ArticleReproductive sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.)2026
Targeting the Nicotine-driven Maladaptive ER Stress Axis: Protective Roles of Melatonin and Coenzyme Q10 in Rat Testis.
Article in Reproductive sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) plays a pivotal role in protein folding and cellular homeostasis and is highly sensitive to oxidative stress. Nicotine is a potent pro-oxidant; however, its effects on ER stress signaling in testicular tissue and the protective potential of melatonin and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) remain insufficiently defined. This study investigated nicotine-induced sperm dysfunction and the involvement of oxidative stress-mediated ER stress pathways in rat testes. Two-month-old male Wistar albino rats (n = 48) were assigned to control, nicotine, nicotine + melatonin, nicotine + CoQ10, nicotine + melatonin + CoQ10, and melatonin + CoQ10 groups. Sperm quality was evaluated, and testicular tissue was analyzed for oxidative stress markers, ER stress-related gene expression, histopathological alterations, and immunohistochemical localization of proteins. Nicotine exposure significantly impaired sperm motility and membrane integrity and increased abnormal morphology, mortality, and apoptosis (p < 0.001). These effects were associated with elevated lipid peroxidation and depletion of antioxidant defenses, including reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase (p < 0.001). Melatonin and/or CoQ10 partially restored sperm quality and antioxidant capacity. Moreover, antioxidant treatment significantly downregulated ER stress-associated genes (Activating transcription factor 4-ATF4; Activating transcription factor 6-ATF6; C/EBP homologous protein-CHOP; 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein-GRP78; inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha-IRE1α; and protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase-PERK) and reduced CHOP immunoreactivity, while CoQ10 selectively enhanced XBP-1 immunoreactivity. In conclusion, nicotine-induced testicular dysfunction is mediated by oxidative stress-driven ER stress activation, whereas melatonin and CoQ10 confer protection through modulation of redox balance and ER stress signaling.
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