Neurosteroid, Natural and Anabolic Steroids: Physiological, Immunological and Histopathological Study on Diabetic Albino Rats

Barany, Qais Lazgeen; Sofi, Amad M. S.; Al-Barwary, Malika K. N.

doi:10.21608/ejvs.2023.205247.1486

Neurosteroid, Natural and Anabolic Steroids: Physiological, Immunological and Histopathological Study on Diabetic Albino Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Biology department/College of science, University of Duhok, Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

² Biology department/College of science, University of Duhok, Duhok, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

10.21608/ejvs.2023.205247.1486

Abstract

Neurosteroids are endogenous steroids are produced in the nervous system and act as neurotransmitters or neuromodulators. Steroid hormones, which are primarily produced in the adrenal glands, play an essential role in the regulation of different physiological actions in the body. While anabolic steroids are synthetic substances with effects comparable to those of testosterone.
This study intended to differentiate between the roles of neurosteroid, natural steroid and anabolic synthetic steroids through investigating the effects of some physiological, immunological and histopathological on various target organs such as kidney, liver and spleen in diabetic rats.
Fifty male albino rats were randomly divided into five equal groups. The first group was used as a control fed on standard diet and injected subcutaneously with 0.5 ml normal saline. The second group was injected subcutaneously with Alloxan (100 mg/kg.bw) fed on a standard diet and served as diabetic control group, while the third group diabetic rats were orally administrated with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) (as a neurosteroid, 17.2mg/kg/day) and the fourth group diabetic rats were subcutaneously injected with hydrocortisone (as a natural steroid, 26.1mg/kg/day). Finally, the fifth group diabetic rats were intramuscularly injected with Sustanon (as an anabolic steroid, 66.9 mg/kg/week).
Based on the aforementioned results of the hematological parameters and interleukins (IL-2 & IL-6) improvements after treatment with DHEA. Fasting blood sugar and body weight after Sustanon, and lipid profile after both hydrocortisone and Sustanon. ALP was almost enhanced in all treated groups. Moreover, histopathological examination of kidney, liver and spleen showed numerously distortion.
In conclusion; from the obtained results, it can be reported that DHEA administration can improve immunity, reduce oxidative stress associated with diabetes, and ameliorate tissue damage in the kidney and spleen. Hydrocortisone may improve lipid profile, but has negative effects on immunity and tissue health. Sustanon has positive effects on blood glucose and lipid profile, but its effects on immunity is indistinguishable.

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