Icariin Improves Age-Related Testicular Dysfunction by Alleviating Sertoli Cell Injury via Upregulation of the ERα/Nrf2-Signaling Pathway.

ABSTRACT: Sertoli cells play crucial roles in spermatogenesis and are impaired by aging. Icariin, a flavonoid from Epimedium, has been reported to exhibit anti-aging effects and improve testicular dysfunction in the clinical setting. However, whether icariin improves age-related degeneration of testicular function via protection from Sertoli cell injury remains unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the protective effect of icariin on Sertoli cell injury and explored the possible mechanism(s) in vivo and in vitro. Dietary administration of icariin for 4 months significantly ameliorated the age-related decline in testicular function by increasing testicular and epididymal weights and indices, sperm count and sperm viability, testicular testosterone and estradiol conce

SUBMITTER: Zhao H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7247842 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature