Banca de DEFESA: LUDMILA THAINA CHAVES FREITAS

Uma banca de DEFESA de MESTRADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : LUDMILA THAINA CHAVES FREITAS
DATE: 15/08/2025
TIME: 14:00
LOCAL: Plataforma Google Meet
TITLE:

Effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation on testicular morphology in an experimental model of diabetes chemically induced by streptozotocin

KEY WORDS:

Nutraceuticals; Male Reproduction; Spermatogenesis; Oxidative Stress; Histomorphometry.

PAGES: 58
BIG AREA: Ciências Biológicas
AREA: Morfologia
SUBÁREA: Histologia
SUMMARY:

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic condition characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, and studies have investigated its impacts on testicular function, with evidence of impairments in spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis. Creatine is an amino acid synthesized endogenously, with the testis being its second largest reservoir in the body. Although the use of this substance is increasing, especially among males, there are gaps regarding its effects on male sexual health, particularly when associated with DM. In this context, the effects of creatine monohydrate on the testicular morphology of diabetic rats were investigated, with diabetes chemically induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg). Twenty adult Wistar rats were used and divided into the following groups: C – control, normoglycemic (n=5); CT – normoglycemic animals receiving creatine supplementation (n=5); D – diabetic animals induced with streptozotocin (n=5); and DT – diabetic animals treated with creatine (n=5). Biometric, biochemical, histomorphometric (tubular and intertubular), histopathological, and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. Persistent hyperglycemia was observed in group D compared to C and CT. Group D showed a greater proportion of seminiferous tubules and epithelium, whereas group DT showed reduced percentages in both parameters. In the intertubular region, group D presented increased Leydig cell count and connective tissue compared to group C. Conversely, a higher proportion of lymphatic vessels was observed in group DT compared to group D. The nuclear diameter of Leydig cells was larger in group DT than in the other groups, suggesting a recovery in androgenic activity with the treatment. Group D exhibited the most severe histopathological alterations, reflecting more pronounced morphofunctional damage in the seminiferous tubules. In group DT, a decrease in SOD1 immunostaining was noted compared to group D, suggesting reduced testicular oxidative stress due to creatine supplementation. Similarly, increased NFkB-p65 staining was observed in group DT compared to the others, indicating that creatine may influence inflammatory pathway activation via NFkB. This study suggests that creatine monohydrate contributes to the preservation of testicular morphology in DM, and its antioxidant effects appear to depend on the physiological status. This work is pioneering in assessing the effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation based on the morphological evaluation of testicular tissue in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 1667882 - BENTO JOAO DA GRACA AZEVEDO ABREU
Externo à Instituição - FERNANDA CAROLINA RIBEIRO DIAS - UFSJ
Externo à Instituição - FLAVIO SANTOS DA SILVA - UFERSA
Interna - 2477216 - NAISANDRA BEZERRA DA SILVA FARIAS