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Quercetin-Loaded Avocado Oil Nanoemulsion Reverses High-fat and High-carbohydrate Diet-Induced Testicular
Hamidreza Mazangi1, Negar Panahi1, Saeed Hesaraki2
1Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Background:
High-fat and high-carbohydrate diets (HF) can negatively affect male reproductive function, impairing spermatogenesis and testosterone production. Quercetin (Qu) may mitigate testicular damage, but its effectiveness is limited by poor bioavailability. Avocado oil (AO) improves blood lipid levels and enhances the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients.
Objectives:
We explore the impact of AO combined with quercetin on weight gain, dyslipidemia, hormonal dysregulation, testicular oxidative stress, and NPY signaling, all induced by a HF diet, to highlight testicular dysfunction and metabolic disorders.
Methods:
A nanoemulsion of avocado oil containing quercetin (NAOQu) was developed as an oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsion, utilizing the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value and conducting stability assessments, followed by characterization (DLS, Zeta potential, and TEM). Thirty rats were fed an HF diet for 8 weeks and treated with either Qu, a nanoemulsion of avocado oil (NAO), or NAOQu. Body weight was determined, and serum was analyzed for triglycerides (TG), cholesterol, HDL, and testosterone levels. Testicular homogenates were assessed for malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and cholesterol. Hypothalamic NPY mRNA expression was quantified using qPCR.
Results:
The NAOQu (1% Qu, 1:1 avocado: Coconut oil) exhibited a stable, spherical morphology with a particle size of 286.7 nm, a zeta potential of -25.8 mV, and enhanced physical stability. The NAOQu significantly reduced body weight, improved lipid profiles (lowering TG and cholesterol while increasing HDL), and restored testosterone levels by 85% compared to high-fat diet (HFD) controls and reduced testicular MDA by 62% while increasing GSH and SOD activities by 2.3-fold and 1.8-fold, respectively. Molecular analyses revealed decreased testicular cholesterol levels and downregulated NPY mRNA expression, indicating reduced metabolic stress.
Conclusions:
The combined NAOQu formulation showed greater protective effects than Qu or AO alone, suggesting a synergistic effect. These findings highlight the potential of avocado oil-based nanoemulsion as an effective delivery system for Qu, offering a novel therapeutic strategy to counteract HF-induced male reproductive dysfunction and metabolic disease.
Insights
A novel avocado oil nanoemulsion with quercetin (NAOQu) effectively combats high-fat diet effects on male reproduction and metabolism. This formulation improves lipid profiles, restores testosterone, and reduces oxidative stress, offering a promising therapeutic strategy.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Nutritional Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- High-fat and high-carbohydrate diets (HF) negatively impact male reproductive health, affecting sperm production and testosterone levels.
- Quercetin (Qu) shows potential in mitigating testicular damage but suffers from poor bioavailability.
- Avocado oil (AO) aids in improving blood lipids and enhancing the absorption of fat-soluble nutrients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of avocado oil combined with quercetin on metabolic and reproductive parameters in rats fed a high-fat diet.
- To evaluate the impact on weight gain, dyslipidemia, hormonal imbalance, testicular oxidative stress, and Neuropeptide Y (NPY) signaling.
- To highlight the potential of a novel nanoemulsion delivery system for quercetin.
Main Methods:
- Development of a stable avocado oil-in-water nanoemulsion containing quercetin (NAOQu).
- Administration of NAOQu, quercetin alone, or avocado oil nanoemulsion to rats fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks.
- Analysis of body weight, serum lipid profiles (triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL), testosterone, testicular oxidative stress markers (MDA, GSH, SOD), testicular cholesterol, and hypothalamic NPY mRNA expression.
Main Results:
- The NAOQu formulation demonstrated enhanced physical stability and particle characteristics.
- NAOQu significantly reduced body weight, improved lipid profiles, and restored testosterone levels by 85% compared to controls.
- Treatment with NAOQu decreased testicular oxidative stress markers (MDA, GSH, SOD), reduced testicular cholesterol, and downregulated NPY mRNA expression.
Conclusions:
- The nanoemulsion delivery system (NAOQu) significantly enhanced the protective effects of quercetin against high-fat diet-induced testicular dysfunction and metabolic disorders.
- A synergistic effect was observed, with NAOQu showing greater efficacy than quercetin or avocado oil alone.
- Avocado oil-based nanoemulsions represent a promising strategy for delivering quercetin to counteract male reproductive dysfunction and metabolic disease.
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