The Effect of Phoenix dactylifera pollen on the expression of NRF۲, SOD۲, CAT, and GPX۴ genes, and sperm parameters of fertile and infertile men: A controlled clinical trial

Background: Oxidative stress is caused by the imbalance occurring between the creation and clearance of the reactive oxygen species (ROS), which is responsible for ۳۰-۴۰% of male infertility. The positive impact of phoenix dactylifera pollen (Date palm pollen, DPP) on the improvement of sperm parameters has been well documented in animal models. Objective: For evaluating the effect(s) of DPP on sperm parameters, ROS levels, expression of antioxidant genes, and activity of antioxidant enzymes of infertile men. Materials and Methods: In this controlled clinical trial, a total of ۶۰ male case with infertility and ۲۰ normospermic fertile men were recruited. Before and after the treatment with DPP, the case were administered ۴۰۰ mg/kg of gelatinous capsules daily for ۳۰ consecutive days and semen samples were taken. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was applied for the evaluation of the mRNA expression levels of Nuclear factor erythroid ۲-related factor ۲ (NRF۲), superoxide dismutase (SOD۲), glutathione peroxidase ۴ (GPX۴), and catalase (CAT) genes. Results: The mRNA expression levels of NRF۲, SOD۲, GPX۴, and CAT (p < ۰.۰۵ for all) and significantly increased after treatment with DPP. The increased expressions of all antioxidant genes and enzymes significantly correlated with improvement in semen parameters including count         (p = ۰.۰۱), motility (p = ۰.۰۵), and morphology (p = ۰.۰۱) of sperm. A significant correlation between the alteration of SOD۲ gene expression and SOD activity, GPX۴ and GPX, and CAT were also observed (p = ۰.۰۵). Conclusion: DPP can increase the expressions of NRF۲, GPX۴, SOD۲, and CAT genes and also improve the semen quality in infertile men.

Keywords:

DPP , Male infertility , SOD۲ , NRF۲ , GPX۴ , CAT , ROS , Spermatozoa. , DPP , ناباروری مردان , SOD۲ , NRF۲ , GPX۴ و CAT , گونه­های واکنشی اکسیژن , پارامترهای اسپرم.