Influence of quercetin on morphological changes in rats testes after 180 days during central deprivation of luteinizing hormone

Abstract

A relevant and popular area of research is the protective effect of the bioflavonoid quercetin, which makes it possible to use it to correct testicular dysfunction of various origins. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of quercetin on the microscopic organization of rat testicles, nitric oxide production and the intensity of oxidative stress in rat testicles on the 180th day of the experiment, during experimental central deprivation of luteinizing hormone synthesis caused by triptorelin solution. The experiment was performed on 20 adult male white rats. Rats were divided into 2 groups of 10 animals in each group: control group (I), group with central deprivation of LH synthesis + quercetin (II). Animals from the group with central deprivation of LH synthesis were injected subcutaneously with triptorelin acetate at a dose of 0.3 mg of active substance per kg and quercetin 100 mg per kg of body weight 3 times a week, while the control group was injected with saline. Ultrathin sections made by ultramicrotome were contrasted with 1 % aqueous uranyl acetate and lead citrate according to the Reynolds method and examined by electron microscopy. According to standard methods, the material was poured into paraffin blocks, from which sections with a thickness of 4 μm were made and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Histological specimens were examined using a Вiorex 3 light microscope with a digital microfilter with software adapted for these studies. All biochemical studies were performed in 10 % of testicular tissue homogenate using a Ulab 101 spectrophotometer. Statistical processing of the study results was performed using Microsoft Office Excel software and Real Statistics 2019 extension. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney test was used to determine the statistical significance of differences between groups. Our study of the interstitial space in the testes of white rats showed the heterogeneity of populations of endocrinocytes and macrophages and the variability of structural and functional parameters. In the tissues of the testes in conditions of prolonged central deprivation of testosterone synthesis develops oxidative stress, which on the 180th day of the experiment leads to the development of edema of the interstitial space, followed by tissue fibrosis. Changes in the polarization of macrophages in our opinion may cause oxidative stress in the testes, as evidenced by increased iNOS activity and decreased arginase activity, but use of quercetin protects rat testicular tissue from oxidative damage caused by triptorelin by increasing direct antioxidant system and effects on the lipoxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism.