Ameliorative effect of extract against testicular damage induced by sodium nitrite in rats.

BACKGROUND

Sodium nitrite (NaNO) is a chemical substance used to enhance taste, add color, and keep food products fit for consumption for a longer time. NaNO gives rise to a negative adverse effect on male reproductive function. (OC) is a natural plant that possesses antioxidant capacity.

AIM

Our research evaluates the potential beneficial effect of OC extract on the harmful effects caused by NaNO on the testicular tissue and sperm characteristics of male rats.

METHODS

Four groups with a total of forty rats: the control, the NaNO-received group, the OC-administered group, and the fourth group received both NaNO and OC. All groups were administered daily for two months. Sperm characteristics, testicular antioxidant status, qRT-PCR, and histopathological changes were evaluated.

RESULTS

Coadministration of NaNO and OC, in comparison with NaNO alone, contributed to a notable enhancement in acrosomal integrity, decreasing sperm abnormalities and restoring serum testosterone levels. Moreover, such coadministration reduced the oxidative stress marker, malondialdehyde (MDA), and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) in testicular tissue, lowering TNF-α gene expression, and increasing the expression of P450scc and StAR genes. In addition, the NaNO and OC combination decreased the testicular histopathological changes and the Caspase-3 and Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunoexpression in seminiferous tubules compared with the NaNO group.

CONCLUSION

The extract of OC exhibited the ability to decrease oxidative stress and ameliorate the detrimental effects caused by NaNO.