele did not alter kidney function parameters. The administration of NaHS improves the above parameters. Conclusion: This study showed that notice to remote organs such as the liver and brain beside reproductive organs in varicocele is important. The administration of NaHS improved remote organ injury in varicocele via its anti-oxidant mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Varicocele is defined as the non-palpable enlargement of the spermatic venous plexus, which has implications on the sperm quality and fertility. The guidelines for managing varicocele in adolescents are not fully determined yet. However, based on the recent reports, during varicocele injuries to testicular tissues may be a result of the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the subsequent oxidative damage. The testis has a high metabolism rate and cell replication which itself causes excessive production of the ROS and decreases antioxidant capacity. Massive generation of ROS and their interaction with lipids, proteins and nucleic acids has adverse effects on the normal cell function. This review article describes the varicocele, its etiology, pathophysiological mechanisms and current treatment methods. An electronic search has been conducted, during 2018, via PubMed and Medline database English literature. Peer-reviewed articles were targeted and the following key-words were used: varicocele, diagnosis, etiology, cellular and molecular mechanisms. Available full-text articles were read. Related articles were also scrutinized. A hand search was also driven. Taken together, this review article mention three main pathophysiology of varicocele that can be treated by natural antioxidant. In addition, hydrogen sulfide as another factor was discussed because the reduction of this substance contribute to the male infertility which induce by varicocele. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Comorbidity of anxiety has been reported to aggravate the control of asthma symptoms. Considering the important role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of asthma and anxiety, the present study evaluated whether hydrogen sulfide (H2S) as an antioxidant agent, has anxiolytic effects in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced chronic asthma. Methods: BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=8): control, asthma, NaHS (sodium hydrosulfide, a donor of H2S) and ascorbic acid (as a positive control). All animals except in the control group were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin. Mice in the NaHS group, intraperitoneally received 14μmol/kg NaHS 30min before each challenge. In the ascorbic acid group, 130mg/kg ascorbic acid was given by gavage 30min before each challenge. On the day of the last challenge, animal body weight and anxiety-related behaviors were examined. Results: Asthma caused significant decreases in the percentages of open arm entries and spending time in open arms in the elevated plus maze as well as the spending time in the light side in the light-dark transition. Also, induction of asthma resulted in a significant decrease of the animal body weight. Administration of NaHS as well as ascorbic acid, attenuated anxiety-related behaviors and improved the body weight in asthmatic mice. Conclusion: The current study suggested that NaHS improves anxiety-related behaviors in OVA-induced asthma same as ascorbic acid, a strong antioxidant. Therefore, NaHS appears to be effective for managing the comorbidity of anxiety with asthma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]