Humanin Ameliorates Late-onset Hypogonadism in Aged Male Rats

Background: The potential to reproduce declines with age. Late-onset hypogonadism is characterized by reduced serum testosterone. Humanin is a mitochondrial-derived signaling peptide encoded by short open reading frames within the mitochondrial genome. It may protect against some age-related diseases such as atherosclerosis by its cytoprotective effects. Objective: The study aimed to investigate the potential anti-aging effects of humanin on the testicular architecture, oxidative stress, some apoptotic and inflammatory markers in the hypogonadal aged male rats. Methods: Forty male albino rats were divided into 4 groups: normal adult controls, aged vehicle- treated group, aged testosterone-treated group, and aged humanin-treated group. Twenty-month- old male rats with declined serum testosterone were selected to be the animal models of lateonset hypogonadism. Testicular weights, serum testosterone, and some sperm parameters were measured. Testicular tissue IL-6 and TNF-α, superoxide dismutase activity, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde were assessed. The activity of caspase-3, BCL2, PCNA, and the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2-antioxidant response element pathway were evaluated. Testes were subjected to histopathological and immunohistochemical examination. Statistical analysis was executed using One Way Analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Post hoc (LSD) test to compare means among all studied groups. Result: Humanin treatment significantly improved serum testosterone, sperm characteristics, and antioxidant defenses. It decreased active caspase-3, pro-apoptotic BAX expression, and increased antiapoptotic BCL2 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) possibly via activating the (Nrf2- ARE) pathway. Conclusion: Humanin might be a promising therapeutic modality in late-onset hypogonadism as it ameliorated some age-related testicular and hormonal adverse effects.