Metformin Improves BCL-2 Gene Expression, Testosterone, Platelet Indices, and Histopathology of Testis in Varicocele–Induced Rats
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| Title: | Metformin Improves BCL-2 Gene Expression, Testosterone, Platelet Indices, and Histopathology of Testis in Varicocele–Induced Rats |
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| Authors: | Hamid Reza Moslemi, Fatemeh Ghaderi, Mahmood Ahmadi-Hamedani, Khatereh Kafshdouzan |
| Source: | Iranian Journal of Veterinary Surgery, Vol 20, Iss 2, Pp 122-129 (2025) |
| Publisher Information: | Iranian Veterinary Surgery Association (IVSA), 2025. |
| Publication Year: | 2025 |
| Collection: | LCC:Veterinary medicine |
| Subject Terms: | metformin, bcl-2, platelet indices, testosterone, varicocele, Veterinary medicine, SF600-1100 |
| Description: | The present study attempted to investigate the effects of metformin on B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) gene expression, testosterone, platelet indices, and the histopathology of testis in varicocele–induced rats. Twenty-four male adult Wistar rats, aged seven weeks, were selected and divided into four groups. Group I: Sham, II: VCL (varicocele–induced rats), III: MET, and IV: VCL-MET (varicocele–induced rats treated with metformin). Koksal surgical method was used to induce varicocele. One week later, the rats in the MET and VCL-MET groups received metformin (100 mg/kg), and the rats in the sham and VCL groups received normal saline orally for four weeks. Then, all rats were anesthetized, body weight was measured, and the left testis was isolated for BCL-2 gene expression. Also, their blood samples were collected to measure platelet indices and evaluate testosterone concentration. The most significant secondary weight loss relative to the initial body weight, lowest platelet count (PLT: 49.6 × 103 µl-1), highest plateletcrit level (PCT: 0.44 %), mean platelet volume (MPV: 6.0 fL), platelet distribution width (PDW: 18.15%), and the lowest BCL-2 gene expression was observed in the VCL group. The lowest MPV/PLT (0.008), and the highest testosterone level (3.21 ng/ml) were observed in the VCl-Met group. Spermatid cells are seen in the VCL-Met group, spermatocyte cells in the VCL group, and spermatozoa cells in the sham and Met groups. Metformin apparently improved testosterone levels and testicular histopathology by increasing BCL-2 gene expression. As an anti-inflammatory, it also mitigated the changes in platelet indices caused by experimental varicocele. |
| Document Type: | article |
| File Description: | electronic resource |
| Language: | English |
| ISSN: | 2008-3033 2676-6299 |
| Relation: | https://www.ivsajournals.com/article_212929_6612123242fb4c513299a0339aeedbe7.pdf; https://doaj.org/toc/2008-3033; https://doaj.org/toc/2676-6299 |
| DOI: | 10.30500/ivsa.2025.487506.1423 |
| Access URL: | https://doaj.org/article/9a76d0e40e87460e9e734d7f5984f90d |
| Accession Number: | edsdoj.9a76d0e40e87460e9e734d7f5984f90d |
| Database: | Directory of Open Access Journals |
| Abstract: | The present study attempted to investigate the effects of metformin on B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) gene expression, testosterone, platelet indices, and the histopathology of testis in varicocele–induced rats. Twenty-four male adult Wistar rats, aged seven weeks, were selected and divided into four groups. Group I: Sham, II: VCL (varicocele–induced rats), III: MET, and IV: VCL-MET (varicocele–induced rats treated with metformin). Koksal surgical method was used to induce varicocele. One week later, the rats in the MET and VCL-MET groups received metformin (100 mg/kg), and the rats in the sham and VCL groups received normal saline orally for four weeks. Then, all rats were anesthetized, body weight was measured, and the left testis was isolated for BCL-2 gene expression. Also, their blood samples were collected to measure platelet indices and evaluate testosterone concentration. The most significant secondary weight loss relative to the initial body weight, lowest platelet count (PLT: 49.6 × 103 µl-1), highest plateletcrit level (PCT: 0.44 %), mean platelet volume (MPV: 6.0 fL), platelet distribution width (PDW: 18.15%), and the lowest BCL-2 gene expression was observed in the VCL group. The lowest MPV/PLT (0.008), and the highest testosterone level (3.21 ng/ml) were observed in the VCl-Met group. Spermatid cells are seen in the VCL-Met group, spermatocyte cells in the VCL group, and spermatozoa cells in the sham and Met groups. Metformin apparently improved testosterone levels and testicular histopathology by increasing BCL-2 gene expression. As an anti-inflammatory, it also mitigated the changes in platelet indices caused by experimental varicocele. |
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| ISSN: | 20083033 26766299 |
| DOI: | 10.30500/ivsa.2025.487506.1423 |