P–124 The beneficial effects of novel quercetin delivery system (loaded on bigel) on male fertility parameters of Non-alcoholic fatty liver model: an in-vivo (rat model) study

Abstract Study question Dose quercetin encapsulated in a bigel slow- release delivery system improve male fertility parameters in Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) model Summary answer Quercetin in a bigel slow- release delivery system can boost semen parameters in NAFLD rat model What is known already Recent molecular and physiological studies have shown that adverse effects of NAFLD extend far beyond the liver. NAFLD can impair male reproductive function by increasing Reactive Oxidative Stress (ROS) levels, reducing the expression of antioxidant genes and inducing damage in testes immune privilege. Antioxidant therapy and its effectiveness depend on whether the exogenous antioxidant will be readily absorbed to reach high enough that are required to decrease the pathological damages. Quercetin, as an antioxidant, is able to ameliorate oxidative stress. The design of new drug delivery systems using encapsulating antioxidant can boost its durability and effectiveness. Study design, size, duration Bigels were prepared using cottonseed oil/cannabis oil/alginate/ferula gum. Sprague-Dawley rats are housed for 2 weeks, then NAFLD was induced by 58% of dietary calorie as lard and 42 g/L fructose for 16 weeks. The experimental protocol was approved by the ethical committee of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran. Participants/materials, setting, methods After confirming the NAFLD induction, animals divided into five groups: Control, control NAFLD, received 2 mg/kg Quer loaded on bigels, free bigels, free Quer for 45 days as daily gavage. Semen parameters (count, motility, and morphology), viability (Eosin-nigrosine staining) and serum testosterone levels were analyzed. In addition, histological sections of testicular tissues were investigated by Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) staining method. In situ detection of apoptosis was performed using terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Main results and the role of chance The sperm count, sperm motility, normal morphology and testosterone level were significantly lower in the NAFLD group than those the controls. Moreover, higher head and tail abnormality percentages were seen in the sperm of these groups. Bigel-Quer significantly improved the serum testosterone level, sperm count, motility, and morphology compared with the NAFLD group. Spermatogenic cells in all stages of differentiation (spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, early spermatids, late spermatids) are observed an