Histological and Immunohistochemical Examination in Testicular Tissue of Diabetic Rats Treated with Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Extract

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes induced in testicular tissue by administration of dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) extract and its effects on the release of enzymatic antioxidants SOD-2 by immunohistochemical methods in rats with experimental diabetes. Degenerative changes in the seminiferous tubule structure were observed in the testicular sections of the diabetes group. Separations between the basement membrane and the seminiferous epithelium, disruptions in the structure and localization of spermatogenic cells toward the lumen of the seminiferous tubules, thickening of the basement membrane and tunica albuginea, changes in the shape of Sertoli cells, and shrinkage of the nucleus of Leydig cells were observed. While no immunopositivity was observed in spermatogonium and primary spermatocytes in the diabetes group, weak SOD-2 immunoreactivity was observed in other cells of the spermatogenic series and moderate SOD-2 immunoreactivity was observed in the diabetes+dandelion group. In conclu-sion, it was found that histopathological changes occurred in the testicular tissue and SOD-2 immunoreactivity decreased in diabetes, a chronic metabolic disease. It was concluded that dandelion administration may have beneficial effects on decreased SOD-2 immunoreactivity.