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Melatonin mitigates oxidative stress in luniron-induced testicular injury in Wistar rats

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Abstract

Numerous studies have demonstrated that natural antioxidants protect cells from contaminants’ toxic effects. This study aims to investigate the potential protective effects of melatonin (MLT) against linuron-induced testicular toxicity and spermatogenesis damage. Rats were divided into four groups: the control group (no treatment), the MLT group that received MLT (10 mg/kg b.w), the LIN group that received LIN (120 mg/kg b.w), and (LIN/MLT) group treated with LIN and MLT. The investigated substances MLT and linuron (LIN) were given orally to the animals for 30 days. The results showed that linuron treatment-induced testicular dysfunctions demonstrated significant inhibition of pituitary–testicular axis hormone synthesis (diminution serum levels of testosterone, FSH, and LH) associated with spermatogenesis injury improved by low Johnsen scores and increased in testis CD117 expression. Furthermore, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, as well as reduced glutathione (GSH) content, were significantly decreased. In contrast, there was a considerable rise in the activity of glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA), and protein carbonyl (PCO). Our results established that oral MLT supplementation in LIN-treated rats restored plasma hormone levels and alleviated the adverse cytotoxic effects of LIN. According to the findings, MLT demonstrated potential as an endogenous antioxidant, effectively alleviating linuron-induced testicular oxidative injury.

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Fouzia Trea: conceptualization, methodology, and presentation of the published work. Sakina Chaib: conducting an investigation and research process, particularly carrying out the tests. Lazhari Tichati: statistical application and review. Kheireddine Ouali: analysis and interpretation of histological and immunohistological samples.

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Correspondence to Faouzia Trea.

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The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Algeria as well as the National Fund for Scientific Research of Algeria (DGSRTD, Laboratory of Environmental Biosurveillance) provided funding for this study.

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Chaib, S., Trea, F., Tichati, L. et al. Melatonin mitigates oxidative stress in luniron-induced testicular injury in Wistar rats. Comp Clin Pathol 32, 799–810 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-023-03490-1

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