Browsing by Author "Ugochukwu, O."

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
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    Altered expression of testicular SCF and c-kit genes in antiretroviral therapy-induced semen alterations and subfertility
    (Taylor & Francis Group, 2019) Adana, M. Y.; Akang, E. N.; Eche, S.; Ugochukwu, O.; Azu, O. O.
    Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been implicated in testicular toxicity observed in HIV patients. Optimal spermatogenesis has been shown to be dependent on the expression of Stem cell factor (SCF) and c-KIT genes. They are known to be crucial for germ cell development and fertility. The study investigated the effects of ART and Naringenin on the expression of SCF and c-KIT genes in the testes of Sprague Dawley rats. Methods: Thirty male rats weighing 200--220g, were randomly assigned into 6 treatment groups- DW: Distilled water, H: HAART, N40: Naringenin, 40 mg/kg, N80: Naringenin, 80 mg/kg, HN40: HAART+Naringenin, 40 mg/kg and HN80: HAART+Naringenin, 80 mg/kg. Treatment lasted for a period of 10 weeks. Copulation with adult non-mated females was allowed to take place. The number of pregnancies and pubs were noted. Rats were sacrificed, testes were harvested and semen were analysed. Expressions of SCF and c-kit genes were done via real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction. The Animal Research Ethical Committee, UKZN, South Africa approved this research with a reference number AREC/046/016D. Results: There was a significantly lower count in group H compared to DW and N40. There were significantly lower progressive sperms in group H when compared to DW, N40, N80, HN40 and HN80. The fertility index was higher in the DW than in the H and N40 groups. The number of pubs per group were also higher. The animals in groups H, HN40 and HN80 displayed altered expression of SCF/c-KIT genes when compared to controls. Conclusion: The study suggests that ART may alter the expression of SCF and c-KIT genes in the testes thereby causing deleterious effects on testicular function. Naringenin, a bioflavonoid may be a useful adjuvant therapy in protecting against testicular toxicity.
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    Naringenin Modulates Sertoli Cell Dysfunction and Altered SCF/c-kit Ligand System in the Setting of Combination Antiretroviral Therapy
    (The Anatomical Society of Nigeria, 2024) Adana, M. Y.; Akang, E. N.; Ugochukwu, O.; Eche S.; Naidu, E. C. S.; Azu O. O.
    Combination Antiretroviral Therapy (cART) has been shown in previous studies to induce histopathological changes in the testes. An essential function of the c-kit signalling system is to control cell survival, proliferation, differentiation, and death. Consequently, certain male infertility may be explained by deregulating the SCF/c-kit system by attenuating or overactivating its signaling strength. This study examined the effects of antiretroviral drugs and a bioactive flavonoid, Naringenin on testicular ultrastructure, function and the SCF/c-kit ligand system. Six groups of five Sprague Dawley rats were assigned into cART (H), distilled water (DW), naringenin 40 mg/kg (N40), naringenin 80 mg/kg (N80), cART+naringenin 40 mg/kg (HN40), and cART+naringenin 80 mg/kg (HN80). Electron microscopy was employed to study testicular ultrastructural changes. The expressions of intratesticular SCF and c-kit mRNA were evaluated using quantitative PCR. The apoptotic assay and levels of intratesticular antioxidant enzymes were studied using ELISA. Using cART resulted in nuclear membrane breakdown, anomalies in the ultrastructural appearance of the germinal epithelium, and distortion of the progressive cellular growth. These changes were reduced with the co-administration of Naringenin. Co-administration of Naringenin limited the identified dysfunction of Sertoli cells as a sign of testicular toxicity from cART and this study suggests that as an adjuvant therapy, naringenin might help prevent testicular toxicity associated with long-term use of cART.
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    Naringenin upregulates the expression of CYP17 and CYP19 in the rats' testes: any effects on sperm functionality?
    (Taylor & Francis Group, 2020) Adana, M. Y.; Akang E. N.; Eche, S.; Ugochukwu, O.; Azu, O. O.
    Background: CYP17A1 and CYP19A1, are members of the cytochrome P450 superfamily which are monooxygenases that catalyze many reactions involved in steroidogenesis. In humans, the gene CYP17, located on chromosome 10q24.3 , encodes the 17 alpha-hydroxylase while CYP19 gene which resides on chromosome15q21.1 encodes aromatase enzyme . They are both expressed in the gonads. Optimal spermatogenesis has been shown to be dependent on the expression of these genes. They are known to be crucial for germ cell development and functionality. This research studied the expression of these genes in the rats' testes and investigated the effects of Naringenin, a bioactive flavonoid on their expression. Methods: Thirty male rats weighing 200-220g, were randomly assigned into 3 treatment groups- DW: Distilled water, N40: Naringenin, 40 mg/kg, N80: Naringenin, 80 mg/kg. Treatment lasted for a period of 70 days. Rats were then sacrificed, blood samples collected for hormonal assay, testes were harvested and semen were analysed. Expressions of CYP 17 and CYP 19 genes were done via real-time PCR. The Animal Research Ethical Committee, UKZN, South Africa approved this research (reference: AREC/046/016D). Results: The animals in groups N40 and N80 displayed significantly higher expression of CYP 17 and CYP 19 genes when compared to controls. Serum testosterone and LH levels were also significantly higher. However, no significant differences in the sperm count and percentage of abnormal sperms observed across the groups. But there were significantly lower progressive sperms in group N40 when compared to control. Conclusion: The study suggests that even though Naringenin displayed increased expression of CYP 17 and CYP19 genes in the testes, there was no significant impact on the semen parameters and no effects on the overall testicular function. Naringenin, a bioflavonoid may be able to protect against testicular toxicity but does not improve the function of an otherwise healthy testes.