Author
Ministry of Education, General Directorate of Al-Qadisiyah Education, Iraq
Abstract
Abstract
Diabetes is one of the most common chronic metabolic diseases affecting testicular function, hormone production, and spermatogenesis. Cyclosporine, on the other hand, is a drug widely used as an effective immunosuppressant in organ transplantation; however, it has been directly linked to adverse effects on body tissues, including the male reproductive system. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that protects lipid membranes and proteins from oxidative cell damage. Diabetes is also one of the most common chronic conditions affecting testicular function, hormone production, and spermatogenesis. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms linking cyclosporine exposure to diabetes and reproductive dysfunction require further experimental studies. miR-21-5p is one of the microRNAs important in regulating cellular processes; therefore, changes in testicular tissue are likely associated with its expression.
The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the expression of miR-21-5p in testicular tissue in male rats with diabetes and those treated with cyclosporine, to investigate the protective effect of vitamin C, and to examine its relationship with indicators of reproductive function. miR-21-5p expression was assessed using qRT-PCR, alongside measurements of glucose, insulin, testosterone, LH, TNF-α, IL-6, MDA, and CAT in serum. These parameters were compared across the study groups, which comprised 32 male white rats weighing 210 ± 20 g. They were randomly allocated to four groups in which diabetes was induced by a high-fat diet (for 4 weeks) and subsequently treated with a reduced dose of streptozotocin at a concentration of 35 mg/kg for two weeks, except the first group: (C), which comprised animals given 1 ml of distilled water throughout the experiment; the second group (T1), which comprised animals in which diabetes was induced only during the experiment; the third group (T2), which comprised animals in which diabetes was induced and which were subsequently administered cyclosporine at a concentration of (100 mg/kg)of body weight for 28 days; and the third group: T3, comprising animals in which diabetes was induced and which were administered cyclosporine at a concentration of (100 mg/kg) of body weight, followed by vitamin C at a concentration of (100 mg/kg) of body weight for 28 days.
The results showed a statistically significant decrease in the expression of miR-21-5p and the levels of testosterone, LH, and SOD, alongside an increase in MDA, TNF-α, and IL-6 in groups T1 and T2 compared with group T3, which showed an improvement in the aforementioned parameters.
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