Effect of Exendin-4 on Testicular Function in Diabetic Rats: A Possible Role of Visfatin
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- Category: Vol. 85, December 2017
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Effect of Exendin-4 on Testicular Function in Diabetic Rats: A Possible Role of Visfatin, NERMEEN B. SADEK, NANCY F. SAMIR and LAILA A. RASHED
Abstract
Background: Despite the wide use of exendin-4 as one of most effective type 2 diabetic therapies, its possible effect on testicular function in diabetes is still unknown.
Aim of the Study: Our aim is to evaluate the effect of exendin-4 on testicular function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and the possible underlying mechanisms in relation to visfatin expression and oxidative stress.
Methods: Four groups were used (8 rats each): Control, exendin-4 treated, diabetic, and exendin-4 treated diabetic. Fasting serum glucose, insulin and testosterone were investi-gated. Testis and epididymis were excised for measurement of Malondialdehyde (MDA) level, Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) activity, visfatin and 17B-Hydroxysteroid Dehydroge-nase (17B-HSD) gene expression and sperm count.
Results: Exendin-4 treated diabetic rats showed a signif-icant decline in oxidative stress parameters and a significant improvement in testosterone level, 17B-HSD gene expression and sperm count. Visfatin gene expression in testicular tissue after exendin-4 treatment showed a significant reduction, which is negatively correlated with testicular function param-eters and SOD activity and positively correlated with MDA.
Conclusion: These findings suggest a possible role of exendin-4 in improvement of testicular function and oxidative stress in diabetes. Moreover, it highlighted the role of visfatin which may need further investigations.