Candidate Katayoun Sedaghatizadeh, Nemati Farkhondeh, Tabari Maryam Gholamitabar, Ghadikolaii Fatemeh Peyravii, Bishehkolaei Roya
Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Qaemshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qaemshahr, Iran.
Health Reproductive Research Center, Sari Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sari, Iran.
Int J Reprod Biomed. 2025 Aug 27;23(7):559-568. doi: 10.18502/ijrm.v23i7.19485. eCollection 2025 Jul.
Oxidative stress significantly contributes to male infertility. Spirulina contains phycocyanin (PC), a protein with significant biological effects, including strong antioxidant activity.
This study investigates the protective effects of Spirulina platensis (Sp) and its active compound, PC, against oxidative damage in sperm and testicular tissue in rats.
This research was an experimental study. 36 male Wistar rats (7-8 wk, 180-220 gr) were randomized into 6 groups (n = 6/each): control, PC (500 mg/kg/day), Sp (300 mg/kg/day), hydrogen peroxide (HP; 0.5%), HP+PC, and HP+Sp. Treatments were given orally for 60 days. Sperm parameters (count, motility, viability) were assessed via Neubauer chamber, motility analysis, and eosin Y staining. Oxidative markers and histopathology were evaluated using colorimetric kits and hematoxylin and eosin staining. DNA fragmentation index (DFI) was measured via acridine orange.
HP reduced sperm count (40.2 vs. 55.2 million/mL; p = 0.001), motility (43.4% vs. 87.0%; p = 0.001), and increased DFI (18.5% vs. 4.0%; p = 0.001) versus control. Co-treatment with PC/Sp improved motility (HP-PC: 69.0%, HP-Sp: 61.9%; p = 0.001 vs. HP) and DFI (15.7%; p = 0.001 vs. HP). HP decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase and elevated malondialdehyde (p = 0.001). PC/Sp partially restored superoxide dismutase, reduced malondialdehyde (3.8-3.9 nmol/mL; p = 0.001 vs. HP). PC enhanced total antioxidant capacity (5.6 vs. 3.1 mmol; p = 0.001), while Sp lowered oxidative stress index (0.41 vs. 1.36; p = 0.001) versus HP.
Sp and PC protect against oxidative sperm and testicular damage by enhancing antioxidant defenses and reducing oxidative stress. PC demonstrated superior effects on sperm quality, DNA integrity, and testicular histology, indicating its therapeutic potential in male infertility.
氧化应激对男性不育有显著影响。螺旋藻含有藻蓝蛋白（PC），这是一种具有重要生物学作用的蛋白质，包括强大的抗氧化活性。
本研究探讨钝顶螺旋藻（Sp）及其活性化合物PC对大鼠精子和睾丸组织氧化损伤的保护作用。
本研究为实验性研究。将36只雄性Wistar大鼠（7 - 8周龄，180 - 220克）随机分为6组（每组n = 6）：对照组、PC组（500毫克/千克/天）、Sp组（300毫克/千克/天）、过氧化氢（HP；0.5%）组、HP+PC组和HP+Sp组。治疗持续口服60天。通过血细胞计数板、活力分析和伊红Y染色评估精子参数（数量、活力、存活率）。使用比色试剂盒以及苏木精和伊红染色评估氧化标志物和组织病理学。通过吖啶橙测量DNA碎片化指数（DFI）。
与对照组相比，HP降低了精子数量（4020万/毫升对5520万/毫升；p = 0.001）、活力（43.4%对87.0%；p = 0.001），并增加了DFI（18.5%对4.0%；p = 0.001）。与PC/Sp联合治疗可改善活力（HP - PC组：69.0%，HP - Sp组：61.9%；与HP组相比，p = 0.001）和DFI（15.7%；与HP组相比，p = 0.001）。HP降低了超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶水平，并升高了丙二醛水平（p = 0.001）。PC/Sp部分恢复了超氧化物歧化酶水平，降低了丙二醛水平（3.8 - 3.9纳摩尔/毫升；与HP组相比，p = 0.001）。与HP组相比，PC提高了总抗氧化能力（5.6对3.1毫摩尔；p = 0.001），而Sp降低了氧化应激指数（0.41对1.36；p = 0.001）。
Sp和PC通过增强抗氧化防御和降低氧化应激来保护精子和睾丸免受氧化损伤。PC在精子质量、DNA完整性和睾丸组织学方面表现出更优的效果，表明其在男性不育治疗中的潜力。
