ASSESSMENT OF TURMERIC-BASED TREATMENT EFFICACY AGAINST HIGH FAT DIET-INDUCED DYSLIPIDAEMIA AND TESTICULAR DAMAGES IN WISTAR RATS

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of turmeric and black pepper on high-fatdiet-related biochemical and histological disorders in WISTAR rats. Fifteen male rats were divided into 3 groups (n=5), G1: control that received 350g/d of standard diet; G2: 350g/d of High Fat Diet (HFD) and G3: that received 350g/d of HFD supplemented with turmeric and black pepper (TBP) for two months. Our results showed that HFD induced a significant increase in total cholesterol and triglycerides. However, the HDL level was decreased. In addition, a significant increase in weight gain values and a significant decrease in relative testicular weight were observed. Moreover, the HFD significantly increased testicular oxidative stress expressed as Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substance (TBARS) levels. The histological analysis showed a decrease in sperm cells number in the seminiferous tubules lumen, and reduced seminiferous epithelium thickness in rats treated with HFD. On the other hand, TBP treatment was able to prevent the HFD biochemical and histopathological effects on testes and lipid profile. In conclusion, our results indicate that TBP supplementation can effectively reduce the deleterious effects of HFD on the lipid profile and the testicular structure.