Influence of insulin and testosterone on diabetic rat ventral prostate: Histological, morphometric and immunohistochemical study

Comparison of the Effects of Allium cepa L. Extract Together with Insulin on Sperm Parameters in Diabetic Rats

Background: In diabetic patients, uncontrolled blood sugar causes disorders in various systems of the body in the long term. The reproductive system is one of these susceptible systems. It is known that diabetes can adversely affect spermatogenesis. The use of medicinal plants in the treatment of various diseases has been discussed by many researchers for a long time. Onion, scientifically known as Allium cepa L., contains antioxidants. Insulin is also a drug used to control blood sugar in diabetic patients. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and compare in vivo antidiabetic activities of hydroalcoholic onion seed extract together with insulin in diabetic rats. Methods: In this study, diabetes was induced in rats with streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). Fifty animals were equally divided into five groups: nondiabetic control (group 1); diabetic control (group 2); diabetic rats receiving streptozotocin plus insulin (group 3); and diabetic rats treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg of Allium cepa L. seed extract by gavage for four weeks (groups 4 and 5). At the end of the study, the prostate ventral lobe was removed and processed for histological studies. Next, sperm parameters from the tail of the left epididymis, biochemical parameters, and histopathological changes were analyzed and compared. Results: The sperm parameters of diabetic rats receiving 200 and 400 mg/kg of Allium cepa L. extract showed a significant increase compared to the diabetic control group. Conclusions: Administration of Allium cepa L. extract as a strong antioxidant was adequate to compensate for the toxic effects of streptozotocin and increase the motility of sperms.

Impact of insulin producing cells derived from adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells on testicular dysfunction of diabetic rats

The present study is to clarify the effect of insulin-producing cells (IPCs) derived from adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) on diabetic-induced impairments as the abnormalities of testicular tissues, oxidative stress of testes, and defects of spermatogenesis. Diabetes was stimulated by streptozotocin (STZ) injection in male adult Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Diabetes was confirmed by taking two highly consecutive fasting blood sugar readings; more than 300 mg/dl; within one week. Five million of IPCs derived from AT-MSCs; encased in TheraCyte capsule; were then directly transplanted (one implant for each rat) subcutaneously in diabetic rats. Implants were maintained for 3 months and the fasting blood sugar of the transplanted rats was observed every month. At the end of the experiment; serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were also estimated. The sperm parameters (count, motility, and abnormality) were recorded. In testicular tissue; GPX4, Bcl2, and Bax levels were evaluated, while oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes activities were measured in the testes homogenate. Also, histopathological alterations were examined in the testes cross-section. In the results, it was found that IPCs treatment enhanced the serum testosterone, FSH, and LH levels. Diabetic-induced impairments in the sperm parameters were noticeably improved post-IPCs transplantation in the diabetic rats. Moreover, the treatment improved the diabetic-associated testicular oxidative stress. Also, it was recognized that the Bax expression decreased, while, GPX4 and Bcl2 expression increased in the treated rats. Meanwhile, the abnormalities showed in the histopathological studies of the hyperglycemic rat's testes were attenuated post-treatment. So, IPCs transplantation improved diabetes and consequently protected against hyperglycemia-induced testicular damages.

Early initiation of insulin attenuates histological and functional changes in the liver of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats using 99mTc-sulfur colloid functional imaging

This study aimed to investigate the effect of insulin on the reticuloendothelial system (RES) in the liver and spleen in diabetic rats. Sprague Dawley rats were divided into control, diabetic rats (DM) and diabetic rats treated with insulin (IDM) for 2 weeks. Rats were imaged with technetium-99m-sulfur colloid (^99mTc-SC) tracer to determine regional distributions of the tracer for all groups by drawing regions of interest and then obtained the ratios as the cumulative counts of heart, liver, and spleen to the whole body (WB). Liver tissue from sacrificed rats from each group was examined by light and electron microscopy. ^99mTc-SC uptake ratios showed a lower liver to WB uptake ratio in the DM rats compared to both controls and IDM rats. Electron microscopy showed severe vacuolization of the hepatocytes of DM rats. The IDM rats show complete resolution of the vacuolization. The early administration of insulin for 2 weeks to diabetic rats could significantly resolve the phagocytic RES function and histological changes in the liver.

The Modulatory Role of Vitamin C in Boldenone Undecylenate Induced Testicular Oxidative Damage and Androgen Receptor Dysregulation in Adult Male Rats

Background: This study explored the effect of vitamin C (Vit-C) administration on the reproductive function of adult male Wistar rats injected with boldenone undecylenate (BOL). Methods: Rats were randomly assigned into control, vehicle control, Vit-C (120 mg/kg b.wt./day, orally), BOL (received 5 mg/kg b.wt./week, IM) and BOL+Vit-C-treated groups. After eight weeks, hormonal assay, semen evaluation, testicular enzymes, and antioxidants biomarkers were assessed. Besides, the histopathological and immunohistochemical investigations of the androgen receptor (AR) expression were performed. Results: The results revealed that serum testosterone, acid phosphatase, sorbitol dehydrogenase, sperm abnormalities, and testicular malondialdehyde were significantly incremented in the BOL-treated group. Testicular weight, sperm count, and sperm motility together with serum levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and estradiol, and testicular testosterone, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione showed a significant decrease following BOL treatment. Besides, the AR immunoreactivity was significantly decreased in testicular tissues. Vit-C co-administration with BOL significantly relieved the BOL-induced sperm abnormalities, reduced sperm motility, testicular enzyme leakage, and oxidative damage. However, Vit-C could rescue neither BOL-induced hormonal disturbances nor AR down-regulation. Conclusions: The results provide further insight into the mechanisms of BOL-induced reproductive dysfunction and its partial recovery by Vit-C.

The Oleo-Gum-Resin of Commiphora myrrha Ameliorates Male Reproductive Dysfunctions in Streptozotocin-Induced Hyperglycemic Rats

Background: The oleo-gum-resin of Commiphora myrrha (myrrh) has a long history of therapeutic use in traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to seek for the scientific evidence to determine whether the ethanolic extract of myrrh (EEM) has any beneficial effects on Streptozotocin (STZ) induced testicular impairments, and explore the possible mechanisms underlying such actions. Methods: Forty-eight severe and complicated diabetic rats (fasting blood glucose above 350 mg/dL), randomly were divided into six equal groups (n=8). Besides, eight healthy rats allocated as a normal control group and only treated with vehicle solution. The diabetic animals orally received the extract (100, 200, 300, and 500 mg/kg), metformin (500 mg/kg) or vehicle solution for 28 days. As a final point, plasma glucose and insulin, circulatory sex hormones, sperm parameters including sperm concentration, motility and viability and also testicular malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were assessed. Furthermore, quantitative histological evaluation of seminiferous tubules area and determination of germinal cells apoptosis were performed. Results: None of the studied doses of EEM showed anti-diabetic effects. However, the extract mainly at the maximum dose (500 mg/kg) exhibited beneficial effects on reproductive impairments. The EEM treated rats mainly at 500 mg/kg had significantly higher sperm concentration, sperm motility, sperm viability, sex hormones and lower testicular MDA and germ cell apoptosis index than untreated diabetic rats. Conclusion: These results indicated that EEM may have beneficial effects against reproductive dysfunction induced by diabetes. The mechanisms behind the effects might be associated with the EEM sex hormone booster potential, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.

Protective efficiency of Ashrasi date palm hydroalcoholic extract against diabetes-induced testicular toxicity: A biochemical and stereological study

The present study was designed to investigate the protective effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Ashrasi date palm (ADP) on diabetes-induced testicular injuries. Adult male rats were randomly allocated into five groups (n = 8 in each group): 1: control; 2: diabetic; 3: diabetic + 30 mg/kg of ADP extract; 4: diabetic + 90 mg/kg of ADP extract; and 5: diabetic + 270 mg/kg of ADP extract. Diabetes was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Testicular changes were assessed quantitatively using stereological method followed by measuring antioxidant enzymes including catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and serum testosterone level. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Bcl-2 expression were also evaluated in tissue samples. Diabetes resulted in significant deleterious alterations in the architecture of testicular tissue, suppressed antioxidant enzymes and testosterone levels and increased lipid peroxidation. The expression of Bcl-2 was downregulated in diabetic testis and resulted in enhanced apoptosis. Eight weeks of ADP extract treatment especially at higher doses could markedly improve structural changes of testis and restore the antioxidant defence and testosterone levels in testicular tissue. In conclusion, this findings showed that ADP extract can play as a potent antioxidant and can attenuate the adverse effects of diabetes on male reproduction.

Role of bone marrow-derived stem cells versus insulin on filiform and fungiform papillae of diabetic albino rats (light, fluorescent and scanning electron microscopic study)

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by high blood glucose levels. DM affects many body's organs and caused by insulin production deficiency or by the ineffectiveness of the produced insulin. Administration of exogenous insulin is required for management of type I DM; however, it does not cure the disease. Bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) have been highlighted to offer a novel cell based approach for treatment of diabetes because of their anti-diabetic effect, direct differentiation into a variety of cell types, or release of paracrine factors.

AIM

To examine the effect of BM-MSCs versus insulin on true filiform and fungiform papillae of diabetic rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty six male Wistar albino rats weighing 200-250 g were equally divided into: Control group (Gp I): Rats did not receive any drug. Diabetic group (Gp II): Rats received a single intra-peritoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg). BM-MSCs treated diabetic group (Gp III): After DM confirmation; rats received a single intravenous injection of BM-MSCs (million units) through tail vein. Insulin treated diabetic group (Gp IV): After DM confirmation; rats received a daily subcutaneous injection of insulin (5IU/kg). After four weeks, half of the tongue specimens were processed and stained by Hematoxyline & Eosin and Anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (Anti-PCNA) then examined by light microscope. Fluorescent microscope was used to detect homing of injected labeled BM-MSCs in rats' filiform and fungiform papillae. While the other half were examined by scanning electron microscope.

RESULTS

True filiform and fungiform papillae of Gp II showed significant histological and morphological alterations. In treated groups, Gp III and Gp IV, both papillae showed marked improvements, being more noticeable in Gp IV. There was a significant increase in the number of Anti-PCNA positive cells and a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose level in Gp III and Gp IV in comparison to Gp II.

CONCLUSIONS

DM had degenerative effects on true filiform and fungiform papillae. Administration of BM-MSCs reduced the deleterious effects of DM on both papillae. Insulin injection caused more obvious improvements in both papillae of diabetic rats than BM-MSCs.

An Experimental Study to Evaluate the Protective Effects of Solanum lycopersicum Seed Essential Oil on Diabetes-Induced Testicular Injuries

Background and Objectives: Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder that can effectively influences male reproductive performance. The present study was conducted to investigate the protective effects of Solanum lycopersicum essential oil (SL) on diabetes-induced testicular injuries. Materials and Methods: Adult male rats were randomly allocated into five groups (n = 8 in each group). 1: control; 2: diabetic; 3: diabetic + 30 mg/kg of SL essential oil; 4: diabetic + 90 mg/kg of SL essential oil; 5: diabetic + 270 mg/kg of SL essential oil extract. Diabetes was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Testicular changes were assessed quantitatively using stereological method followed by measuring antioxidant enzymes including catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase, and the serum testosterone level. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and Bcl-2expression were also evaluated in the tissue samples. Results: Diabetes resulted in significant deleterious changes in the structure of testicular tissue, suppressed antioxidant enzymes and testosterone levels, and increased lipid peroxidation. The expression of Bcl-2 was downregulated in diabetic testis and resulted in enhanced apoptosis. Following 8 weeks of treatment with SL essential oil, there were noticeable improvements in the structural changes of testis and the restoration of antioxidant defense and testosterone levels in testicular tissue, especially at higher doses. Conclusion: In conclusion, these findings reveal that the essential oil of Solanum lycopersicum has potent antioxidant properties and can attenuate the adverse effects of diabetes on male reproduction.

Amelioration of diabetes-induced testicular and sperm damage in rats by cerium oxide nanoparticle treatment

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CNPs) as an antioxidant have been used frequently to attenuate hyperglycaemia oxidative damage in different organs. We investigated the impact CNPs on the qualitative and quantitative sperm parameters, spermatogenesis and NFE2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) expression as a major contributor of antioxidant defence in the male diabetic rats. Twenty-four male rats were divided into four groups. Controls received only mouse food and water. Second group were treated with CNPs (30 mg kg^-1  day^-1 ) for 2 weeks. Rats in third group received streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/kg). In fourth group, animals became diabetic and received CNPs (30 mg kg^-1  day^-1 ) for 2 weeks. The results showed a significant abnormality in the sperm parameters and histopathological patterns of testes in the diabetic group compared to the control group and CNPs treatment significantly improved all testicular parameters. Following CNPs administration, sperm DNA fragmentation significantly reduced in the STZ-treated rats. Moreover, after CNPs intake in the STZ-treated rats, Nfr2 expression levels increased significantly. Overall, CNPs administration on the diabetic rates can attenuate detrimental effects of diabetes on the sperm potential fertility, sperm parameters, DNA integrity and Nrf2 expression levels. This study gives a future prospect to determine the role of CNPs in the context of diabetes.

Selenium Nanoparticles Attenuate Oxidative Stress and Testicular Damage in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

We investigated the protective and antioxidative effects of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) in streptozotocin STZ-induced diabetic rats. STZ-diabetic rats were exposed daily to treatments with SeNPs and/or insulin and then the effect of these treatments on the parameters correlated to oxidative damage of the rat testes were assessed. Biochemical analysis revealed that SeNPs are able to ameliorate the reduction in the serum testosterone caused by STZ-induced diabetes. Furthermore, SeNPs could significantly decrease testicular tissue oxidative stress markers, namely lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide. In contrast, treatment of the STZ-diabetic rats with SeNPs increased the glutathione content and antioxidant enzyme activities in testicular tissues. Moreover, microscopic analysis proved that SeNPs are able to prevent histological damage in the testes of STZ-diabetic rats. Molecular analysis revealed that the mRNA level of Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma 2) is significantly upregulated. On the contrary, the mRNA level of Bax (Bcl-2 Associated X Protein) was significantly downregulated. Furthermore, treatment of STZ-diabetic rats with SeNPs led to an elevation in the expression of PCNA (Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen Gene). Interestingly, the insulin treatment also exhibited a significant improvement in the testicular function in STZ-diabetic rats. Collectively, our results demonstrated the possible effects of SeNPs in attenuating diabetes-induced oxidative damage, in particular in testicular tissue.

Withania coagulans Extract Induces Cell Apoptosis and Inhibits COX-2 Expression in a Rat Model of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Background

Phytotherapy is a popular treatment option in cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), with many different herbal products being used for the treatment of this condition. Withania coagulans (WC) is an herbal medicine that has shown anti-tumoral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects.

Objectives

This study examined the effect of Withania coagulans extract (WCE) on prostatic cell apoptosis and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in rats.

Methods

Forty Wistar rats were equally divided into five groups: control, sham, BPH, BPH + WCE, and BPH + CLX (celecoxib) as a positive control group. The induction of BPH was achieved via the subcutaneous injection of 3 mg/kg of testosterone propionate (TP) daily for 28 days. The animals received WCE, celecoxib, or distilled water by oral gavage accompanied by the TP injection. After four weeks, the prostate glands of the rats were weighed to measure the prostatic index (PI). The ventral lobes of the prostates were dissected and processed with paraffin blocks in order to study the number of mast cells. A TUNEL analysis was performed to evaluate the cell apoptosis, while the expression of COX-2 was examined using immunohistochemistry.

Results

BPH was obvious in the ventral lobe of the prostate, and the administration of WCE markedly decreased the PI and the number of mast cells (P < 0.001) in the BPH rats. Additionally, the WCE treatment induced prostatic cell apoptosis when compared to the BPH group. Furthermore, following the WCE treatment, the expression of COX-2 in the prostatic tissues was significantly decreased when compared to the BPH groups.

Conclusions

According to the results of this study, WCE was effective in the treatment of BPH in rats. It may therefore have beneficial effects in the treatment of patients with BPH.

Stereological study of the effects of maternal diabetes on cerebellar cortex development in rat

Diabetes during pregnancy is associated with the deficits in balance and motor coordination and altered social behaviors in offspring. In the present study, we have investigated the effect of maternal diabetes and insulin treatment on the cerebellar volume and morphogenesis of the cerebellar cortex of rat neonates during the first two postnatal weeks. Sprague Dawley female rats were maintained diabetic from a week before pregnancy through parturition. At the end of pregnancy, the male offspring euthanized on postnatal days (P) 0, 7, and 14. Cavalieri's principle and fractionator methods were used to estimate the cerebellar volume, the thickness and the number of cells in the different layers of the cerebellar cortex. In spite of P0, there was a significant reduction in the cerebellar volume and the thickness of the external granule, molecular, and internal granule layers between the diabetic and the control animals. In diabetic group, the granular and purkinje cell densities were increased at P0. Moreover, the number of granular and purkinje cells in the cerebellum of diabetic neonates was reduced in comparison with the control group at P7 and P14. There were no significant differences in either the volume and thickness or the number of cells in the different layers of the cerebellar cortex between the insulin-treated diabetic group and controls. Our data indicate that diabetes in pregnancy disrupts the morphogenesis of cerebellar cortex. This dysmorphogenesis may be part of the cascade of events through which diabetes during pregnancy affects motor coordination and social behaviors in offspring.