Studies on testicular ultrastructural and hormonal changes in type-2 diabetic rats treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy conjugated silver nanoparticles

Aim: This study investigated the impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) loaded silver nano particles (AgNPs) as HAART-AgNPs on the sperm count, viability, serum hormonal profile, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1), and testicular ultrastructure. Methods: Thirty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into diabetic and non-diabetic groups (n = 18). The rats in the diabetic group were induced experimental type 2 diabetes using fructose and streptozotocin (frt-STZ). Animals in both groups were subdivided into three groups each, A-C and D-F (n = 6), and received distilled water, HAART, and HAART-AgNP, respectively. Findings: Treatment with HAART-AgNP displayed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum gonadotropinreleasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testicular IGF1 in diabetic rats. Also, electron microscopy revealed ameliorated testicular ultrastructure upon administration of HAART-AgNP in diabetic rats that were previously marked with architectural and cellular alterations. In addition, treatment with HAART-AgNP significantly reduced (p < 0.05) the blood glucose levels of diabetic rats. In contrast, the treatment of non-diabetic rats with HAART caused a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the sperm count, serum GnRH, and testicular IGF-1, however, this treatment induced ultrastructural changes and a significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum testosterone levels in diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Significance: This study has demonstrated the beneficial impact of HAART-AgNP on the hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal axis, IGF-1, and testicular architecture in male frt-STZ induced diabetic rats. This nanoconjugate could be a potential nano-drug candidate to cater for testicular dysfunction and metabolic derangements while managing HIV-infected male individuals.

Automated summary

This study investigated the impact of HAART-AgNP on male rats with diabetes. It was found that HAART-AgNP treatment significantly increased hormone levels and improved testicular structure in diabetic rats. However, in non-diabetic rats, HAART treatment reduced sperm count and testicular IGF-1 levels, and caused structural changes.