Earticle

초록

영어

Background: Cigarette smoke is a well-known reproductive toxicant that causes structural and functional damage to the testis through oxidative stress and apoptotic pathways. This study aimed to evaluate whether apple seed extract (ASE) can mitigate testicular damage induced by tobacco smoke extract (TSE) in a mouse model. Methods: Adult male mice were orally administered TSE to induce testicular injury. ASE was delivered intraperitoneally, either as a post-treatment or concurrently with TSE. Histological evaluation (H&E staining), immunohistochemistry (IGF-1 and VEGF), and immunofluorescence (TNF-α, Caspase-3, and BCL-2) were conducted to assess tissue morphology, growth factor expression, and apoptotic signaling. Results: TSE exposure led to degeneration of the seminiferous tubules, suppressed IGF-1 and VEGF expression, and increased pro-apoptotic markers (TNF-α, Caspase-3), along with reduced BCL-2 expression. ASE treatment restored seminiferous tubule architecture, enhanced the expression of growth and anti-apoptotic factors, and attenuated apoptotic signals. These restorative effects were particularly significant in the post-treatment groups. Conclusions: ASE demonstrated protective and reparative effects against TSE-induced testicular toxicity by modulating oxidative and apoptotic pathways. These findings highlight ASE as a promising natural therapeutic candidate for ameliorating smokerelated male reproductive dysfunction.

목차

ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Animal ethics and housing
Preparation of tobacco smoke extract (TSE) and apple seed extract (ASE)
TSE and ASE injections in mice
Testicular tissue processing and H&E staining
Alcian blue staining of testicular sections
In situ zymography
Immunohistochemistry for IGF-1 and VEGF
Immunofluorescence double-staining
Quantitative analysis of IHC staining
RESULTS
Histological analysis of testicular tissue after TSE and ASE treatment
Analysis of growth factors and tissue enzymatic activity in testicular tissue
Effects of ASE on TSE-induced inflammatory and apoptotic markers in testes
DISCUSSION
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES

키워드

저자

• Sang-Hwan Kim [ General Graduate School of Animal Life Convergence Science, Hankyong National University/Institute of Applied Humanimal Science, Hankyong National University, Ansung 17579, Korea ] Corresponding Author

참고문헌

발행기관

간행물

관심저널 등록

• 간행물명

  Journal of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology

• 간기

  계간

• pISSN

  2671-4639

• eISSN

  2671-4663

• 수록기간

  2019~2026

• 십진분류

  KDC 527 DDC 636