Sitagliptin and fucoidan prevent apoptosis and reducing ER stress in diabetic rat testes

Abstract

Sitagliptin increases the levels of incretin hormones and stimulates a decrease in blood glucose levels, by blocking the DPP4 enzyme. We have very limited information about impact of sitagliptin on male genital system and relationship between sitagliptin/diabetes/ER. Fucoidan can be effective in blood glucose homeostasis. We goal to explain of the effect of sitagliptin and introduce an approach of fucoidan treatment in experimental diabetes in male rats. Fifty-eight Wistar albino rats were divided into C-control group and D-diabetes group: 60 mg/kg streptozotocin intraperitoneal (i.p.); DS group: STZ + 10 mg/kg sitagliptin intragastric (i.g.); DF group: STZ + 100 mg/kg fucoidan i.p.; and DSF group: STZ + 10 mg/kg sitagliptin + 100 mg/kg fucoidan. A significant decrease was detected when DS, DF and DSF groups compared to group D in blood glucose levels, basement membrane thickness and also apoptotic cell/tubule index, pJNK, caspase 3, caspase 12, GRP78, CHOP and DPP4. Sitagliptin and fucoidan have been found to be effective in blood glucose homeostasis and reducing the expression of certain proteins that lead to apoptosis and especially the proteins in the ER stress pathway. Therefore, we think that both sitagliptin and fucoidan can be effective in preventing or eliminating histopathological damages in diabetic testicular tissues, and their treatment effects can be used more.

Keywords: ER stress; diabetes; fucoidan; sitagliptin; testes.