Effects of curcumin on testis microvascular complication in streptozotocin-induced diabetes rats

Background: Diabetes has a significant impact on the impaired function of the reproductive system in the testis.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of curcumin from turmeric on structural changes of testicular tissues and microvasculature in STZ-induced diabetic rats.Methods: Rats were injected with a single dose of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg BW) to induce a diabetic condition. Three days after the injection, rats with a blood sugar level > 250 mg/dl were considered diabetic. Rats were allocated to one of three groups, diabetic (DM), diabetic rats receiving curcumin (DMC) (200 mg/kg BW), and control (C). Testicular tissues were studied eight weeks after the treatment using the histological technique. Testicular microvasculature was examined using the vascular corrosion cast technique under a scanning electron microscope (SEM).Results: The testicular tissue of DM group showed damaged seminiferous tubules, spermatocytes, and spermatids with necrosis and germ cells degeneration. Destruction of testicular arteries and veins in pampiniform plexus were demonstrated. The destroyed capillaries, arterioles, and venules demonstrated stenosis and shrinkage. The vessel diameter in all DM groups decreased. In the DMC group which received curcumin, the appearance of all seminiferous tubules, spermatogenic, and sertoli cell was normal. The reconstruction and restoration of testicular artery, pampiniform plexus, capillary network, arterioles, and venules were clear. As a result of curcumin supplementation, the standard and healthy testis microvasculature was restored. The DMC vessels diameter increased back to a quasi normal condition, particularly at the artery, arteriole, and capillary levels.Conclusions: The results provided evident for effects of curcumin could be associated with recovering and improvement of the testicular tissues and microvasculatures in diabetic condition.Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Streptozotocin, Curcumin, Testis, Microvasculature, Vascular corrosion cast, Scanning electron microscope