Document Type : Original Articles
Authors
1
Student Research Committee, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
2
Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
3
Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran.
10.32598/ijvm.20.2.1005698
Abstract
Background: Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP) is a common, debilitating prostate disorder with no standardized treatment. Metformin (MET), an anti-diabetic medication, exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by reducing the production of cytokines.
Objectives: This study aimed to examine whether MET can modulate inflammatory responses and reproductive parameters in a rat model of CNP induced by carrageenan.
Methods: A total of 24 8-week-old male Wistar rats were selected and divided into 4 groups: The mock group (group I), CNP-control group (group II), CNP-Cernilton group (group III), and CNP-MET group (group IV). For CNP induction, 1% carrageenan (0.1 mL) was injected intraprostatically into groups II, III, and IV. The rats in groups III and IV received Cernilton (100 mg/kg) and MET (100 mg/kg) orally for three weeks. Prostatic index (PI), serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), interleukin-17 (IL-17), interferon-γ (IFN‐γ), and sperm parameters (counts, motility, and viability) were compared between groups. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc test for normal distributions and the Kruskal-Wallis with Mann-Whitney U test for non-normal distributions. Significance was set at P<0.05.
Results: There was a significant increase (P<0.05) in PI, serum levels of PSA, IL-17, and IFN‐γ in group II. At the same time, the sperm quality parameters were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in this group. On the other hand, in group IV, a significant decrease (P<0.05) in PI, PSA, IL-17, and IFN-γ levels was observed, and sperm quality parameters improved compared to group II.
Conclusion: MET markedly reduced inflammation and enhanced reproductive parameters in a rat model of CNP. Through lowering PI, inflammatory cytokines (IL-17, IFN-γ), and PSA levels, and at the same time enhancing sperm quality, MET proves to be a therapeutic candidate for CNP management.
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