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Biasi A, Ambruosi MR, Romano MZ, Boccella S, Falvo S, Guida F, Aniello F, Maione S, Venditti M, Minucci S. Impact of Type 1 Diabetes on Testicular Microtubule Dynamics, Sperm Physiology, and Male Reproductive Health in Rat. Int J Mol Sci 2025; 26:4579. [PMID: 40429724 PMCID: PMC12111744 DOI: 10.3390/ijms26104579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2025] [Revised: 05/04/2025] [Accepted: 05/08/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025] Open
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic metabolic disease defined by sustained hyperglycemia, leading to oxidative stress (OS) and systemic complications, including male subfertility. This study investigates the potential impact of T1D-induced OS on microtubule (MTs) dynamics and microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) in the testis and spermatozoa (SPZ). Using a streptozotocin-induced T1D rat model, we examined the expression and localization of key MAPs, including Microtubule Affinity-Regulating Kinase 4 (MARK4), Microtubule-Associated Protein 1A (MAP1A), Dynein Light Chain LC8-Type 1 (DYNLL1), Prolyl Endopeptidase (PREP), and Radial Spoke Head 6 Homolog A (RSPH6A), alongside sperm functional parameters. Our findings showed that T1D significantly impaired the expression and distribution of these proteins, which may affect MTs organization and be associated with cytoskeletal disorganization, and impaired germ cell differentiation. Moreover, T1D rats exhibited reduced sperm count, viability, and motility, accompanied by increased DNA fragmentation and chromatin defects. Elevated levels of 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE), a marker of OS, were detected in SPZ, particularly in the acrosome and flagellum, correlating with mitochondrial dysfunction and ATP depletion. Additionally, decreased intracellular Ca2+ levels, downregulation of Cation Channel of Sperm (CATSPER) and Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel 3 (VDAC3), and altered tubulin acetylation, possibly due to imbalanced Alpha-Tubulin N-Acetyltransferase 1 (ATAT1) and Histone Deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) expression, were also associated with impaired sperm motility. The combined data suggest that T1D-induced OS is linked to disrupted MTs dynamics, which may contribute to testicular dysfunction and reduced sperm quality, potentially affecting male fertility. A better understanding of these associations may support the development of therapeutic strategies to mitigate the reproductive consequences of T1D and improve male fertility outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Biasi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Napoli, Italy; (A.B.); (M.R.A.); (M.Z.R.); (S.B.); (F.G.); (S.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Maria Rosaria Ambruosi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Napoli, Italy; (A.B.); (M.R.A.); (M.Z.R.); (S.B.); (F.G.); (S.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Maria Zelinda Romano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Napoli, Italy; (A.B.); (M.R.A.); (M.Z.R.); (S.B.); (F.G.); (S.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Serena Boccella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Napoli, Italy; (A.B.); (M.R.A.); (M.Z.R.); (S.B.); (F.G.); (S.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Sara Falvo
- Dipartimento di Science e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 81100 Caserta, Italy;
| | - Francesca Guida
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Napoli, Italy; (A.B.); (M.R.A.); (M.Z.R.); (S.B.); (F.G.); (S.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Francesco Aniello
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli Studi di Napoli “Federico II”, 80126 Napoli, Italy;
| | - Sabatino Maione
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Napoli, Italy; (A.B.); (M.R.A.); (M.Z.R.); (S.B.); (F.G.); (S.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Massimo Venditti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Napoli, Italy; (A.B.); (M.R.A.); (M.Z.R.); (S.B.); (F.G.); (S.M.); (S.M.)
| | - Sergio Minucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università degli Studi della Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Napoli, Italy; (A.B.); (M.R.A.); (M.Z.R.); (S.B.); (F.G.); (S.M.); (S.M.)
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