RESUMO
High plasma levels of cholesterol or triglycerides were accompanied by testicular dysfunction, besides being a high risk factor for coronary and cerebrovascular diseases. The aim of the study was to investigate the histological effect of Ocimum gratissimum on the testes of rats with tyloxapol-induced hyperlipidemia as well as investigate its effect on androgen receptor [AR] and proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA] distribution as a molecular biomarker for spermatogenesis. Twenty-four adult male albino rats were used and divided into four equal groups: the control group [group I]; the group treated with crude aqueous extract of O. gratissimum [group II]; the tyloxapol-injected group [group III]; and the group injected with tyloxapol followed by treatment with O. gratissimum [group IV]. The rats were anesthetized at the time of sacrifice; thereafter, blood samples were collected to estimate the lipid profile levels, and the testis specimens were examined histologically and immunohistochemically for AR and PCNA. The present results showed a significant increase in the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein and a decrease in the levels of high-density lipoprotein in the tyloxapol-injected group [hyperlipidemic rats] with histological changes in the form of loss of normal distribution of spermatogenic cells, vacuolation, diminution of germinal epithelium, and sloughing of germ cells into the tubular lumen with acidophilic material in the interstitial tissues when compared with the control group. Immunohistochemical study showed a significant decrease in the intensity of AR immunostaining in Sertoli, Leydig, and peritubular myoid cells and in the number of PCNA immunopositive germ cells; the index PCNA values were also significantly decreased in tyloxapol-injected rats in comparison with controls. O. gratissimum administration after tyloxapol injection induced a significant reduction in lipid profile with marked improvement in testicular histological changes as well as increase in the number of AR and PCNA immunopositive cells. This study revealed that AR and PCNA indexing can be used as a preclinical biomarker for testicular changes in hyperlipidemic states. The extract of O. gratissimum leaves provides effective hypolipidemic activity and exerts significant improvement in combating the harmful effects of hyperlipidemia on the rat testes