Berberine promotes spermatogonial stem cells (SCCs) renewal in varicocele; evidence for GDNF, Gfrα1, C-Ret expression

Background: Varicocele (VCL) is known as main cause of infertility in 15% to 20% of general population. Indeed, the VCL results in spermatogenesis arrest, severe depletion of seminiferous tubules and considerable reduction in sperm volume. Present study was done in order to evaluate the promoting effect of berberine against VCL-reduced spermatogonial stem cells (SCCs) renewal process.Methods: Thirty mature male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control (NO: 6 rats), control-sham (NO: 6 rats) and experimental groups (NO: 18 rats). The animals in experimental groups were undergone experimental varicocele and simple laparatomy was conducted in control-sham group. The experimental group subdivided into: Non-treated VCL-induced, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg berberine-treated groups. The mRNA and protein levels of GDNF and Bcl-6b were evaluated by using RT-PCR and western blotting techniques, respectively. The immunohistochemical staining was performed for representing GDNF and BCL6b-positive cells.Result: Observations revealed a significant (PConclusion: Our data showed that, the berberine by up-regulating the GDNF, Gfrα1 and C-Ret expression accelerates/promotes the SCCs renewal process.

Keywords:

C-Ret , GDNF , Gfrα1 , Renewal , SCCs , Varicocele