title: Genistein mitigates radiation-induced testicular injury.
abstract: The present study investigated the radioprotective effect of a multifunctional soy isoflavone, genistein, with the testicular system. Genistein was administered (200 mg/kg body weight) to male C3H/HeN mice by subcutaneous injection 24 h prior to pelvic irradiation (5 Gy). Histopathological parameters were evaluated 12 h and 21 days post-irradiation. Genistein protected the germ cells from radiation-induced apoptosis (p < 0.05 vs vehicle-treated irradiated mice at 12 h post-irradiation). Genistein significantly attenuated radiation-induced reduction in testis weight, seminiferous tubular diameter, seminiferous epithelial depth and sperm head count in the testes (p < 0.05 vs vehicle-treated irradiated mice at 21 days post-irradiation). Repopulation and stem cell survival indices of the seminiferous tubules were increased in the genistein-treated group compared with the vehicle-treated irradiation group at 21 days post-irradiation (p < 0.01). The irradiation-mediated decrease in the sperm count and sperm mobility in the epididymis was counteracted by genistein (p < 0.01), but no effect on the frequency of abnormal sperm was evident. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated using DCFDA method and exposure to irradiation elevated ROS levels in the testis and genistein treatment resulted in a significant attenuation of radiation-induced ROS production. The results indicate that genistein protects from testicular dysfunction induced by gamma-irradiation by an antiapoptotic effect and recovery of spermatogenesis.
authors.affiliation: Research Center, Dongnam Institute of Radiological and Medical Sciences-DIRAMS, Busan 619-753, South Korea. jskim@dirams.re.kr
authors.forename: Joong-Sun
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Heo
authors.forename: Joo-Mi
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.forename: Eun Ji
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Kwangmo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Changjong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Sung-Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D005720:Gamma Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019833:Genistein / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D009929:Organ Size; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011833:Radiation Injuries, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013091:Spermatogenesis; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011837:Radiation-Protective Agents; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D019833:Genistein