Kaliandra Honey Improves Testosterone Levels, Diameter and Epithelial Thickness of Seminiferous Tubule of White Rat () Due to Malnutrition Through Stimulation of HSP70

Background: Malnutrition can cause an increase in oxidative stress as it triggers the expression of heat shock protein70 (HSP70), a chaperon molecule that is needed to repair damaged cells within optimal levels. Honey is a source of feed that can stimulate HSP70 expression, which can be given to the malnourished in the animal trial.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to prove that Kaliandra honey can improve testosterone levels, diameter, and epithelial thickness of the seminiferous tubule of rat testes () due to malnutrition through stimulation of HSP70, which is expressed immunohistochemically.

Methods: This study used 40 male rats, which were divided into four treatment groups: T0 (negative control): normal rats and not given honey; T1 (positive control): malnourished rats and not given honey; T2 (treatment 2): malnourished rats and given 30% Kaliandra honey (v/v) for 10 days; T3 (treatment 3), malnourished rats and given 50% Kaliandra honey (v/v) for 10 days. The condition of malnutrition is carried out by fasting the feed for five consecutive days resulting in damage to the male reproductive organs, especially the testes.

Results: The results showed that Kaliandra honey at a dose of 50% (v/v) had a significant effect in improving testosterone levels, diameter, and epithelial thickness of seminiferous tubule of malnourished male rats through stimulation of HSP70 expression. The HSP70 expression scores by IHC at T0, T1, T2, and T3 were 0.15 ± 0.5, 3.15 ± 0.4, 2.95 ± 0.35, and 1.75 ± 0.15, sequentially. enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay indirect testosterone levels at T0, T1, T2, and T3 (in μg/dl) were 36.39 ± 0.35, 6.12 ± 0.51, 7.45 ± 0.15, 25.27 ± 0.63, sequentially. The diameter and epithelial thickness of the seminiferous tubule of the testes (in μm) in the four treatments T0, T1, T2, and T3 were 362.40 ± 4.71, 248.46 ± 3.90, 255.22 ± 2.34, 318.37 ± 4.23 and 117.60 ± 11.30, 3.86 ± 1.57, 9.72 ± 3.96, 29.84 ± 4.02 sequentially.

Conclusion: The conclusion of the study showed that Kaliandra honey at a dose of 50% (v/v) had a significant effect in improving testosterone levels, diameter, and epithelial thickness of the seminiferous tubule of malnourished rats through stimulation of HSP70, although not significantly the same as negative control (T0).