Effect of Anthocyanin on Oxidative Stress and Testis Structure in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of anthocyanin on oxidative stress, sperm, and testis structure in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ).

In this experimental research, diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (50 mg/kg). A total of 64 rats were assigned into four groups as follows: a control group, a diabetic control group, a diabetic group daily administrated with anthocyanin at a dose of 100 mg/kg, and a healthy group daily administrated with anthocyanin for 56 days. After intervention, all the rats were anesthetized, their blood samples were taken, and the serum levels of insulin, glucose, and oxidative stress markers were measured. Finally, the testicles were removed and histological parameters were assessed.

Treating diabetic rats with anthocyanin significantly improved the testis tissue damage, glucose, and insulin plasma levels (P = 0.001). Furthermore, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was up-surged and the serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were reduced (P = 0.001). Also, anthocyanin administration (100 mg/kg BW) significantly rectified these parameters (P < 0.05).

Our results confirmed the antioxidant role of anthocyanin in improving the sperm parameters and testicular oxidative damage caused by diabetes.