Down-regulation of steroidogenesis-related genes and its accompanying fertility decline in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats: ameliorative effect of metformin

BACKGROUND

Metformin has long been used for glycemic control in diabetic state. Recently, other benefits of metformin beyond blood glucose regulation have emerged.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effect of metformin on the expression of testicular steroidogenesis-related genes, spermatogenesis, and fertility of male diabetic rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups, namely normal control (NC), diabetic control (DC), and metformin-treated (300 mg/kg body weight/day) diabetic rats (D+Met). Diabetes was induced using a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg b.w.), followed by oral treatment with metformin for four weeks.

RESULTS

Diabetes decreased serum and intratesticular testosterone levels and increased serum but not intratesticular levels of luteinizing hormone. Sperm count, motility, viability, and normal morphology were decreased, while sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation was increased in DC group, relative to NC group. Testicular mRNA levels of androgen receptor, luteinizing hormone receptor, cytochrome P450 enzyme (CYP11A1), steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD), and 17β-HSD, as well as the level of StAR protein and activities of CYP11A1, 3β-HSD, and 17β-HSD, were decreased in DC group. Similarly, decreased activities of epididymal antioxidant enzymes and increased lipid peroxidation were observed in DC group. Consequently, decreased litter size, fetal weight, mating and fertility indices, and increased pre- and post-implantation losses were recorded in DC group. Following intervention with metformin, we observed increases in serum and intratesticular testosterone levels, Leydig cell count, improved sperm parameters, and decreased sperm nuclear DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, mRNA levels and activities of steroidogenesis-related enzymes were increased, with improved fertility outcome.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Diabetes mellitus is associated with dysregulation of steroidogenesis, abnormal spermatogenesis, and fertility decline. Controlling hyperglycemia is therefore crucial in preserving male reproductive function. Metformin not only regulates blood glucose level, but also preserves male fertility in diabetic state.

Effect of quercetin on cadmium chloride-induced impairments in sexual behaviour and steroidogenesis in male Wistar rats

Cadmium chloride (CdCl₂ ) has been reported to cause reproductive toxicity in male rats, mainly through oxidative stress. This study examined its effect on sexual behaviour, as one of the mechanisms of reproductive dysfunction, as well as the possible ameliorative effect of quercetin (QE) on same. Thirty male Wistar rats (10 weeks old), weighing 270-300 g, were used for this study. They were either orally administered 2% DMSO, CdCl₂ (5 mg/kg b.w.), QE (20 mg/kg b.w.) or CdCl₂ +QE, once daily for 4 weeks, before sexual behavioural studies. The 5th group received CdCl₂ for 4 weeks and allowed 4-week recovery period, before sexual behavioural test. Rats were sacrificed after sexual behavioural studies. The blood, testis and penis were collected for biochemical assays. Cadmium increased mount, intromission and ejaculatory latencies, but reduced their frequencies, compared to control. Serum nitric oxide increased, while penile cyclic guanosine monophosphate reduced in the CdCl₂ -exposed rats, compared to control. CdCl₂ increased testicular cholesterol, but reduced 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and 17β-HSD activities, and testosterone concentration. QE better attenuated these negative changes compared to withdrawal of CdCl₂ treatment. In conclusion, CdCl₂ suppressed steroidogenesis, penile erection and sexual behaviour, with poor reversal following withdrawal, while QE attenuated these effects.

Frequency of Hepatitis B and C Co-Infection in Chronic Liver Disease Patients in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Hepatitis B (HBsAg) and C (HCV) virus are becoming a significant causative factors in the aetiology of chronic liver disease (CLD) worldwide. However, the information on the frequency of HBsAg and HCV virus co-infection in CLD is sparsely reported in Nigeria. In this study, we assessed the frequency of HBsAg and HCV co-infection in CLD. One hundred and eleven subjects aged 19 - 76 years, comprising of 76 CLD patients and 35 apparently healthy subjects without CLD were tested for both HBsAg and HCV virus antibodies using ELISA test kits. Out of the 111 subjects recruited for this study, 76 (68.5%) were CLD patients tested positive for HBsAg and 35 (31.5%) tested negative for HBsAg and served as control. Out of the 76 CLD patients that tested positive for HBsAg, 34 (44.7%) of them also tested positive for HCV, thus, having co-infection with HBV. Incidence of co-infection was highest in those aged 36 - 45 years, and greater in males than females. Among the control group, 4 (11.4%) of the subjects (3 males and 1 female) tested positive for HCV, while 31 (88.6%) subjects (20 males and 11 females) tested negative. This work has shown that the co-infection with HBV and HCV among chronic liver disease patients and the incidence of HCV is high in our locality. Also, some of the supposed apparently healthy subjects in this study tested positive for HCV, hence the need for improving the awareness of this virus. It is therefore necessary to give immunization and test for HBsAg and HCV in both rural and urban areas.

Sensitivity comparison between rapid one-step test strip and ELISA methods in detection of HBsAg among selected chronic liver disease patients in University of Calabar Teaching hospital, Calabar, Nigeria

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the eloquent hepatic infection that leads to hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aims to determine the frequency of HBV by screening selected chronic liver disease (CLD) patients alongside few apparently healthy subjects who might be carriers and pose a high risk in HBV transmission. This study also aims to compare the sensitivity between two diagnostic tests; one step rapid test strip device and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).Methodology: Serum of 111 subjects comprising of 76 CLD patients and 35 apparently healthy (control) subjects was screened for Hepatitis B surface Antigen (HBsAg).Results: Sero-positivity of the two methods of detecting HBsAg was higher in age group 26-35 years and the male folk was found higher in number than the females. The seropositivity of HBV was 28.8% and 81.1% while seronegativity was 71.2% and 18.9% for rapid test strip test device and ELISA test methods, respectively. All the CLD patients 76(100%) and 14 out of 35 of the apparently healthy subjects was positive for ELISA test method.Conclusion: In conclusion, comparing the two methods, ELISA test is more sensitive than one step rapid test strip device for detecting HBsAg in University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.Therefore, we recommend strongly, thatELISA method be used to confi rm test results obtained from the one step rapid test strip,when screen for CLD.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v6i5.11851 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.6(5) 2015 56-60    

Aqueous seed extract of Cola nitida rubra reduces serum reproductive hormone concentrations and sperm count in adult male albino Wistar rats

Background:

Following the high rate of consumption of Cola nitida (cola nut) among the male population in Nigeria, this study seeks to determine the effects of consumption of Cola nitida on serum reproductive hormones and sperm count, which are major determinants of male fertility.

Materials and Methods:

Thirty-two male albino wistar rats weighing 180-220 g were used for this study and were divided into 4 groups of eight animals each. Group 1 served as control, group 2 received 2 mg/kg Cola nitida extract (Test 1), group 3 received 6 mg/kg Cola nitida extract (Test 2) and group 4 received 10 mg/kg Cola nitida extract (Test 3). After 6 weeks of treatment, reproductive hormonal assay was carried out using the rat serum. Epididymal spermatozoa were collected and sperm count determined.

Results:

Serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone were significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in test 2 and 3, compared with control. Sperm count was significantly lower in test group 1 (P < 0.05), 2 (P < 0.001) and 3 (P < 0.001) compared with control, with test 3 significantly (P < 0.05) lower compared with test 1. There was no significant difference in testicular and epididymis weight in the different experimental groups studied.

Conclusion:

Aqueous seed extract of Cola nitida rubra resulted in reduced serum reproductive hormone concentrations and sperm count in male wistar rats, and may therefore be detrimental to reproductive health, hence the need for regulation of its consumption.