EFFECT OF BERBERINE HYDROCHLORID ON TESTICULAR DAMAGE IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus mediated by oxidative stress creates serious metabolic disorders in testicles. This study aimed to demonstrate the antioxidant effect of berberine hydrochlorid on testicular damage in streptozotocin induced diabetes in male rats. Methods: Thirty two, two-month-old male wistar rats (220- 240 g body weight) were divided into 6 groups: control group, berberine - treated nondiabetic group (100 mg/kg), berberine -treated nondiabetic group (50 mg/kg), diabetic group, berberine -treated diabetic group (100 mg/kg) and berberine -treated diabetic group (50 mg/kg).Diabetes was induced by STZ intraperitoneally injection (50 mg/kg). Berberine was gavaged at the dose of 50, 100 mg/kg for 6 weeks. Testicular damage was examined by using hematoxylin and eosinstaining. Blood biochemical factors also were measured. Results: Diabetes mellitus mediated oxidative stress and free radical production, significantly reduced spermatogenic and Sertoli cells, decreased spermatogenesis and sperm motility and treatment with berberine hydrochlorid, improved this effects. Berberine increases sperm count and motility, spermatogenic cells and sertoli cells. Furthermore in thraputic groups we observed increas in seminiferous tubule diameter and decreas in basal laminal thickness. Conclusions: These results suggest that berberine hydrochlorid has beneficial effects on testicular damage in adult diabetic rats, probably berberine induce this effects by decreasing blood glucose concentration and preventing oxidative stress.