Quercetin-loaded on whey protein improves male fertility parameters and atherogenic indices of rats on a western-style diet

Abstract

The western-style diet, characterized by high fat-high fructose (HF/HFr) intake, induces alteration in spermatogenesis and testicular functions by atherogenic indices derangement and oxidative stress. The antioxidant properties of Quercetin (Quer) are proved; however, it has some adverse effects on male fertility parameters. So, this study aimed to investigate the protective effect of a biocompatible carrier (whey protein coated with black seed oil) as a new drug delivery system to encapsulate the Quer on atherogenic indices, insulin sensitivity, sperm parameters, and testicular function alterations induced by a western-style diet in male rats. Abnormal testicular epithelium with detached and swelled germ cells, alterations in the ratio of the spermatogenic cells, increased percentage of apoptotic cells (TUNEL-positive), and abnormalities in sperm parameters were observed in the male rats on a western-style diet. Treated groups with the free Pro-gel (whey protein gel) and Pro-gel-Quer (Quer loaded on whey protein gel) showed significant recovery of the germ cells and reduction in the TUNEL-positive cell number. There was a significant increase in the atherogenic index TG/HDL-C, serum FBS, insulin, and HOMA-IR, but the decrease in testosterone levels in the model groups (p < 0.05). However, these parameters reached near to the control in the Pro-gel-Quer-treated one compared with the free Quer and Pro-gel groups. Nutritional transition to the HF-HFr diets has deleterious effects on the testicular function and sperm parameters. Quer, as an antioxidant, loaded on whey protein is a new biocompatible antioxidant-therapy in male fertility and lipid profile complications induced by the western-style diet.