Ergothioneine attenuates varicocele-induced testicular damage by upregulating HSP90AA1 in rats

This study investigates the therapeutic effect and the underlying mechanisms of ergothioneine (EGT) on the testicular damage caused by varicocele (VC) in vivo, in vitro, and in silico. This preclinical study combines a series of biological experiments and network pharmacology analyses. A total of 18 Sprague Dawley (SD) male rats were randomly and averagely divided into three groups: the sham-operated, VC model, and VC model with EGT treatment (VC + EGT) groups. The left renal vein of the VC model and the VC + EGT groups were half-ligated for 4 weeks. Meanwhile, the VC + EGT group was intragastrically administrated with EGT (10 mg/kg). GC1 and GC2 cells were exposed to H2O2 with or without EGT treatment to re-verify the conclusion. The structure disorder of seminiferous tubules ameliorated the apoptosis decrease in the VC rats receiving EGT. EGT can also increase the sperm quality of the VC model rats (p < 0.05). The exposure to H2O2 decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis of GC1 and GC2 cells, which was revisable by adding EGT to the plates (p < 0.05). The network pharmacology and molecular docking were conducted to explore the potential targets of EGT in VC, and HSP90AA1 was identified as the pivotal gene, which was validated by western blot, immunohistochemistry, and RT-qPCR both in vivo and in vitro (p < 0.05). Overall, EGT attenuates the testicular injury in the VC model both in vivo and in vitro by potentially potentiating the expression of HSP90AA1.

Automated summary

This study investigates the therapeutic effect of ergothioneine (EGT) on testicular damage caused by varicocele (VC) through in vivo, in vitro, and in silico experiments. The results demonstrate that EGT can alleviate the structural disorder and apoptosis in seminiferous tubules, and improve sperm quality in VC rats. Network pharmacology and molecular docking reveal that HSP90AA1 is a crucial gene targeted by EGT in VC, which is validated by western blot, immunohistochemistry, and RT-qPCR. Overall, EGT attenuates testicular injury in VC models by potentially enhancing the expression of HSP90AA1.