Volume 19, Issue 6 (June 2021)                   IJRM 2021, 19(6): 545-558 | Back to browse issues page

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Fallahi S, Rajaei M, Hesam M J, Koolivand M, Malekzadeh K. The Effect of Phoenix dactylifera pollen on the expression of NRF2, SOD2, CAT, and GPX4 genes, and sperm parameters of fertile and infertile men: A controlled clinical trial. IJRM 2021; 19 (6) :545-558
URL: http://ijrm.ir/article-1-1922-en.html
The Effect of Phoenix dactylifera pollen on the expression of NRF2, SOD2, CAT, and GPX4 genes, and sperm parameters of fertile and infertile men: A controlled clinical trial
Soghra Fallahi1 , Minoo Rajaei1 , Mohammad javad Hesam2 , Mohsen Koolivand3 , Kianoosh Malekzadeh * 4
1- Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
2- International Institute of French Studies, University of Strasbourg, 2 Allée René Capitant, 67081, Strasbourg, France.
3- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan, Iran.
4- Molecular Medicine Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran. Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran. , keyanooshmalek@gmail.com
Abstract:   (1918 Views)
Background: Oxidative stress is caused by the imbalance occurring between the creation and clearance of the reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is responsible for 30-40% of male infertility. The positive impact of phoenix dactylifera pollen (Date palm pollen, DPP) on the improvement of sperm parameters has been well documented in animal models.
Objective: For evaluating the effect(s) of DPP on sperm parameters, ROS levels, expression of antioxidant genes, and activity of antioxidant enzymes of infertile men.
Materials and Methods: In this controlled clinical trial, a total of 60 male case with infertility and 20 normospermic fertile men were recruited. Before and after the treatment with DPP, the case were administered 400 mg/kg of gelatinous capsules daily for 30 consecutive days and semen samples were taken. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was applied for the evaluation of the mRNA expression levels of Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), superoxide dismutase (SOD2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and catalase (CAT) genes.
Results: The mRNA expression levels of NRF2, SOD2, GPX4, and CAT (p < 0.05 for all) and significantly increased after treatment with DPP. The increased expressions of all antioxidant genes and enzymes significantly correlated with improvement in semen parameters including count         (p = 0.01), motility (p = 0.05), and morphology (p = 0.01) of sperm. A significant correlation between the alteration of SOD2 gene expression and SOD activity, GPX4 and GPX, and CAT were also observed (p = 0.05).
Conclusion: DPP can increase the expressions of NRF2, GPX4, SOD2, and CAT genes and also improve the semen quality in infertile men.
Keywords: DPP, Male infertility, SOD2, NRF2, GPX4, CAT, ROS, Spermatozoa.
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Type of Study: Original Article | Subject: Fertility & Infertility
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