Browsing by Author "Azu, O. O."

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Altered expression of testicular SCF and c-kit genes in antiretroviral therapy-induced semen alterations and subfertility
    (Taylor & Francis Group, 2019) Adana, M. Y.; Akang, E. N.; Eche, S.; Ugochukwu, O.; Azu, O. O.
    Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been implicated in testicular toxicity observed in HIV patients. Optimal spermatogenesis has been shown to be dependent on the expression of Stem cell factor (SCF) and c-KIT genes. They are known to be crucial for germ cell development and fertility. The study investigated the effects of ART and Naringenin on the expression of SCF and c-KIT genes in the testes of Sprague Dawley rats. Methods: Thirty male rats weighing 200--220g, were randomly assigned into 6 treatment groups- DW: Distilled water, H: HAART, N40: Naringenin, 40 mg/kg, N80: Naringenin, 80 mg/kg, HN40: HAART+Naringenin, 40 mg/kg and HN80: HAART+Naringenin, 80 mg/kg. Treatment lasted for a period of 10 weeks. Copulation with adult non-mated females was allowed to take place. The number of pregnancies and pubs were noted. Rats were sacrificed, testes were harvested and semen were analysed. Expressions of SCF and c-kit genes were done via real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction. The Animal Research Ethical Committee, UKZN, South Africa approved this research with a reference number AREC/046/016D. Results: There was a significantly lower count in group H compared to DW and N40. There were significantly lower progressive sperms in group H when compared to DW, N40, N80, HN40 and HN80. The fertility index was higher in the DW than in the H and N40 groups. The number of pubs per group were also higher. The animals in groups H, HN40 and HN80 displayed altered expression of SCF/c-KIT genes when compared to controls. Conclusion: The study suggests that ART may alter the expression of SCF and c-KIT genes in the testes thereby causing deleterious effects on testicular function. Naringenin, a bioflavonoid may be a useful adjuvant therapy in protecting against testicular toxicity.
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    ) Body donation trends at the Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal over a three-decade period (1988–2017): Implications for medical education
    (Taylor & Francis Group, 2019) Adana, M. Y.; Naidu, E. C. S.; Azu, O. O.
    Dissection and prosection remain the gold standards for the teaching of anatomy to pre-clinical medical students around the world. This has made the practice of whole body donation the cornerstone of medical programmes. This study aims to determine the trends in body donation among South Africans and predict the best possible and realistic approach for the teaching of anatomy in the near future. Data from 696 cadavers donated during a three-decade period (1988–2017) were obtained from the files of the Discipline of Clinical Anatomy, University of KwaZulu-Natal South Africa. Data were analysed as percentages, mean ± standard deviation using Statistical package for social sciences version 24. Most bodies were donated in the first decade of this study (1988–1997). Family bequests through funeral services accounted for the majority of donations. Bodies were predominantly in the seventh decade of life (18.8%) and a larger proportion were males (61.6%). Bequests were found to be more among the whites (57.5%) than all the other races. The causes of death in donors were from a wide range of conditions. The study revealed that the trend in the practice of body donation in South Africa has been erratic, which makes it difficult to predict the number of bodies available for medical education. Alternative approaches to anatomy education such as plastination techniques and computational models need to be sought to ensure sound and uninterrupted medical programmes in South African schools
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    Effect of long-term administration of Cinnamomum cassia silver nanoparticles on organs (kidneys and liver) of Sprague Dawley rats
    (Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, 2018) Adana, M. Y.; Kouame, K.; Peter, A. I.; Akang, E. N.; Moodley, R.; Naidu, E. C. S.; Azu, O. O.
    This study investigated the toxic effects of silver on the kidneys and livers of Sprague-Dawley rats after administering multiple doses of silver nanoparticles synthesized using extracts of Cinnamomum cassia (CcAgNPs). Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats (250 ± 20 g) were randomly assigned to four groups (A–D) of six animals per group and treated for 8 weeks. Group A was administered 200 mg/kg of Cinnamon Cassia extract (Cc), group B 5 mg/kg of CcAgNPs, group C 10 mg/kg of CcAgNPs, and group D normal saline. Body weight was measured weekly and fasting blood glucose was measured fortnightly. At the end of the experiment, animals were euthanized and organs (livers and kidneys) were fixed in neutral buffered formalin and processed for light microscopy (H&E). Body weight differences were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the low-dose Cc group and the kidney to body weight ratio was not significant. Renal function analysis of proteins and ketones showed a significant increase in CcAgNP-treated rats (P < 0.05). Kidney and liver histology showed distortions in hepatocytes and sinusoidal linings with infiltrations especially in the higher dose groups. Kidney histology mirrored degenerative changes in glomerular and Bowman’s capsules with fibrillary mesangial interstitium. CcAgNPs impairs renal and hepatic morphology and function after a long period of administration.
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    Naringenin attenuates highly active antiretroviral therapy-induced sperm DNA fragmentations and testicular toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats.
    (Elsevier, 2018) Adana, M. Y.; Akang, E. N.; Peter, A. I.; Jegede, A. I.; Naidu, E. C. S.; Tiloke, C.; Chuturgoon A. A.; Azu, O. O.
    Highly active antiretroviral therapy has evolved over the years, leading to a boost in the quality of life in people living with HIV and AIDS. However, growing evidence has shown that highly active antiretroviral therapy has deleterious effects on the testes and the overall reproductive capacity. Therefore, this study is to determine the adjuvant potential of Naringenin on highly active antiretroviral therapy-induced perturbations in fertility of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Thirty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into six groups viz – Control; H: 30 mg/kg of highly active antiretroviral therapy (EFV, 600 mg + FTC, 200 mg + TDF, 300 mg); N40: Naringenin, 40 mg/kg; N80: Naringenin, 80 mg/kg; HN40: highly active antiretroviral therapy + Naringenin, 40 mg/kg; HN80: highly active antiretroviral therapy + Naringenin, 80 mg/kg. The rats were euthanized after 4 weeks. Results showed that there was a significant decrease in sperm count (p < 0.001), spermatozoa with normal morphology (p < 0.001) and progressive sperm motility (p < 0.05) of H compared to the control and the HN groups. Likewise, fragmentations increased (p < 0.05) in tail lengths of sperm DNA in H compared to control. HN40 and HN80 decreased tail lengths compared to H (p < 0.001). There was also a decrease in %tail DNA and tail moment in HN40 (p < 0.001) compared to H. Luteinizing hormone significantly increased (p < 0.05) in HN40, HN80, and N40 (p < 0.001) but decreased in H (p < 0.05) compared to control. The diameter of the seminiferous tubules also decreased (p < 0.05) in H compared to control, N80, and HN40. Likewise, the area of the seminiferous tubules in group H decreased (p < 0.05) compared to N80 and HN80. The seminiferous tubules epithelium increased (p < 0.05) in N40 and HN40 compared to H. This study establishes that highly active antiretroviral therapy has deleterious effects on the testicular microanatomy, sperm parameters, and sperm DNA of Sprague-Dawley rats, which may impair fertility but Naringenin is a potential complimentary adjuvant.
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    Naringenin upregulates the expression of CYP17 and CYP19 in the rats' testes: any effects on sperm functionality?
    (Taylor & Francis Group, 2020) Adana, M. Y.; Akang E. N.; Eche, S.; Ugochukwu, O.; Azu, O. O.
    Background: CYP17A1 and CYP19A1, are members of the cytochrome P450 superfamily which are monooxygenases that catalyze many reactions involved in steroidogenesis. In humans, the gene CYP17, located on chromosome 10q24.3 , encodes the 17 alpha-hydroxylase while CYP19 gene which resides on chromosome15q21.1 encodes aromatase enzyme . They are both expressed in the gonads. Optimal spermatogenesis has been shown to be dependent on the expression of these genes. They are known to be crucial for germ cell development and functionality. This research studied the expression of these genes in the rats' testes and investigated the effects of Naringenin, a bioactive flavonoid on their expression. Methods: Thirty male rats weighing 200-220g, were randomly assigned into 3 treatment groups- DW: Distilled water, N40: Naringenin, 40 mg/kg, N80: Naringenin, 80 mg/kg. Treatment lasted for a period of 70 days. Rats were then sacrificed, blood samples collected for hormonal assay, testes were harvested and semen were analysed. Expressions of CYP 17 and CYP 19 genes were done via real-time PCR. The Animal Research Ethical Committee, UKZN, South Africa approved this research (reference: AREC/046/016D). Results: The animals in groups N40 and N80 displayed significantly higher expression of CYP 17 and CYP 19 genes when compared to controls. Serum testosterone and LH levels were also significantly higher. However, no significant differences in the sperm count and percentage of abnormal sperms observed across the groups. But there were significantly lower progressive sperms in group N40 when compared to control. Conclusion: The study suggests that even though Naringenin displayed increased expression of CYP 17 and CYP19 genes in the testes, there was no significant impact on the semen parameters and no effects on the overall testicular function. Naringenin, a bioflavonoid may be able to protect against testicular toxicity but does not improve the function of an otherwise healthy testes.
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    Testicular microanatomical and hormonal alterations following use of antiretroviral therapy in Sprague Dawley rats: Role of Naringenin
    (Wiley- Blackwell, 2018) Adana, M. Y.; Akang, E. N.; Naidu, E. C. S.; Aniekan, P. I.; Kouame, K.; Offor, U.; Azu, O. O.
    Human immunodeficiency virus‐infected man may require assisted reproductive technology not just for safer conception but also due to subfertility. The study investigated the effect of antiretroviral drugs on the fertility potentials of males and the possible protective role of Naringenin, using Sprague Dawley rats. Thirty adult male Sprague Dawley rats were grouped into—A: Distilled water; B: Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART); C: Naringenin 40 mg/kg; D: Naringenin 80 mg/kg, E: HAART + Naringenin 40 mg/kg; F: HAART + Naringenin 80 mg/kg. The rats were euthanised after 10 weeks. Results showed a significant decrease in sperm count in group B when compared to the control and other groups. Spermatozoa with normal morphology also reduced significantly in the B group and progressive sperm motility reduced when compared to the control, D and the F group. The serum testosterone was not significantly different between groups A and B, however the groups C and D displayed significant increase when compared to groups A and B. The serum luteinis‐ing hormone was significantly higher in group B when compared to groups A, E and F. Our data suggest that Naringenin improves the male reproductive anatomy and function, therefore, it promises to be a beneficial adjuvant for mitigating HAART testicular and reproductive perturbations.