Interstitial cells evaluation and immunoexpression of Ik-Balpha in rats treated with diacerein: a relationship with spermatogenesis

Abstract

The social isolation and home office due to COVID-19 pandemic has caused several pathologies including depression and rheumatic diseases in young and old people. Diacerein, an antinflammatory drug prescribed for the treatment of osteoarthritis, inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF- and IL-1. Recent studies have also demonstrated a potential effect of diacerein on the treatment of SARS-CoV-2. Although not completely understood, cytokines seem to control spermatogenesis as well as steroidogenesis by Leydig cells (LC), playing a role in the NF-kB/IkB-± complex as well as in the paracrine signaling between CL and testicular macrophages (TM). However, the effects of deficiency of these cytokines in the male reproductive system as well as the impact of diacerein on testicular histophysiology has not been addressed. In a previous study we have demonstrated that IL-1² and TNF-± reduced significantly in testes of diacerein-treated rats. Therefore, considering the participation of TNF-± in the seminiferous epithelium, the impact of cytokines deficiency induced by diacerein in the mitotic and meiotic activity of germ cells will be evaluated. Which interstitial cells (LC or TM) are more affected by the treatment and the immunoexpression of IkB-± in these cells will also be evaluated. Sixteen adult male rats will be distributed into two groups (n=8): control group (CG) and diacerein group (DG). The animals will receive saline via gavage for 30 days. The animals from DG will receive 100 mg/kg b.w. of diacerein. The blood will be collected for serum testosterone levels measurement. Testes will be processed and embedded in paraffin and historesin for immunofluorescence and quantification of spermatocytes. Immunofluorescence reactions will be performed for detection of the following proteins: IL-1², TNF-±, Ki-67 (cell division marker), IkB-±. Double immunofluorescence for detection of 17²-HSD7 and IL-1² will also be performed to clarify which interstitial cell (LC or TM) are more affected by the treatment. Data will be statistically analyzed by Student-t test (pd0,05).