Eur J Anat, 23 (1): 1-7 (2019)

Testicular 3beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in naringenin adjuvant under highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART); preliminary data using Sprague-Dawley rats

Edidiong N. Akang^1,2, Misturah Y. Adana^1,3, Aniekan I. Peter^1,4, Edwin C.S. Naidu¹, Irene Mackraj⁵, Onyemaechi O. Azu^1,6

¹Discipline of Clinical Anatomy, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, ²Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria.,³Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria., ⁴Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria, ⁵Discipline of Human Physiology, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, ⁶Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Windhoek, Namibia

ABSTRACT HAART has brought relief to many living with HIV/AIDS, decreasing morbidity and mortality rates. In spite of these benefits, the treatment has been associated with reproductive disorders. This study is aimed at investigating the effects of Naringenin (Nar) on the expression of testicular 3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β HSD) in HAART-treated Sprague-Dawley rats. 30 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups. The rats were fed with 30 mg/kg of HAART (Efavirenz+Embtricitabine+Tenofovir), 40mg/kg and 80 mg/kg of Nar and a combination of both HAART and Nar for a period of 70 days. Thereafter, the animals were euthanized and the testes processed. The results showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the expression of 3β HSD in the HAART group compared to controls. However, the co-treatment of HAART with 40 mg/kg Nar increased significantly (p<0.05) the expression of 3β HSD, compared to HAART and control. The relative volume fraction also showed significant increase (p<0.05) in germinal epithelium, lumen and Leydig cells of animals treated with 80 mg/kg Nar, and HAART+40 mg/kg Nar compared to control and HAART respectively. In conclusion, HAART is causes a deficiency in testicular 3β HSD, thereby limiting spermatogenesis. However, co-treatment with 40 mg/kg Naringenin increases testicular 3β HSD expression and enhances spermatogenesis.

Keywords: 3β HSD â?? Testis â?? Naringenin â?? Antiretroviral therapy â?? Leydig cells