Background: Telomeres are protective DNA sequences at chromosome ends, essential for maintaining genomic stability and reproductive function. Cadmium (Cd), a toxic environmental pollutant, induces oxidative stress, telomere shortening, and testicular dysfunction.Grape seeds extract GSE, rich in oligomeric proanthocyanidins, possesses potent antioxidant properties and may counteract Cd-induced reproductive damage. Aim of the study: The current study aimed to evaluate the protective role of GSE on telomere length and their function on the testes of male rats exposed to cadmium. Materials and Methods: Forty adult male albino rats were divided into five groups (n=8): first group as negative control fed on basal diet only, group 2 as positive control and from group 3 to group 5 fed on basal diet and were injected intraperitoneal with a single dose of 1 mg/kg bw of CdCl2 dissolved in 0.9% saline for one month to induce sexual dysfunction in male rats. After 4 weeks’ positive groups (with testicular dysfunction) fed on basal diet only and from (3-5) groups with testicular dysfunction fed on basal diet and giving orally grape seeds extract at 200 mg/kg.bw, 400 mg/kg.bw and 800 mg/kg.bw, for 4 weeks. At the end of the experimental period (2months), several parameters were assessed. Results: Cadmium exposure caused significant, decreased in testosterone levels, impaired sperm quality, shortened telomeres., on the other hand groups with testicular dysfunction fed on basal diet and given orally grape seeds extract at 400 and 800 mg/kg, had significant improvement in liver enzymes (ALT, AST), lipid profiles (TG, TC, LDL-c, LDL-c, and HDL-c levels), testosterone level and sperm count. Interestingly groups (with testicular dysfunction fed on basal diet and given orally grape seeds extract at dose (400and800mg/ kg.bw) showed significant decrease Casepase3 gene while increase in STAR gene improvement in the sperm morphology analysis compared to positive group (with testicular dysfunction) and fed on only basal diet. Conclusion: Grape seed extract exhibits protective effects against cadmium-induced testicular dysfunction, likely through its antioxidant properties, ability to modulate telomerase activity and gene expression. GSE may serve as a valuable preventive nutraceutical in mitigating environmental toxin-related reproductive damage and promoting genomic stability.
F. Elgazar, Aml, A. Shalaby, Mostafa, N. Ahmed, Fatma, & S. Ayed, Basma. (2025). The Effect of Grape Seeds Ethanolic Extract On Telomeres Activation Against Cadmium - Induced Sexual Dysfunction in Male Rats. مجلة الاقتصاد المنزلي, 41(4), 77-102. doi: 10.21608/jhe.2025.455608
MLA
Aml F. Elgazar; Mostafa A. Shalaby; Fatma N. Ahmed; Basma S. Ayed. "The Effect of Grape Seeds Ethanolic Extract On Telomeres Activation Against Cadmium - Induced Sexual Dysfunction in Male Rats", مجلة الاقتصاد المنزلي, 41, 4, 2025, 77-102. doi: 10.21608/jhe.2025.455608
HARVARD
F. Elgazar, Aml, A. Shalaby, Mostafa, N. Ahmed, Fatma, S. Ayed, Basma. (2025). 'The Effect of Grape Seeds Ethanolic Extract On Telomeres Activation Against Cadmium - Induced Sexual Dysfunction in Male Rats', مجلة الاقتصاد المنزلي, 41(4), pp. 77-102. doi: 10.21608/jhe.2025.455608
VANCOUVER
F. Elgazar, Aml, A. Shalaby, Mostafa, N. Ahmed, Fatma, S. Ayed, Basma. The Effect of Grape Seeds Ethanolic Extract On Telomeres Activation Against Cadmium - Induced Sexual Dysfunction in Male Rats. مجلة الاقتصاد المنزلي, 2025; 41(4): 77-102. doi: 10.21608/jhe.2025.455608
)
View on SCiNiTO