Effect of gamma irradiation on phenol content,antioxidant activity and biological activity of black maca and red maca extracts (Lepidium meyenii walp)

This study was performed to determine the effects of gamma irradiation on UV spectrum on maca, total content of polyphenols, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging activities and in vivo biological activities of red and black maca extracts (Lepidium meyenii).

Adult mice of the strain Swiss aged 3 months and weighing 30–35?g in average were used to determine biological activities. Daily sperm production, effect on testosterone-induced prostate hyperplasia and forced swimming test were used to determine the effect of irradiation on biological activities of maca extracts.

Irradiation did not show differences in UV spectrum but improves the amount of total polyphenols in red maca as well as in black maca extracts. In both cases, black maca extract has more content of polyphenols than red maca extract (p?<?0.01). Gamma irradiation significantly increased the antioxidant capacity (p?<?0.05).

No difference was observed in daily sperm production when irradiated and nonirradiated maca extract were administered to mice (p?>?0.05). Black maca extract but not red maca extract has more swimming endurance capacity in the forced swimming test. Irradiation of black maca extract increased the swimming time to exhaustion (p?<?0.05). This is not observed with red maca extract (p?>?0.05). Testosterone enanthate (TE) increased significantly the ventral prostate weight. Administration of red maca extract in animals treated with TE prevented the increase in prostate weight. Irradiation did not modify effect of red maca extract on prostate weight (p?>?0.05).

In conclusion, irradiation does not alter the biological activities of both black maca and red maca extracts. It prevents the presence of microorganisms in the extracts of black or red maca, but the biological activities were maintained.     

The transillumination technique as a method for the assessment of spermatogenesis using medicinal plants: the effect of extracts of black maca (Lepidium meyenii) and camu camu (Myrciaria dubia) on stages of the spermatogenic cycle in male rats

Abstract

Transillumination technique for assessment of stages of spermatogenic cycle is a useful tool for toxicological studies. This study was designed to determine the effect of two medicinal plants on spermatogenesis in male rats using the transillumination technique. For this, the effect of the combination of a fruit with highest content of ascorbic acid (Myrciaria dubia, camu camu) and extract of black maca (Lepidium meyenii) on seminiferous tubule stages scored by transillumination on intact tubules in adult male rats was assessed. Animals were treated during seven days with vehicle, black maca, camu camu or a mixture of black maca?+?camu camu and assessed for daily sperm production (DSP), stages of spermatogenic cycle as well as antioxidant activity and levels of flavonoids and polyphenols. Black maca increased stages of spermiation (VII–VIII) and mitosis of germ cells (IX–XI), whereas camu camu increased stages of mitosis (IX–XI) and meiosis (XII). Mixture of maca?+?camu camu increased stages of spermiation, mitosis and meiosis. All treatments increased DSP (p?<?0.05) and epididymal sperm count (p?<?0.05). Total polyphenols, flavonoids levels and antioxidant activity were higher in camu camu (p?<?0.001) than in black maca. In conclusion, M. dubia (camu camu) has potential effects improving spermatogenesis and co-administered with maca increase stages of mitosis, meiosis and spermiation of the spermatogenic cycle as assessed by the transillumination technique. This technique is becoming increasingly a useful tool for assessment spermatogenesis.     

Comparison of the effects of bisphenol a alone and in a combination with X‐irradiation on sperm count and quality in male adult and pubescent mice

Bisphenol A (BPA) is employed in the manufacturing of epoxy, polyester‐styrene, and polycarbonate resins, which are used for the production of baby and water bottles and reusable containers, food and beverage packing, dental fillings and sealants. The study was designed to examine the effects of 8‐week exposure (a full cycle of spermatogenesis) to BPA alone and in a combination with X‐irradiation on the reproductive organs and germ cells of adult and pubescent male mice. Pzh:Sfis male mice were exposed to BPA (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) or X‐rays (0.05 Gy) or to a combination of both (0.05 Gy + 5 mg/kg bw BPA). The following parameters were examined: sperm count, sperm motility, sperm morphology, and DNA damage in male gametes. Both BPA and X‐rays alone diminished sperm quality. BPA exposure significantly reduced sperm count in pubescent males compared to adult mice, with degenerative changes detected in seminiferous epithelium. This may suggest a higher susceptibility of germ cells of younger males to BPA action. Combined BPA with X‐ray treatment enhanced the harmful effect induced by BPA alone in male germ cells of adult males, whereas low‐dose irradiation showed sometimes protective or additive effects in pubescent mice. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 29: 1301–1313, 2014.     

Effect of polymeric black tea polyphenols on benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P]-induced cytochrome P4501A1 and 1A2 in mice

The chemopreventive activity of green tea polyphenols (GTPs) is, in part, due to modulation of cytochrome P450s (CYPs). To investigate the enzyme modulatory properties of major black tea polyphenols, the effect of decaffeinated black tea extract (DBTE) or polymeric black tea polyphenol (PBP) mix was studied on CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 in mouse tissues. Animals receiving 2.5% DBTE or 1% PBP mix or drinking water (15 days) were challenged with single oral benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) (1?mg/mouse) treatment on the 14th day. Liver and lung microsomes isolated after 24?h were analysed for CYP1A1 and CYP1A2, using biochemical substrate(s) and Western blot analysis. Treatment with 2.5% DBTE or 1% PBP mix did not significantly alter the basal activity and level of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2, whereas pretreatment with 2.5% DBTE or 1% PBP mix resulted in a significant decrease in both the activity and the level of B(a)P-induced CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 in liver and lungs. The PBP mix possesses enzyme modulatory properties exhibited by monomeric GTPs.     

Association of serum levels of p,p’- Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) with type 2 diabetes in African American and Caucasian adult men from agricultural (Delta) and non-agricultural (non-Delta) regions of Mississippi

Epidemiological associations were reported in several studies between persistent organochlorine organic pollutants and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). Mississippi is a highly agricultural state in the USA, particularly the Delta region, with previous high usage of organochlorine (OC) insecticides such as p,p’- dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). In addition, there is a high proportion of African Americans who display elevated prevalence of T2D. Therefore, this State provides an important dataset for further investigating any relationship between OC compounds and metabolic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess whether soil and serum levels of OC compounds, such as p,p’- dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE), arising from the heavy historical use of legacy OC insecticides, might serve as an environmental public health indicator for T2D occurrence. Soil samples from 60 Delta and 60 non-Delta sites randomly selected were analyzed for the presence of OC compounds. A retrospective cohort study of adult men (150 from each region) was recruited to provide a blood sample for OC compound quantitation and select demographic and clinical information including T2D. Using multivariable logistic regression, an association was found between increasing serum DDE levels and T2D occurrence in non-Delta participants (those subjects with lower serum DDE levels), as opposed to Delta participants (individuals with higher serum DDE levels). Thus, while there was a relationship between serum DDE levels and T2D in those with lower burdens of DDE, the lack of association in those with higher levels of DDE indicates a complex non-monotonic correlation between serum DDE levels and T2D occurrence complicating the goal of finding a public health marker for T2D.

Abbreviations: BMI, body mass index; CVD, cardiovascular disease; CDC, Center for Disease Control, United States of America; DDE, p,p’- dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene; DDT, p,p’- dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane; GC/MS, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry; GIS, geographic information system; GPS, global positioning system; HDL, high-density lipoprotein; HTN, hypertension; IDW, inverse distance weighting; IRB, Institutional Review Board; LDL, low-density lipoprotein; LOQ, limit of quantitation; NHANES, National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys; POPs, persistent organic pollutants; OC, organochlorine; PCB, polychlorinated biphenyl; SIM, single-ion monitoring; T2D, type 2 diabetes mellitus; USA, United States of America.     

Baseline characteristics and interim (3-month) efficacy and safety data from STELLA-LONG TERM,a long-term post-marketing surveillance study of ipragliflozin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes in real-world clinical practice

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ipragliflozin in real-world clinical practice in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

Research design and methods: We conducted interim analyses at 3 months of a 3-year prospective study of patients who were first prescribed ipragliflozin between 17 July 2014 and 16 October 2015, and whose data were locked by 16 January 2016.

Main outcome measures: Changes in glycemic control, blood pressure, and laboratory variables from baseline, and incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs).

Results: Of 11,412 patients initially registered, efficacy and safety data were available for 3481 (30.5%) and 4360 (38.2%) patients, respectively. Hemoglobin A1c and fasting plasma glucose decreased by 0.67% and 28.8 mg/dL, respectively, at 3 months/last assessment (both P < .001) from baseline (8.00% and 166.4 mg/dL, respectively). Blood pressure and lipid levels also improved significantly. There were 258 ADRs in 194 patients. The ADRs included ‘renal and urinary disorders’ (system organ class) in 110 patients (2.5%).

Conclusions: These 3-month interim results indicate that ipragliflozin improved glycemic control, lipids, and blood pressure with low rates of ADRs in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes in real-world clinical practice. The results were consistent with those of placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trials.

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02479399