Intermittent Fasting Ameliorates Testicular Damage via Oxidative Stress Modulation in a Genetic Absence Epilepsy Rat...

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Biology
• Neuroscience
• Metabolic Disorders

Background:

• Epilepsy is linked to impaired male reproductive function and testicular pathologies.
• Intermittent fasting (IF) offers anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits as a non-pharmacological intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the protective effects of IF on testicular damage in a genetic absence epilepsy rat model (GAERS).
• To assess IF's impact on testicular histomorphology, oxidative stress, and hormonal profiles in GAERS.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated testicular tissues from Wistar control, Wistar + IF, GAERS control, and GAERS + IF groups using histological staining (H&E, PAS).
• Assessed apoptosis and spermatogenic cell integrity via immunohistochemistry (caspase-3, PIWI, DAZL).
• Quantified Johnsen's score, seminiferous tubule diameter, epithelial thickness, oxidative stress markers, and reproductive hormone levels (Testosterone, LH, FSH).

Main Results:

• GAERS rats exhibited reduced Johnsen scores, tubular diameters, epithelial thickness, and increased apoptosis compared to controls.
• IF significantly improved histological parameters, reduced apoptosis, and increased PIWI and DAZL expression in GAERS + IF rats.
• IF ameliorated oxidative stress markers and normalized serum reproductive hormone levels, suggesting positive modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.

Conclusions:

• Intermittent fasting demonstrates protective effects against testicular damage in genetic absence epilepsy.
• IF mitigates oxidative stress and preserves testicular structure and hormonal function in this epilepsy model.
• IF presents a potential non-pharmacological strategy to support male reproductive health in individuals with epilepsy.