Islet Transplantation Attenuating Testicular Injury in Type 1 Diabetic Rats Is Associated with Suppression of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation via Nrf-2/HO-1 and NF-κB Pathways

Figure 4

Islet transplantation treatment activated the Nrf-2/HO-1 pathway in the testicular tissues of diabetes-induced rats. (a, b) Immunohistochemical staining (×400) () and quantitative analysis of positive regions showing the expressions and typical distribution of HO-1 in testicular sections. Compared with those of the INS and DM groups, the expression level of HO-1 significantly increased after IT ( for each group). (c–g) Representative Western blot images of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1 and quantifications of their expression levels in testicular tissues. DM induced a marked decrease in these parameters. Treatment by IT significantly increased the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and NQO1. The expressions of these proteins in the INS group were only slightly altered ( for each group). DM: diabetes mellitus; INS: insulin treatment; IT: islet transplantation. vs. control; ^& vs. DM; ⁺ vs. INS.

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