ABSTRACT
Androgen deprivation can be achieved through testosterone antagonists (chemical castration) with or without orchidectomy. We use a rat model to characterize hippocampal structural and functional changes that might be associated with a subset population of androgen deprived insulin-resistant patients. Adult male Wistar rats assigned into six (6) groups: control group (distilled water/sham), orchiectomy group (bilateral orchiectomy), flutamide group (oral flutamide; 11 mg/kg body weight), diabetes group (multiple low-dose of streptozotocin (STZ; 30 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally), orchiectomy and diabetic group (bilateral orchiectomy with 30 mg/kg body weight of STZ), and orchiectomy/diabetic/flutamide group (bilateral orchiectomy with 30 mg/kg body weight of STZ with 11 mg/kg body weight of flutamide). Animals were sacrificed at 30 and 60 days respectively. Spatial learning and working memory behavior were assessed; while total plasma; testosterone, insulin levels, and fasting blood glucose were assayed; the Homeostasis model for insulin resistance was also calculated. Histological examinations by H&E and CFV, while immunohistochemical analysis of astrocytes, P53 protein, and NSE were performed. Androgen deprived insulin-resistant state caused altered learning and cognitive behavior through decreased percentage correct alternation to an increased escape latency period. Significant bidirectional correlates exist between the hormonal profiles relative to the control group (p < 0.05), especially in the 60 days post-orchiectomy. While histological and immunohistochemical data indicate microcellular derangement. That the summate effects of androgen deprivation and impaired insulin signaling exacerbate hippocampal neurodegenerative changes that merit further studies.
Subject(s)
Hippocampus/metabolism , Insulin Resistance/physiology , Memory, Short-Term/physiology , Spatial Learning/physiology , Androgen Antagonists/pharmacology , Animals , Astrocytes/metabolism , Blood Glucose , Flutamide/pharmacology , Hippocampus/drug effects , Insulin/blood , Male , Memory, Short-Term/drug effects , Neurons/metabolism , Orchiectomy , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Spatial Learning/drug effects , Testosterone/bloodABSTRACT
Telfairia occidentalis (TO), commonly called Pumpkin is a plant with numerous medicinal values. Here we investigated the effects of Telfairia occidentalis aqueous leaves extract on the testis of Adult Male Wistar Rats (Rattus novergicus). Thirty-Five (35) adult male rats were grouped into seven (7) containing five (n = 5) rats in each group. Group A served as control, group B and C received 100 mg/kg body weight of Telfairia occidentalis for two and four weeks respectively, group D and E received 200 mg/kg body weight of Telfairia occidentalis for two and four weeks respectively, while group F and G received 300 mg/kg body weight of Telfairia occidentalis for two and four weeks respectively. Serum testosterone levels, testicular histomorphometry, Semen and histological analysis were observed. A dose dependent significant (P < 0.05) decrease in testosterone levels was observed in groups F and G when compared to control. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in sperm parameters and histomorphometric analysis were observed, while histological analysis showed an massive improvement in the cytoarchitecture of the seminiferous tubule at low doses but at high doses, it distorted seminiferous tubules cytoarhitecture when compared to the control group. In conclusion, the study showed that low doses of T. occidentalis leaf extract over a period of time had spermatogenic and testiculoprotective properties while at high doses, its spermatotoxic properties were observed.
