Sericin and melatonin mitigate diethylnitrosamine-instigated testicular impairment in mice: Implications of oxidative stress, spermatogenesis, steroidogenesis, and modulation of Nrf2/WT1/SF-1 signaling pathways.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DEN | increase | lipid peroxidation | male Swiss albino mice | remarkable increase | exhibited | #1 |
DEN | decrease | SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH, GSH:GSSG, and GST | male Swiss albino mice | substantial diminutions | substantial diminutions in | #2 |
DEN | decrease | spermatozoa integrity, testosterone, FSH, LH, melatonin, and its receptors (MT1 and MT2) levels | male Swiss albino mice | - | disrupted | #3 |
sericin and melatonin | increase | these disturbances | male Swiss albino mice | - | significantly restored | #4 |
combination therapy of sericin and melatonin | increase | Nrf2, WT1, and SF-1 expressions | male Swiss albino mice | - | noticeably augmented | #5 |
sericin and melatonin | no change | testicular structures | male Swiss albino mice | - | evident maintenance of | #6 |
sericin and melatonin | decrease | testicular tissues from oxidative stress and dysregulated spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis | male Swiss albino mice | - | alleviated | #7 |
AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic influence of combination therapy with sericin and melatonin on attenuating diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-instigated testicular dysfunction in mice and defining the molecular mechanisms involved in orchestrating redox signaling pathways and restoring spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Different groups of male Swiss albino mice were established and injected with respective drugs intraperitoneally. Semen analysis, hormonal assays, and oxidative stress biomarkers were evaluated. Additionally, melatonin and its receptors, WT1, SF-1, vimentin, Nrf2, and ANXA1 expressions were assessed. Histopathological and ultrastructural features of the testes were investigated by semithin, SEM, and TEM analyses. KEY FINDINGS: Exposure to DEN exhibited pathophysiological consequences, including a remarkable increase in lipid peroxidation associated with substantial diminutions in SOD, CAT, GPx, GSH, GSH:GSSG, and GST. Furthermore, it disrupted spermatozoa integrity, testosterone, FSH, LH, melatonin, and its receptors (MT1 and MT2) levels, implying spermatogenesis dysfunction. By contrast, treatment with sericin and melatonin significantly restored these disturbances. Interestingly, the combination therapy of sericin and melatonin noticeably augmented the Nrf2, WT1, and SF-1 expressions compared to DEN-treated mice, deciphering the amelioration perceived in antioxidant defense and spermatogenesis inside cells. Furthermore, immunohistochemical detection of ANXA1 alongside histopathological and ultrastructural analyses revealed evident maintenance of testicular structures without discernible inflammation or anomalies in mice administered with sericin and melatonin compared to the DEN-treated group. SIGNIFICANCE: Our findings highlighted that treatment with sericin and melatonin alleviated the testicular tissues in mice from oxidative stress and dysregulated spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis engendered by DEN.