mohammad javad fridoni

It is now accepted that scrotal heat stress could adversely affect spermatogenesis. This high thermal condition can cause a reduced male fertility potential. Nowadays, insufficient research exists on the impact of transient scrotal hyperthermia on heat shock proteins 70 and 90 in murine subjects. In the current study, we investigated the effects of scrotal hyperthermia on the expression of heat shock proteins, stereological parameters, and semen quality in mice. 

In this examination, a total of 18 healthy adult male NMRI mice were divided equally into two groups: control and scrotal hyperthermia. Scrotal heat stress was induced by placing the lower parts of mice bodies into the water bath for three consecutive days (43°C, 20 min/day). Then, epididymis and testicular samples were collected for evaluation of sperm parameters, stereological study, mRNA, and protein expression of HSP70 and HSP90. 

Our results revealed that scrotal hyperthermia could strikingly increase the level of mRNA and protein expression of HSP70 and HSP90 in the samples. In addition, stereological parameters and semen quality significantly decreased in transient scrotal hyperthermia-induced mice compared to the control group. 

Our research indicates that transient hyperthermia on the scrotum can lead to increased expression of HSP70 and HSP90 at both mRNA and protein levels, subsequently affecting male fertility.

The effect of selegiline as an oxidase inhibitor on cell differentiation into neuron-like cells has been demonstrated by altering gene expression. Based on the results of studies on the role of statins in neurotrophin regulation, in this study, we examined the effect of lovastatin (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor) on the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal cells (BMSCs) into neuron-like cells. Selegiline isanirreversible inhibitor of monoamineoxidase(MAO)typeB. Sincedopaminein thehumanbrain is metabolized primarily by MAO-B, selegiline increases dopamine levels in the central nervous system. In addition to inhibiting MAO-B, selegiline also inhibits the uptake of dopamine and norepinephrine into presynaptic nerves and increases dopamine turnover.

Bone marrow mesenchymal cells were collected from 28-day-old rats and cultured under standard conditions on the medium. The experimental groups in this study were as follows: BMSCs (control); BMSCs induced with 20Mselegiline for 24 hours (experiment 1); BMSCs induced with 6 Mlovastatin for 24 hours (experiment 2); BMSCs were induced with 20 Mselegiline for 24 hours and 6 M lovastatin for the next 24 hours (experiment 3). Real-time RT-PCR was performed to determine the mRNA levels of the nestin and NF-68 genes.

Real-time RT-PCR results showed that nestin and NF-68 mRNA levels were significantly increased in the co-treatment group (experiment 3) compared to the other experimental groups (P < 0.05).

Based on the increased expression of nestin and NF-68 genes, the presence of lovastatin has a synergistic effect on neuronal differentiation and optimization of stem cell therapeutic approaches.

Uncontrolled stress affects hippocampal-dependent memory through altering the morphology and the proliferation rate of the hippocampal progenitor cells.

In this experimental study, neural stem cells (NSCs) derived from rat hippocampus were extracted and cultured to produce neutrospheres in a serum-free environment. Nestin antibody was used to identification the induced NSCs. Cell proliferation and cytotoxicity due to the effect of norepinephrine were measured by MTT assay. NSCs were assigned in the following experimental groups: Control (untreated), NE (treated with norepinephrine), Pro (pretreated with beta-blocker propranolol then norepinephrine), Pra (pretreated with alfa-blocker prazosin then norepinephrine), and Syn (pretreated with propranolol and prazosin then norepinephrine). Real-time RT-PCR was conducted to quantify mRNA levels of the Stk4, Caspase-3 and Sox2.

The flow cytometry analysis revealed that NSCs were nestin positive. Real-time RT-PCR results showed that gene expression levels of Sox2 mRNA was increased via norepinephrine. Also, gene expression levels of Stk4 and Caspase-3 were increased in the group that pretreated with prazosin.

Taken together, the effect of norepinephrine on hippocampus-derived neural stem cells is receptor-dependent and, increase of norepinephrine under chronic stress can lead to the either proliferation or apoptosis in the NSCs, as a double-edged sword.