Title : Studies on testicular ultrastructural and hormonal changes in type-2 diabetic rats treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy conjugated silver nanoparticles
Abstract:
Introduction: There has been improvement in the quality of life of people living with HIV-1 since the advent of HAART. Nevertheless, the report on several adverse effects such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and reproductive dysfunctions (RDs) are on increase. Given these detrimental effects, this study was designed to investigate the interaction of a nanoparticle drug, HAART-AgNP, on the testicular indices, hormonal assay, local gonadal factor (IGF-1) and testicular ultrastructure. This nanoconjugate (HAART-AgNP) could be a potential nano-drug that may cater for the reproductive dysfunction and metabolic derangements in the HAART era.
Aim: This study investigated the impact of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) loaded silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) (HAART-AgNPs) as nanodrug 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 (frtSTZ). 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.
Results: Treatment with HAART-AgNP displayed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in serum gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testicular IGF-1 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.
Conclusion: This study has demonstrated the beneficial impact of HAART-AgNP on the hypothalamic-pituitarygonadal 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.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- Silver nanoparticles can be synthesized, characterized, and functionalized to load antiretroviral therapy and deliver adequate drug to viral reservoir sites
- The factors necessary to cater for the potential toxicity of silver nanoparticles would be discussed such as size, shape, and concentration.
- The audience will learn about impediments to the total eradication of HIV
- The methodology in this research is novel and it will add to the body of knowledge in the field of nanomedicine
- Silver nanoparticle conjugated antiretroviral therapy could be a potential nano-drug candidate to cater for testicular dysfunction and metabolic derangements while managing HIV-infected male individuals
