Co-administration of vitamins C and E attenuates testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury by targeting oxidative stress and NF-κB-mediated inflammation in rats

Abstract Background Testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury (tIRI) has been shown to cause testicular damage and lower sperm quality through the initiation of oxidative stress and inflammation. Conversely, vitamins C and E have been independently established to confer cellular protection by suppressing oxidative stress. However, the effect of vitamins C and E, when administered singly or in combination, on tIRI is yet to be explored. Methods Therefore, this study investigated the impact of vitamins C and E, when administered singly or in combination, on tIRI and the associated mechanism. Fifty adult male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into sham-operated, tIRI, Vitamin C+ tIRI, Vitamin E + tIRI, and Vitamin C + E+ tIRI groups. Results tIRI led to a distortion of testicular histo-architecture ( p = 0.0166) and a reduction in sperm count ( p = 0.0200), and viability ( p = 0.0067), as well as an increased number of sperm with abnormal morphology ( p < 0.0001). tIRI suppressed circulating FSH ( p = 0.0372), LH ( p = 0.0043), and testosterone ( p = 0.0029), significantly increased testicular MDA levels ( p < 0.0001) and reduced GSH rats ( p = 0.0318) and protein thiol levels ( p = 0.0136), and SOD ( p = 0.0164) and catalase activities ( p = 0.0223). tIRI also led to an increased NO level ( p = 0.0068), myeloperoxidase activity ( p = 0.0049), and NF-kB expression ( p < 0.0001). tIRI-induced histological and biochemical alterations were attenuated by vitamins C and E, administered singly and when combined. However, co-administration of vitamins C and E did not exert a superior effect compared to the administration of either vitamin C or vitamin E. Conclusion In conclusion, vitamins C and E attenuated tIRI by suppressing NF-kB-dependent inflammation and oxidative stress.