Effects of thymoquinone on testicular structure and sperm production in male obese rats

Abstract

Thymoquinone (TQ) is a phytochemical compound found in the plant Nigella sativa. It has antioxidant and anti-cancer effects. This study investigated the effects of TQ on obesity and testicular structure of high-fat-diet (HFD) fed rats. Obese control (OC) and obese thymoquinone (OT) groups were fed a special diet containing 40% of total calories from fat. Non-obese control (NC) and non-thymoquinone (NT) groups were fed a standard diet for nine weeks. Then, intraperitoneal TQ injections were carried out to the OT and NT groups for six weeks and testes were removed. Catalase and myeloperoxidase activity were determined in rat testis tissue. Stereological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical changes were evaluated in the testes of the rats. In stereological studies, mean volumes of testis and seminiferous tubules, the number of spermatogenic cells and also Leydig cells in the OC group were reduced, but these values significantly increased in the OT group. Apoptotic cells were observed in the OC group in comparison to the OT group. The number of healthy sperms were reduced in the OC group, whereas the majority showed anomalies in the head, neck, and tail. The number of healthy sperm was increased and the anomalies significantly reduced by using TQ in both the NT, and especially the OT group. TQ like antioxidants may improve fertility by means of increasing the healthy sperm number and preventing sperm anomalies.

Protective Role of Eurycoma longifolia Jack Root Extract Against High-Fat Diet Induced Testicular Damage in Sprague-Dawley Rats

“…22 Atrophied seminiferous tubuli were also observed in HFD treated rats associated disconnection of the degenerated STs from the interstitial wall with increased area of the connective tissue and remarkable apoptotic activity in Leydig and Sertoli cells. 9 Vacuolar alterations in seminiferous tubules, spermatogenic cell dysfunction, and increased apoptosis of spermatogenic cells in testicular tissue was also observed in HFD treated rats. 23 Currently, many herbal medicines therapeutic available been recommended for the treatment of obesity.…”

“…8 Nigella sativa enhance fertility by means of increasing the healthy sperm number and preventing sperm anomalies in HFD fed rats. 9 Cinnamon significantly reduced the cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein levels and increased high-density lipoprotein in rats fed with a high cholesterol diet "HCD" and improved the disorganized and shrinking of the seminiferous tubules of those received only the HCD. 10 Eurycoma longifolia "EL" (publically known as Tongkat Ali) is a herbal medicinal plant found in South-East Asia, It is a small rain forest flowering, un-branched, medium-sized slender shrub.…”

RETRACTED: Cinnamomum zeylanicum alleviate testicular damage induced by high fat diet in albino rats; histological and ultrastructural studies

“…G omez-Elías et al (2019) found that animals fed HFD recorded an increase in the body weight, the amounts of gonadal fat and cause hypercholesterolemia and decrease sperm count. Diets riche in cholesterol increased germ cell apoptotic activity, of the Leydig, Sertoli, and peritubular myoid cells, and affect the main steps in sperm development (Tüfek et al, 2015;Sim on et al, 2017). Pinto-Fochi et al (2016) found that HFD reduces the functional capacity of Leydig cells and induces hypoandrogenism.…”

BLACK CUMIN (Nigella sativa) AND ITS ACTIVE COMPONENT OF THYMOQUINONE: EFFECTS ON HEALTH

“…Thymoquinone, which is one of the most important bioactive components of N. sativa and is responsible for its many biological effects, was first synthesised in 1959 and it was reported that thymoquinone exists as a volatile oil in a proportion of 18.4%-24.0% (Ali & Blunden, 2003;Burits & Bucar, 2000;Yüncü, Şahin, Bayat, & İbrahim, 2013). Other analyses have indicated that the concentration of thymoquinone is 52.6 mg/100 g and 20.13 mg/100 g (Tüfek, Altunkaynak, Altunkaynak, & Kaplan, 2015).…”