Phoenixin Attenuates Monosodium Glutamate-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Rats: A Potential Protective Approach

Background: Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a widely utilized food additive, has been implicated in the provocation of testicular toxicity through oxidative stress and hormonal dysregulation.Aim: This study explores the potential role of phoenixin in ameliorating MSG-persuaded testicular toxicity. Methods: The Experimental design involved allocating male Wistar rats into four distinct groups: Control, Phoenixin, MSG, and Phoenixin+ MSG. Semen samples were analyzed for sperm count, motility, and viability. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone.(GnRH). In serum, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone, and kisspeptin were quantitatively assessed. The activity of the testicular steroidogenic enzymes 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and 17β-HSD, together with markers of testicular oxidative stress and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), were assessed. Additionally, the testicular levels of silent information.regulator.of/transcription.1(SIRT1), phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), and caspase3 immunoreactivity were estimated.Results: MSG exposure significantly impaired sperm parameters, disrupted hormonal balance, and triggered oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Meanwhile, co-administration of phoenixin restored sperm function, improved serum GnRH, LH, FSH, testosterone, and kisspeptin levels, and enhanced testicular antioxidant defense. Moreover, phoenixin upregulated p-AMPK and SIRT1 while attenuating TNF-α expression and caspase3 immunoreactivity, elucidating its beneficial role in mitigating testicular function and steroidogenesis.Conclusion: Phoenixin effectively protected against MSG-provoked testicular toxicity through the restoration of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal(HPG), enhancement of steroidogenesis, attenuation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptotic cascade, which was enforced by its upregulation to the SIRT1/AMPK signaling. These results imply a beneficial role of phoenixin in mitigating the reproductive dysfunction associated with MSG testicular toxicity.Keywords: Phoenixin, Monosodium Glutamate, Testicular Toxicity.