Cell Journal (Yakhteh)

437-446

Authors: Mohsen Rahmani; Marziyeh Tavalaee; Joel R Drevet; Mohammad Hossein Nasr-Esfahani

Testicular dysfunction, whether linked to varicocele, obesity, diabetes, aging, inflammation, or lifestyle or environmental issues, is frequently accompanied by an accumulation of unfolded or misfolded proteins, indicating impaired endoplasmic reticulum (ER) function. In this review, we examined the Google Scholar, Scopus and PubMed databases (from 2011 to 2022) to support the association of ER stress with defective spermatogenesis in animal models and humans. ER stress, whether in its pro-survival or pro-apoptotic aspect, appears to be closely linked to each studied situation. Several studies have demonstrated a significant increase in oxidative stress (OS) levels in infertile men compared to fertile individuals, which is associated with poor spermatogenesis quality. OS is likely the result of the interplay between ER stress and spermatogenesis defects. These findings suggest that therapeutic strategies aimed at mitigating both ER stress and OS could be of interest in restoring male reproductive function.

455-460

Authors: Roshan Rezaee Ranjbar Sardari; Mahmood Dehghani Ashkezari; Seyed Morteza Seifati; Mahin Izadi; Jalal Golzadeh; Fahime Mazaheri; Maryam Adib; Behrouz Aflatoonian

Objective: Some reports have indicated that conditioned medium from growing mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) provides a supportive condition for small follicles growing, oocyte maturation, and following embryo growth. The aim of this study is assessing in vitro maturation (IVM) and consequent in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome of immature mouse oocytes using human embryonic stem cells conditioned medium (HESCM). Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 240 germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes were took from NMRI female mice, aged 4-6 weeks, 48 hours before injection of 5 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG). 120 GV oocytes without cumulus cells were cultured in each of the groups. 120 GV were cultured in HESCM as test groups and also 120 GV cultured in human embryonic stem cells medium (HESM) as control groups. After evaluating the metaphase II (MII) oocyte maturation rate at 8, 16 and 24 hours, the MII oocytes subsequently were fertilized in vitro and the two-cell embryo development rate was recorded at days 1, 2, and 3. Statistical analysis was performed by using the generalized estimating equations (GEE) method that calculated their rate ratio. Results: Our data indicated there are significant differences between the maturation rates in HESCM and HESM (P=0.004), also the two-cell embryo development was significant between two culture media (P=0.00). Conclusion: Similar to some other studies, the secretome of the HESCM showed a significant impact on the IVM outcomes in mice.

470-482

Authors: Nasim Rahmani-Kukia; Mozhdeh Zamani; Pooneh Mokaram

Objective: Endoplasmic reticulum-metallopeptidase 1 (ERMP1) is involved in cellular response to oxidative stress. However, its functional role in proliferation and progression of cancer cells remains unknown. The focus of this study was to investigate the molecular-mechanisms in which ERMP1 modulates the proliferation and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells under normal and environment stress conditions. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, ERMP1 expression was evaluated using reverse transcriptionquantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in CRC cells. ERMP1 was knocked down using lentiviral transduction of ERMP1-specific shRNA into HCT116 cells. ERMP1 was also upregulated using lipofectamine transfection of ERMP1-overexpressing vector into SW48 cells. To evaluate the role of ERMP1 in the cellular and environmental stress conditions, ERMP1-downregulated cells were exposed to stressful conditions including starvation, serum free medium, and treatment with redox or chemotherapy agents for 72 hours. The expression of AKT, p-AKT, phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), β-catenin, p-β-catenin, E-cadherin, and Glucose-regulating protein 78 (GRP78) proteins was evaluated by western blotting. The expression of ERMP1, CYCLIN D, and c-MYC was evaluated by RT-qPCR. The cell surface localization of GRP78, cell cycle distribution, and apoptosis were determined by Flow cytometry. Results: ERMP1 knock-down reduced the cellular proliferation, inactivated the PI3K/AKT pathway, prompted the G1 arrest, and attenuated the free β-catenin and CYCLIN D expression. Opposite results were obtained in ERMP1- overexpressed cells. Knock-down of ERMP1 also reduced the GRP78 localization at the cell surface. Various environmental stress conditions differently affected the ERMP1-downregulated cells. Conclusion: ERMP1 functioned as an oncogene in CRC cells by promoting malignant characteristics. The phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3K)/AKT/β-catenin pathway and localization of GRP78 were closely related to the effects of ERMP1. Consequently, ERMP1 might be regarded as a promising target in therapeutic strategies related to CRC.

496-507

Authors: Saman Moradi; Mozafar Khazaei; Zahra Rashidi

Objective: Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a heterogeneous disorder. POF is defined as hypergonadotropic hypoestrogenism in women under 40 years. There is no effective treatment to cure POF patients. Antioxidants prevent ovarian damage by reducing the lipid peroxidation cascades affecting folliculogenesis, meiosis and ovulation. Hence; the aim of present study was to investigate the effects of Capsaicin (CAP) and Quercetin (QUR) on cyclophosphamide (CYC)-induced POF in rat model. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, POF was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 200 mg/kg CYC on first day and then 8 mg/kg/day for the following 3 days. After 4 days of CYC administration, rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=6/group) as follows: POF, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), CAP (0.5 mg/kg/day), QUR (100 mg/kg/day) and CAP+QUR. Biochemical, hormonal, gene expression, and histological evaluations were performed on blood serum and tissue samples after 14 days of treatment with the CAP and QUR. Results: CAP, QUR and CAP+QUR groups showed signs of restored ovarian function in the form of a significant increase in serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), estrogen, progesterone and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) levels versus POF and DMSO groups and a significant improvement in histological parameters and follicle numbers in treatment groups compared to POF and DMSO groups. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis demonstrated that CAP and QUR upregulate the expression of BAX gene and decreased the expression of apoptosis inducing genes (BCL-2 and P53). Conclusion: CAP and QUR treatment of CYC-induced POF rats showed a positive effect on reducing ovarian damage by improving TAC levels, expression of apoptotic genes, levels of ovarian reserve markers, and histological parameters. Our results suggest that treatment with CAP or QUR may be a conservative treatment approach for CYC -induced POF.