Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share this content! On (X network) By
The Protective Effect of Bromelain on Testicular Dysfunction and Oxidative Stress Induced by Rem Sleep Deprivation in Adult Male Rats Publisher Pubmed



Hosseinpour M1, 2 ; Dalband AM2 ; Lajevardi Z3 ; Soltanattar A4 ; Tafazolimoghadam A5 ; Karamian A2 ; Abdollahifar MA2 ; Abbaszadeh HA6 ; Hodaeipour M2 ; Charmchi A2 ; Keramatinia A7 ; Alinezhad A2 ; Zolfaghari F2 ; Fathi M8 Show All Authors
Authors
  1. Hosseinpour M1, 2
  2. Dalband AM2
  3. Lajevardi Z3
  4. Soltanattar A4
  5. Tafazolimoghadam A5
  6. Karamian A2
  7. Abdollahifar MA2
  8. Abbaszadeh HA6
  9. Hodaeipour M2
  10. Charmchi A2
  11. Keramatinia A7
  12. Alinezhad A2
  13. Zolfaghari F2
  14. Fathi M8
  15. Vakili K8
  16. Navaei F2
  17. Sani M9
  18. Raee P1, 2
  19. Aliaghaei A1
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Men's Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Science (KUMS), Kashan, Iran
  4. 4. Islamic Azad University of Yazd, Ali ibn Abitaleb Medical School, Yazd, Iran
  5. 5. School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science (TUMS), Iran
  6. 6. Laser Application in Medical Sciences Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  7. 7. Department of Community Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  8. 8. Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  9. 9. SNSI-SaniNeuroSapiens Institute, Hanover, Germany

Source: Tissue and Cell Published:2025


Abstract

Male infertility is a significant global health concern, with sleep deprivation emerging as a potential contributing factor due to its impact on oxidative stress and reproductive function. This study investigates the protective effects of bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory enzyme, on testicular dysfunction induced by Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep deprivation in adult male rats. Thirty-six rats were divided into control, REM sleep-deprived (REM-dep), and REM-deprived with bromelain treatment (REM-dep+Br) groups. REM sleep deprivation was induced for a 21-day period using the flower pot technique, with concurrent oral administration of bromelain (200 mg/kg) throughout this period. Finally, sperm parameters, testicular stereology, antioxidant markers (Nrf-2, γ-GCS, and GSH), and inflammatory/apoptotic markers (TNF-α, and Caspase-3) were evaluated across study groups. REM sleep deprivation significantly reduced sperm count, motility (total, and progressive), and normal morphology while increasing DNA fragmentation compared to control group. Testicular stereology revealed decreased spermatogenic cells, Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and Johnsen scores. Bromelain administration significantly improved total sperm motility, increased spermatid numbers, and restored Leydig cell counts compared to REM-dep group. Antioxidant markers (Nrf-2, γ-GCS, GSH) were significantly reduced in the REM-dep group but restored with bromelain treatment. Immunohistochemistry showed elevated TNF-α and Caspase-3 expression in the REM-dep group, which was mitigated by bromelain administration. These findings suggest that REM sleep deprivation induces testicular dysfunction through oxidative stress and inflammation, while bromelain exerts protective effects via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study highlights bromelain as a potential protective /therapeutic agent for mitigating sleep deprivation-induced male reproductive dysfunction. © 2025 Elsevier Ltd
Related Docs
1. The Knowledge Domain and Emerging Trends in the Infertility Field: A 67-Year Retrospective Study, Health Care for Women International (2024)
2. Relationship Between Sleep Disturbances and in Vitro Fertilization Outcomes in Infertile Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, Brain and Behavior (2025)
Experts (# of related papers)
View all Related Experts
Razieh Akbari (1)
Zahra Panahi (1)