title: Aloe vera toxic effects: expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in testis of Wistar rat.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Nitric oxide (NO), a product of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), contributes in germ cell apoptosis. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of Aloe vera gel (AVG) on male Wistar rat reproductive organ, serum NO level, and expression of iNOS gene in leydig cells.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult male Wistar rats (n=36) were used for experiments in three groups. The experimental groups were orally administered with the AVG extract solution once-daily as follow: 150 mg.kg(-1); group A, 300 mg.kg(-1); group B, and only normal saline; group C (control group). They were mated with untreated females and the reproductive and chemical parameters were assessed for each group, including semen quality, serum testosterone, sperm fertility, gonad and body weight, serum NO concentration (by the Griess method), and iNOS gene expression (using RT-PCR).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The testes weight, serum testosterone, as well as sperm count and fertility of the AVG treated groups were significantly reduced when compared to the control (P<0.001). Concentration of serum NO was significantly increased (37.1±4.63 µM) in the administrated group with higher AVG concentration, compared to the control group (P<0.001; 10.19±0.87 µM); however, iNOS mRNA expression was increased in the treated animals (P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  iNOS may play a functional role in spermatogenesis via apoptosis, reducing sperm count, but further studies are needed to illustrate the mechanisms by which AVG exerts its negative effects on spermatogenesis and sperm quality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Medical Technologies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Asgharzade
authors.affiliation: Medical Plant Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rafieian-Kopaei
authors.affiliation: Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Amin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mirzaeian
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Shahrekord, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Somaye
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reiisi
authors.affiliation: Medical Plant Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Loghman
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Salimzadeh
keywords: Aloe vera gel; Inducible nitric oxide synthase; Testis; Wistar rat