International Journal of
Reproductive Biomedicine
Sat, Nov 7, 2026
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Volume 24, Issue 9 (September 2026)
Int J Reprod BioMed. 2026, 24(9): 801-814 |
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Ethics code: IR.KMU.AEC.1403.004
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Alizadeh M, Ezzatabadipour M, Afarinesh M R, Nematollahi-Mahani S N, Solhjoo S, Haghpanah T. L-Carnitine and vitamin E mitigate morphine-induced testicular damage in NMRI mice: Association with altered superoxide dismutase 1 and histone deacetylase 1/2 expression: An experimental study. Int J Reprod BioMed. 2026; 24 (9) :801-814
URL: http://ijrm.ir/article-1-3820-en.html
URL: http://ijrm.ir/article-1-3820-en.html
Marzieh Alizadeh1 
, Massood Ezzatabadipour1 , Mohammad Reza Afarinesh2 , Seyed Noureddin Nematollahi-Mahani1 , Somayeh Solhjoo1 , Tahereh Haghpanah *3
, Massood Ezzatabadipour1 , Mohammad Reza Afarinesh2 , Seyed Noureddin Nematollahi-Mahani1 , Somayeh Solhjoo1 , Tahereh Haghpanah *3
1- Anatomical Sciences Department, Afzalipour School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
2- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
3- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. ,t.haghpanah@kmu.ac.ir; thaghpanah1984@gmail.com
2- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
3- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. ,
Abstract: (37 Views)
Background: Morphine (MOR) induces testicular injury via oxidative stress. Vitamin E (Vit E) and L-carnitine (LC) may counteract this through antioxidant activity.
Objective: To investigate individual and combined effects of Vit E and LC on testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, as well as SOD1 and histone deacetylase (HDAC) 1/2 expression.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 34 male NMRI mice (6-8 wk, 28-30 gr) were divided into vehicle (normal saline) and MOR (gradually increasing MOR doses) groups. After excluding 4 dependent mice confirmed by naloxone on day 10, the remaining animals (n = 6/group) received 35 days of treatment with either MOR alone or combined with LC, Vit E, or both. The testes were collected for histology, SOD activity, and gene expression analysis.
Results: Chronic MOR use led to a lower Johnson's score, wider lumen diameter, thinner epithelium (p < 0.001), and increased HDAC1 expression (6.02 ± 0.31, p < 0.01), with non-significant decreases in SOD1 expression (0.44 ± 0.02) and SOD activity (25.25 ± 3.79) compared to the vehicle group. LC and Vit E attenuated these changes; their combination showed superior improvement in histomorphometry (p < 0.001), elevating SOD1 expression (2.40 ± 0.35, p < 0.01) and SOD activity (87.75 ± 16.26, p < 0.05), while reducing HDAC2 expression (0.52 ± 0.06, p < 0.05).
Conclusion: SOD1 regulation appears key in testicular antioxidant defense. MOR reduced SOD1 and damaged testes; LC and Vit E, especially combined, mitigated these effects. The association between altered histone modifier expression and SOD1 mRNA suggests a possible epigenetic link in oxidative stress -induced testicular damage; however, protein and functional-level studies are needed.
Objective: To investigate individual and combined effects of Vit E and LC on testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, as well as SOD1 and histone deacetylase (HDAC) 1/2 expression.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 34 male NMRI mice (6-8 wk, 28-30 gr) were divided into vehicle (normal saline) and MOR (gradually increasing MOR doses) groups. After excluding 4 dependent mice confirmed by naloxone on day 10, the remaining animals (n = 6/group) received 35 days of treatment with either MOR alone or combined with LC, Vit E, or both. The testes were collected for histology, SOD activity, and gene expression analysis.
Results: Chronic MOR use led to a lower Johnson's score, wider lumen diameter, thinner epithelium (p < 0.001), and increased HDAC1 expression (6.02 ± 0.31, p < 0.01), with non-significant decreases in SOD1 expression (0.44 ± 0.02) and SOD activity (25.25 ± 3.79) compared to the vehicle group. LC and Vit E attenuated these changes; their combination showed superior improvement in histomorphometry (p < 0.001), elevating SOD1 expression (2.40 ± 0.35, p < 0.01) and SOD activity (87.75 ± 16.26, p < 0.05), while reducing HDAC2 expression (0.52 ± 0.06, p < 0.05).
Conclusion: SOD1 regulation appears key in testicular antioxidant defense. MOR reduced SOD1 and damaged testes; LC and Vit E, especially combined, mitigated these effects. The association between altered histone modifier expression and SOD1 mRNA suggests a possible epigenetic link in oxidative stress -induced testicular damage; however, protein and functional-level studies are needed.
Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
Reproductive Andrology
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