LB034 - THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF FOLIC ACID AND CILOSTAZOL AGAINST WIFI RADIATION EFFECT ON TESTICULAR FUNCTION

LB034

THE PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF FOLIC ACID AND CILOSTAZOL AGAINST WIFI RADIATION EFFECT ON TESTICULAR FUNCTION

R. M. Wahid^1,*, N. H. Hassan², Z. M. Saeed³, W. Samy⁴, M. M. Malek⁵, A. Talaat⁴, R. R. A. K. Atia¹, A. Wagdy⁵, S. A. Salama¹

¹medical physiology, ²Human anatomy and embryology, ³clinical pharmacology, ⁴Medical biochemistry, ⁵Urology and andrology, Faculty of medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig , Egypt

Rationale: Wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) has become the dominant method for internet access and data transmission. With its widespread use, there is a growing need to investigate its potential health effects, particularly on male reproductive function. This study aimed to explore the harmful effects of Wi-Fi exposure on testicular function, focusing on the potential protective roles of folic acid and cilostazol in promoting tissue repair and preserving cellular integrity.

Methods: Forty-eight adult male albino rats were divided into six groups: Group Ia (control), Group Ib (control + folic acid), Group Ic (control + cilostazol), Group IIa (Wi-Fi exposed), Group IIb (Wi-Fi exposed + folic acid), and Group IIc (Wi-Fi exposed + cilostazol). After two months, semen samples were analyzed for oxidative stress markers MDA and SOD, and serum was assessed for reproductive hormones (total testosterone, FSH, and LH). The rats were then sacrificed, and testicular gene expression (Bcl-2، p53, MAPK-JNK, and CHOP) was evaluated using real-time PCR. Histological and immunohistochemical examinations of the testicular tissue were also performed, focusing on Vimentin, Caspase-3, and TNF-α. One-way ANOVA was performed to find significant differences between groups, and group comparisons were conducted using the post-hoc LSD test. The statistical significance criterion was set at P<0.05. The statistical analysis is done by using SPSS program 19

Results: Treated groups IIb and IIc showed significant recovery in serum levels of FSH, LH, and total testosterone, along with notable improvement in semen oxidative stress markers compared to the Wi-Fi-exposed Group IIa. The most pronounced improvements were observed in Group IIc (cilostazol -treated; P<0.001). PCR results revealed increased expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and decreased expression of p53, MAPK-JNK, and CHOP in both treated groups IIb and IIc compared to the Wi-Fi-exposed Group IIa - which showed the worest results among all groups -, with Group IIc (cilostazol-treated) showing the most favorable gene expression profile. Histological analysis (H&E staining) showed no observable differences among control groups (Ia, Ib, Ic), while Group IIa exhibited the most severe degenerative changes. Group IIc demonstrated the best preserved testicular architecture, whereas Group IIb showed moderate improvement. These histological findings were supported by immunohistochemical analysis of Caspase-3 and TNF-α, reflecting patterns of tissue damage and inflammation.

Conclusion: Wi-Fi exposure adversely affects testicular function and spermatogenesis. However, administration of folic acid and cilostazol significantly mitigates these effects particularly cilostazol by reducing oxidative and DNA damaging consequences, enhancing DNA repair mechanisms, and preserving tissue integrity.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared