Sperm DNA OXIDATIVE damage due to free radicals is a major contributing factor in a variety of human diseases, including male infertility. The aim of the present study was to compare the levels of sperm DNA OXIDATIVE damage in infertile (according to WHO criteria) and fertile men. Semen samples were obtained after 3 to 7 days of abstinence from 25 infertile and 23 fertile men who referred to infertility Center of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. After semen analysis, sperm cells were separated from seminal fluid by percoll gradient centrifugation and kept at -20°C for next further analysis. Sperm DNA was extracted and its concentration and purity were determined by UV-spectrophotometer. DNA damage was studied by DNA Chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Analysis of 8 hydroxy Guanine (8-OHG) as a marker of DNA OXIDATIVE damage by GC/MS was shown that rate of basal DNA OXIDATIVE damage in infertile group was 100-fold greater than fertile group. There was also correlation between semen parameter (morphology, motility and sperm count) and DNA OXIDATIVE damage. Result of this study showed that elevation of sperm DNA OXIDATIVE damage could be one of possible reasons for male infertility.

Objective (s): Sepsis can result in severe organ injury by provoking inflammatory cascades and OXIDATIVE stress. Several studies are currently underway to find a drug with anti-inflammatory effects to prevent mortality and morbidity during sepsis. The present study was undertaken to assess the effects of metformin on OXIDATIVE stress and antioxidant status in sepsis induced by the Cecal Ligation and Puncture (CLP) method.Materials and Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (n=10): sham, CLP, and 50 and 100 mg/ kg metformin-treated CLP groups. After 12 hr, blood samples were collected and lung tissue was removed for histopathological study to detect tissue damage and degree of inflammation based on neutrophil infiltration and assay of the OXIDATIVE stress biomarkers superoxide dismutase (SOD), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1).Results: The MPO activity and MDA level were decreased in the metformin-treated groups (P<0.05). Moreover, the groups receiving metformin showed lower inflammation scores than the CLP group (P<0.05). No significant differences in SOD, GPx, or PAI in the different groups were observed. The TAC level was reduced in the CLP group compared to the sham group (P<0.05), and interestingly, this value was reduced even further in the metformin-treated groups (P<0.05 compared with the CLP group).Conclusion: It was concluded that metformin protects lung tissue against sepsis-induced OXIDATIVE damage, and this protective effect may be more related to its anti-inflammatory and reduced neutrophil accumulation and less to its anti-OXIDATIVE properties.

Background: Kidneys are the most vulnerable organs with respect to OXIDATIVE stress caused by lead poisoning. In this study, renal biomarkers were investigated in rats, exposed to lead after treatment with or without Lactobacillus fermentum. Methods: Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups of five each as follows: a) control, b) lead-exposed, c) Lactobacillus fermentum–, treated, and d) rats exposed to lead followed by treatment with L. fermentum. After eight weeks of treatment, the renal biomarkers in blood and antioxidant factors in the kidneys were evaluated. The kidneys were also examined histopathologically for alterations due to lead exposure. Results: In lead-exposed rats, the creatinine, urea, uric acid, malondialdehyde, and tissue lead contents were significantly higher, while catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione levels were lower than those found in the controls. After treatment of lead-exposed rats with L. fermentum, the levels of these factors were significantly lower and the last two factors were higher compared to those of the lead-exposed group. There was no significant change in the level of catalase. The histopathological changes due to lead exposure in these rats decreased after treatment with L. fermentum. Conclusion: The results indicated that L. fermentum reduced the toxic effects of lead on the kidneys, either by potentiating the renal antioxidant system or by removing lead from the treated rats, or both. Further studies are warranted to elucidate the mechanisms by which L. fermentum exerts its anti-lead poisoning effects.

Background: Withania coagulans is a traditional plant that possesses diverse pharmacological characteristics including antihyperglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic, antitumor, anti-infl ammatory, and antioxidant eff ects. Objectives: This study evaluated the eff ect of preischemic administration of Withania coagulans extract (WCE) on antioxidant status and histopathological alteration of the striatum region in rat model of brain global ischemia reperfusion (I/R). Methods: 48 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 12): Control, Sham operated (Sham), I/R, and WCE + I/R. The animals received WCE or distilled water by oral gavage for 30 days before I/R except the control group. I/R was induced by two common carotid obstructions for 30 minutes. Three days following I/R, the animals were sacrifi ced, the brain was removed, and striatum was dissected out. Antioxidant statuses such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were measured and histological alteration was investigated in corpus striatum by Nissl and TUNEL staining. Results: The results showed that the CAT, SOD, and GPx activities decreased and MDA level increased in I/R group compare to the control group. Preischemic administration of WCE signifi cantly decreased MDA level and increased antioxidant statuses in the striatum region compared to I/R group (P < 0. 001). Histopathological analysis revealed that pretreatment with WCE markedly decreased necrotic and apoptotic neurons (P < 0. 001) in striatum and reduced white matter injury induced by I/R. Conclusions: We concluded that WCE by its antioxidant and anti-infl ammatory eff ects could modify ischemia reperfusion damage in rat striatum.

Background and Objectives: Salinization of the central lands of Iran has had limited pistachio cultivation and production during the recent decade. Materials and Methods: In this study, seedlings of Pistacia vera ‘ Akbari’ and ‘ Ghazvini’ , and an interspecific hybrid of P. vera ‘ Ghazvini’ × P. atlantica (G × A) were subjected to different NaCl concentrations (0, 50, 100 and 150 mM) in half strength Hoagland’ s solution for 90 days. Results: Salt stress significantly reduced growth of the plants. The highest and the lowest root volumes were observed in ‘ Akbari’ and G×A respectively. The leaf area of ‘ Akbari’ seedlings was significantly higher than the other genotypes under salt stress. Moreover, salt stress significantly reduced total chlorophylls, membrane stability index, the ratio of chlorophyll: carotenoid and greenness of the leaves. In comparison to the control, the lowest values of the mentioned parameters were observed under 150 mM NaCl stress. By increasing NaCl concentration in the growing medium, concentration of Na significantly increased in shoot and root and significant decrease in K + + and Na 2+ and Ca concentration was observed in the shoot and root. Accordingly, Na + +: K + 2+: Ca ratios in the root and shoot were increased. The lowest Na + + + 2+ : K and Na : Ca ratios were found in G×A. Discussion: According to the capability of preserving vigor, and the lowest leaf abscission and OXIDATIVE DAMAGES under salt stress, pistachio ‘ Akbari’ was introduced as the most salt tolerant genotype among the studied genotypes.

Raising free radicals in root cells and thus increasing ions leakage is from destructive effects of salinity. In order to study the effect of zinc on the some of free radicals’ inhibitor enzymes (Catalase [CAT], Ascorbat Peroxidase [APX]) and decreasing induced DAMAGES of salinity stress by NaCl, in two cultivarsof olive (Olea europea L. ) (Frontoio and Conservollea), this pot experiment conducted, in factorialarrange and completely randomized design in three replication. In this experiment, a one-year seedling oftwo olive cultivars treated with nutrition solutions involved different levels of sodium chloride (0, 40, 80, 120 mM) and zinc (0, 1, 5μ molar) of zinc sulfate (ZnSO4. 7H2O). The results showed that withincreasing of salinity levels decreased root and leaf dry weight and plant height, but increased ion leakageof potassium and zinc in root and activity of CAT and APX enzymes in leaf, as well, using Zn, decreasedion leakage of potassium and zinc; whereas root and leaf dry weight, plant height, CAT and APX activityincreased. Based on the results, the greater the concentration of sulfhydryl groups in roots in Frontoiovariety compared to Conservolea was in acceptance with less leakage of potassium and zinc ions on theFrontoio compared to Conservolea. Therefore, the Frontoio variety was more resistant to salinity incomparison with Conservolea.

Salinity is one of the main stresses that have negative effectcs on seedling growth, and plant production. It inhibits growth of plants through disturbance of the balance between production of ROS and antioxidant defense mechanism which results in OXIDATIVE stress. Because, arginine is a vital regulator of physiological and developmental processes the effect of different concentrations of arginine pretreatment of the plant on alleviation of OXIDATIVE stress induced by salt 50 and 100Mm NaCl was investigated. Arginine pretreatment increased chlorophyll a, b, carotenoid and seedling growth under salinity condition. Results also showed that salt stress increased proline, protein, H2O2, soluble sugar and the activity of ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase and catalase. Pretreatment of plants with Arg reduced proline, soluble sugar, H2O2 and antioxidant enzymes activity content significantly. The conclusion is that in garden cress plants, pretreatment with concentration of 5 mM and 10 mM arginine may protect cress under salinity stress, probably through the contracting with ROS and or induction of anti-OXIDATIVE enzymes.