Effect oF TiO2 Nanoparticles and Curcumin on Sperm Parameters in Response to Temperature-Induced Stress in Scrotal Hyperthermia Rats: Role of miR455

Temperature changes cause testicular dysfunction. It has been observed that testicular hyperthermia leads to oxidative stress and as a result a severe reduction in testicular parameters. Causes a severe reduction in Sperm parameters to become oxidative due to stress. Recently, natural plant materials and magnetic nanoparticles have been considered. In the internal mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, gen bcl2 is a target of miR455.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and improve their impacts by using the antioxidant curcumin on sperm parameters by investigating changes in expression miR455 in response to temperature-induced stress in scrotal hyperthermia rats.

After preparation, the rats were placed in a hot water bath at 43°C. for 30 minutes for six consecutive days. The rats were then divided into eight groups. We used TiO2 nanoparticles at a concentration of 0.03 mg/kg of body weight and curcumin at a concentration of 0.02 mg/kg of body weight. After killing the animals, such parameters of sperm as viability, concentration, motility, and morphology of spermatozoa were studied. RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were performed using appropriate kits. A gene primer was designed and RT-PCR was used to assess gene expression. The t-test and ANOVA were used to examine differences between different groups. Data analysis was performed using Prism8 software and SPSS version 26.

The results showed that miR455 expression was lower in the treatment groups and was associated with curcumin (P < 0.05). A positive effect of curcumin on improving sperm parameters in rats with scrotum hyperthermia and a negative and toxic effect of TiO2 nanoparticles were shown. However, a significant improvement in sperm parameters was observed when rats were given TiO2 nanoparticles along with curcumin.

The changes in the expression miR455, shown in curcumin have controlled the damage to TiO2 nanoparticles. It seems that miRNA455 can be used as a marker to predict sperm health status. So Curcumin can play a protective role in reducing the toxic effects of testicular hyperthermia as well as titanium dioxide nanoparticles.