Effect of phytocomposition based on B. vulgaris, C. bergamia, D. villosa and L. meyenii on the state of the germinal epithelium of rat testes on a high-fat diet

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Abstract

Introduction. Plant biologically active compounds are considered as potential means of correcting reproductive function in obesity, but the molecular and cellular mechanisms of their action remain poorly understood.

The purpose of the study. To study the effect of a phytocomposition (PC) based on extracts of bergamot fruit (Citrus Bergamia), dioscorea rhizome (wild yam, Dioscorea Villosa), barberry fruit (Berberis Vulgaris) and Peruvian maca root (Lepidium Meyenii) on the state of the germinal epithelium of rats kept on a standard diet (SD) or a high-fat diet (HFD).

Material and methods. Male Wistar rats (n=63) were divided into 8 groups (Gr). During 4 and 7 weeks, animals Gr1 and G5, respectively, received SD (the proportion of fat in total calories was 11%), Gr2 and Gr6 – SD + PC, Gr3 and G7 – HFD (the proportion of fat in total calories was 36%), Gr4 and Gr8 – HFD + PC. After removing the animals from the experiment, histological sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin to study the morphology of the testes. An indirect streptavidin peroxidase method was used for the immunohistochemical study.

Results. After 4 weeks of keeping rats on HFD, a decrease in Ki-67 and vimentin expression, a 60% increase in caspase 3 expression, a 22% decrease in the number of Leydig cells were found in the testes; after 7 weeks, the revealed shifts were joined by a decrease in tubule diameter by 18% and a decrease in the height of the germinal epithelium by 25%. Simultaneous administration of PC partially compensated for the revealed disorders in HFD, the most pronounced effect on the increase in expression was found for vimentin.

Conclusion. HFD causes degeneration of the testes, disrupting the balance of proliferation and apoptosis, FC has a protective effect, increasing proliferation and reducing apoptosis, preserving the structure of tubules and cellular composition.

About the authors

Anna M. Sinyavskaya

FSBSI “Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine”

Author for correspondence.
Email: an.sadykova@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0004-3245-483X

Researcher at the Laboratory of Structural Foundations of the Pathogenesis of Socially Significant Diseases; Candidate of Medical Sciences

Russian Federation, Timakova St., 2, Novosibirsk, 630060

Il’ya Y. Deulin

FSBSI “Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine”

Email: diy@frcftm.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9470-4153

Researcher at the Laboratory for the Study of viral diseases of plants and animals

Russian Federation, Timakova St., 2, Novosibirsk, 630060

Natalia A. Palchikova

FSBSI “Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine”

Email: napalchikova@frcftm.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3093-0749

Leading Researcher at the Laboratory of Endocrinology; Doctor of Biological Sciences

Russian Federation, Timakova St., 2, Novosibirsk, 630060

Vera G. Selyatitskaya

FSBSI “Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine”

Email: vgselyatitskaya@frcftm.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-4534-7289

Chief Researcher at the Research Institute of Experimental and Clinical Medicine; Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor

Russian Federation, Timakova St., 2, Novosibirsk, 630060

Mikhail I. Voevoda

FSBSI “Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine”

Email: director@frcftm.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9425-413X

Director; Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor

Russian Federation, Timakova St., 2, Novosibirsk, 630060

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