The protective effects of Crocin on testopathy in fat-fed and streptozotocin-treated diabetic rats: An experimental study

Abstract

Background: Male hypogonadism is associated with type II diabetes mellitus due totesticular dysfunction. Medicinal plants have received considerable attention for themanagement of diabetes and its complications.Objective: The aim of present study was to evaluate the anti-diabetic and protectiveinfluence of Crocin on testopathy in diabetic rats.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, type II of diabetes mellitus wasinduced by high-fat diet and low dose of streptozotocin. Male Wistar rats (8 weeks,150–200 gr, 18 rats; n= 6 per group) were divided into a control group (standarddiet), diabetic group (streptozotocin+high-fat diet), and treatment group (High-fatdiet+streptozotocin+Crocin at 20 mg/kg/day, i.p. for 60 days). After 60 days, animalswere euthanized, testis and epididymis were dissected, and weights of testes andsperm count were analyzed. Hematoxylin-eosin-stained was done for histopathologicalexamination. Blood samples were collected for the assessment of serum glucose andcholesterol.Results: High-fat diet and streptozotocin significantly increased the serum glucoseand cholesterol levels as compared to the control group (p≤ 0. 001). Moreover, therewas a significant decrease in the weight of right (p= 0.008) and left testes (p≤ 0. 001)and also the total sperm count (p= 0.023) in the diabetic group compared with thecontrol