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  • Title: Berberine reinforces Sertoli cells niche and accelerates spermatogonial stem cells renewal in experimentally-induced varicocele condition in rats.
    Author: Rashtbari H, Razi M, Hassani-Bafrani H, Najaran H.
    Journal: Phytomedicine; 2018 Feb 01; 40():68-78. PubMed ID: 29496177.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Varicocele is present in 10-20% of the male infertile population. PURPOSE: Present study was done to demonstrate the reinforcing effect of berberine (BBR), as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, on Sertoli cells-related niche and spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) self-renewal in experimentally-induced VCL condition. STUDY DESIGN: 50 mature male Wistar rats were divided into control, control-sham, non-treated VCL-induced, 50 mg kg-1 and 100 mg kg-1 BBR-treated VCL-induced groups. METHODS: The Leydig and Sertoli cells distribution and Leydig cells steroidogenic activity, expression of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), proto-oncogene Rearranged during Transfection (c-RET) receptor, Ets variant gene 5 (Etv5) and B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/lymphoma 6, member B (Bcl-6b) at mRNA and protein levels were analyzed. The mRNA integrity and DNA fragmentation were assessed. Finally, the serum levels of testosterone, inhibin B and testicular total antioxidant capacity, total thiol molecules, catalase, and malondialdehyde were evaluated. RESULTS: Observations revealed that, the BBR significantly enhanced VCL-reduced Leydig and Sertoli cells population, maintained Leydig-Sertoli cells network, enhanced GDNF, c-RET Etv5 and Bcl6b expression, up-regulated testicular antioxidant and endocrine status. CONCLUSION: The BBR by boosting Leydig-Sertoli cells network up-regulates the GDNF, Etv5 and Bcl-6b expression/synthesis in SSCs, which in turn improves SSCs self-renewal activities. Thus, the BBR could be considered as an appropriate agent for antioxidant therapy of VCLs. However, more studies with bigger sample number and focus on BBR-induced effects on other genes involving in the self-renewal process are needed to have more deterministic results.
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