Abstract
AimThis study investigated the impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) loaded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as HAART-AgNPs on the sperm count, viability, serum hormonal profile, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1), and testicular ultrastructure. MethodsThirty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into diabetic and non-diabetic groups (n = 18). The rats in the diabetic group were induced experimental type 2 diabetes using fructose and streptozotocin (frt-STZ). Animals in both groups were subdivided into three groups each, A-C and DF (n = 6), and received distilled water, HAART, and HAART-AgNP, respectively. FindingsTreatment with HAART-AgNP displayed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testicular IGF-1 in diabetic rats. Also, electron microscopy revealed ameliorated testicular ultrastructure upon administration of HAART-AgNP in diabetic rats that were previously marked with architectural and cellular alterations. In addition, treatment with HAART-AgNP significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the blood glucose levels of diabetic rats. In contrast, the treatment of non-diabetic rats with HAART caused a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the sperm count, serum GnRH, and testicular IGF-1, however, this treatment induced ultrastructural changes and a significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum testosterone levels in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. SignificanceThis study has demonstrated the beneficial impact of HAART-AgNP on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, IGF-1, and testicular architecture in male frt-STZ induced diabetic rats. This nanoconjugate could be a potential nano-drug candidate to cater for testicular dysfunction and metabolic derangements while managing HIV-infected male individuals.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.