Apocynin Ameliorates Testicular Toxicity in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats by Regulating Oxidative Stress

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of apocynin (APC), an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase (NOX), on high-fat diet (HF)induced testis cytotoxicity.Methods: Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups as control, HF and HF+APC groups. Rats in HF and HF+APC groups were fed using HF for 16 weeks and in the last four weeks of this period vehicle solution or APC (25 mg/kg) was administered orally five days a week, respectively. Control group was fed with standart lab chow for 16 weeks. Cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoproteins, leptin, estrogen, testosterone, LH and FSH were estimated in blood serum. Sperm parameters were analysed from the epididymis. Testicular malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-2deoxyguanosine, glutathione, superoxide dismutase and myeloperoxidase levels were estimated biochemically. Testicular morphology, proliferative, apoptotic and NOX2-positive cells were analysed histologically.Results: HF-induced obesity caused significant alterations in serum lipid and hormone profiles. Testicular malondialdehyde, 8-hydroxy-2deoxyguanosine, and myeloperoxidase levels increased, glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels decreased in this group. Moreover, altered sperm parameters, increased degenerated seminiferous tubules, apoptotic and NOX2 - positive cells and decreased proliferative cells were observed in the HF group. All these biochemical and histological alterations improved in the HF+APC group.Conclusion: HF-induced obesity causes altreations in lipid values, sperm parameters and testicular morphology by increasing oxidative stress through NOX2 activity. Apocynin might prevent testis damage via regulating oxidant/antioxidant balance.