Combined vitamin D and coconut oil are promising protective approaches against aluminum-induced testicular damage in rats

TL;DR

This study shows that vitamin D and coconut oil can protect rat testicles from damage caused by aluminum exposure, with the combination being most effective.

Contribution

The study demonstrates the synergistic protective effects of vitamin D and coconut oil against aluminum-induced testicular toxicity in rats.

Findings

AlCl3 reduced body weight, testis weights, and reproductive hormones while increasing oxidative stress.

Combined vitamin D and coconut oil treatment showed the greatest improvement in reversing AlCl3-induced damage.

The combination reduced apoptosis and restored tissue structure and hormone levels in testes.

Abstract

Exposure to high levels of aluminum (Al) is a widespread environmental problem where its use is continuously increasing. Al may play a substantial role in male fertility decline. This study was designed experimentally in rats to explore the protective effect of both vitamin D (VD) and virgin coconut oil (VCO) against aluminum chloride (AlCl3) on the biochemical and histopathological changes of the testis. Male rats were divided into 7 groups: Control group, VD group, VCO group, AlCl3-treated group, AlCl3 co-treated with VD group, AlCl3 co-treated with VCO group, AlCl3 co-treated with both VD and VCO group. After six weeks of treatment, the rats of each group were sacrificed where blood and testicular samples were assembled and processed for different biochemical and histopathological studies. The results showed that AlCl3 reduced body weight gain, testis weights, reproductive hormones (FSH, LH, testosterone), and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx, CAT), while elevating oxidative stress (MDA). These effects were notably reversed by VD, VCO, or their combination, with combined therapy showing the greatest improvement. Histologically, AlCl3 caused severe testicular damage, including disrupted seminiferous tubules, degenerated spermatogenic cells, interstitial fibrosis, and Leydig cell loss, findings partially restored by VD or VCO and nearly normalized with their combination. Immunohistochemistry further confirmed these improvements, with combined treatment reducing caspase-3 (apoptosis) and restoring Ki-67 (proliferation) expression. In conclusion, AlCl3 exposure impaired testicular function by disrupting hormone levels, antioxidant defenses, and tissue integrity. VD and VCO, especially in combination, effectively counteracted these effects, restoring hormonal balance, antioxidant status, and normal tissue structure with reducing apoptosis and enhancing proliferation. Collectively, these findings suggest that VD and VCO synergistically counteract AlCl3-induced testicular toxicity, offering anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and proliferative mechanisms.

•Aluminum exposure harms male fertility.•Vitamin D and VCO protect testis health.•AlCl3 induces oxidative stress, inflammation.•VD/VCO improve hormones, reduce Al levels.•Combined VD/VCO show stronger protection.

Aluminum exposure harms male fertility.

Vitamin D and VCO protect testis health.

AlCl3 induces oxidative stress, inflammation.

VD/VCO improve hormones, reduce Al levels.

Combined VD/VCO show stronger protection.

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