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Carob attenuates nicotine-induced oxidative stress and intratesticular damage in male rats
Unal Oztekin1, Mehmet Caniklioglu1, Fatih Firat2
1Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Yozgat Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey.
Abstract:
In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of carob extract against intratesticular histological, apoptotic, biochemical and spermatogenic changes in rats exposed to nicotine. Twenty-eight rats were divided into four groups and were administered saline, nicotine, carob, or nicotine + carob once a day for 35 days. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), GSH, total anti-oxidative status (TAS), total oxidative status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), IL-6, TNF-α and seminal parameters were evaluated. Johnsen's testicular histopathological examination, factor VIII protein (angiogenesis marker) and the number of apoptotic cells were determined in the testicular tissues. The spermatogenic and histopathological examination revealed that nicotine + carob group had significant positive changes in seminal parameters, Johnsen score, apoptotic cell count and factor VIII protein compared to nicotine group. Biochemical test results indicated that the nicotine + carob group had significantly lower TAS levels compared to the control group; however, those levels were higher than those of the nicotine group. Nicotine caused a significant increase in IL-6 and TNF-α levels compared to the control group, but carob seems to significantly counteract that increase. In conclusion, carob extract had positive effects on spermatogenesis and reduced testicular parenchymal damage, apoptosis and angiogenesis.
Insights
Carob extract improved rat testicular health, reducing nicotine-induced damage, apoptosis, and angiogenesis. This study highlights carob
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Toxicology
- Natural Product Research
Background:
- Nicotine exposure negatively impacts male reproductive health.
- Oxidative stress and inflammation play key roles in nicotine-induced testicular damage.
- Natural antioxidants may offer protective effects against reproductive toxicants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of carob extract against nicotine-induced testicular damage in rats.
- To evaluate the impact of carob on histological, apoptotic, biochemical, and spermatogenic parameters.
- To assess carob's ability to mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Rats were divided into four groups: control, nicotine, carob, and nicotine + carob.
- Treatments were administered daily for 35 days.
- Evaluated parameters included seminal analysis, testicular histology, apoptosis markers, oxidative stress markers (SOD, CAT, GSH-PX, GSH, TAS, TOS, OSI), and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α).
Main Results:
- Carob extract significantly improved seminal parameters, Johnsen score, and reduced apoptotic cells and angiogenesis in nicotine-exposed rats.
- Carob counteracted nicotine-induced increases in oxidative stress and inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α).
- Biochemical analysis showed carob extract modulated total antioxidant status (TAS) levels.
Conclusions:
- Carob extract demonstrates significant protective effects against nicotine-induced testicular toxicity.
- Carob extract ameliorates spermatogenic dysfunction, testicular damage, apoptosis, and angiogenesis.
- Carob holds potential as a therapeutic agent for managing male reproductive health issues linked to nicotine exposure and oxidative stress.
