This study evaluates the effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and Curcuma longa on testicular histology, stereological parameters, body weight and relative organ weights, seminal fluid, testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, the antioxidant marker malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in adult male Wistar rat. Thirty-six adult male Wistar rats were grouped into A: distilled water (control); B: 100 mg/kg C. longa; C: 200 mg/kg C. longa; D: HAART only; E: HAART + 100 mg/kg C. longa; and F: HAART + 200 mg/kg C. longa. The rats were sacrificed after 8 weeks. Results showed a significant increase in abnormal morphology in group D when compared with group A. In group D, progressive sperm motility was significantly decreased compared with group F. The GSH level was significantly increased in group D compared with control group A, group E and group F. Histomorphological studies showed that HAART caused loss of germ cells and widening tubule lumen which were improved and partially restored by C. longa. This study suggests that C. longa improves testicular morphology and ameliorates HAART-induced toxicity. Further studies confirming putative mechanisms are required.
Keywords: Curcuma longa; Leydig cells; Sertoli cells; highly active antiretroviral therapy; testis.
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