Chrysin Administration Protects against Oxidative Damage in Varicocele‐Induced Adult Rats

Abstract

Oxidative stress is known as the leading factor responsible for varicocele-related infertility and for that reason, many antioxidant therapies have been proposed. Considering that, we evaluated the reproductive outcomes and fertility of varicocelized rats and the impact of chrysin within these parameters. The animals were allocated into three groups: sham (control), varicocele treated via gavage with 50 mg/kg/day of chrysin (V1), or vehicle (V2) for 56 days. Chrysin treatment prevented oxidative damage resulting from varicocele by decreasing testicular concentrations of malondialdehyde and sperm DNA fragmentation. It also improved histological aspect of the testis and maintained morphometric parameters similar to the sham group. Furthermore, there were no differences in body and reproductive organ weights, histopathological analysis of epididymis, sperm counts and morphology, testosterone levels, sexual behavior, and fertility parameters among experimental groups. Our results reinforce the idea that injuries provoked by experimental varicocele are related, at least in part, to oxidative stress. Moreover, varicocele showed bilateral deleterious effects without interfering with fertility. Chrysin administration significantly ameliorated sperm parameters, protecting the reproductive system against varicocele damages. For that reason, chrysin might be an alternative adjuvant therapy to improve sperm quality in men presenting this condition.

NLRP3 Inflammasome: A New Pharmacological Target for Reducing Testicular Damage Associated with Varicocele

“…Among the medical approaches in support to surgery, many bioactive natural compounds are being increasingly used for therapeutics and nutraceutical applications in experimental models of varicocele. Among them, the effects of Morinda officinalis , resveratrol, crysin, selenium, ghrelin, silymarin, berberin, Schisandra chinensis and lycopene were evaluated owing to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities [ 12 , 23 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 ]. Furthermore, our group evaluated the effects of PDRN alone and administration in experimental varicocele, demonstrating an increase in testicular angiogenesis mediated by the modulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) -a [ 17 ] and CD-34 [ 18 ] and an inhibition of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), such as neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP) and survivin [ 33 ].…”

Chrysin protects against renal ischemia reperfusion induced tubular cell apoptosis and inflammation in mice

“…Chrysin is a bioflavonoid with anti-inflammatory (15,16), anti-oxidant (17) and anti-carcinogenic (18) properties. In this study, a renal IR model was established in mice and pretreated with chrysin.…”

The Cardiovascular Protective Effects of Chrysin: A Narrative Review on Experimental Researches

“…In this context, the antioxidant properties of chrysin and its effects on cardiovascular problems have been investigated [36, 37]. The direct and indirect antioxidant effects of chrysin on cardiovascular tissue have been demonstrated [38, 39]. The antioxidant effect of chrysin is mostly due to its redox activities, donating an electron/hydrogen atom, quenching singlet oxygen molecule and its metal chelating potential [40].…”