Metformin Ameliorates 2.856 GHz Microwave-Radiation-Induced Reproductive Impairments in Male Rats via Inhibition of Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis

Abstract

Overview

The reproductive system has been increasingly implicated as a sensitive target of microwave radiation. Oxidative stress plays a critical role in microwave radiation-induced reproductive damage, though precise mechanisms are obscure. Metformin, a widely used antidiabetic drug, has emerged as an efficient antioxidant against a variety of oxidative injuries.

Findings

• Rats were exposed to 2.856 GHz microwave radiation for 6 weeks to simulate real-life exposure to high-frequency microwave radiation.
• Exposure to 2.856 GHz microwave radiation elicited serum hormone disorder, decreased sperm motility, depleted sperm energy, induced abnormalities of testicular structure, and mitochondrial impairment.
• Metformin effectively protected the reproductive system against structural and functional impairments caused by microwave radiation.
• Notably, it ameliorated microwave-radiation-induced oxidative injury and mitigated apoptosis in the testis, as determined by glutathione/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG), lipid peroxidation, and protein expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1).

Conclusion

These findings demonstrated that exposure to 2.856 GHz microwave radiation induces obvious structural and functional impairments of the male reproductive system, and suggested that metformin can function as a promising antioxidant to inhibit microwave-radiation-induced harmful effects by inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis.