title: Quercetin supplementation restores testicular function and augments germ cell survival in the estrogenized rats.
abstract: Quercetin, as a flavonoid, has been recognized to possess dual properties of an oxidant and antioxidant as well. The role of quercetin (QC), as an antioxidant in countering estradiol-3-benzoate (EB) induced adverse effects and germ cell apoptosis in adult rat testis was presently investigated. Adult rats received EB (0.075 mg/rat/5th day) alone or EB+QC (15 mg/kg bw/alternate day) simultaneously for 30 days. Revival of spermatogenesis following QC intervention was associated with a significant restoration in serum and intra-testicular levels of testosterone. Decline in lipid peroxidation and simultaneous improvement in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione s-transferase were very much evident. Identically, total antioxidant capacity and glutathione demonstrated a marked improvement. QC augmented germ cell survival leading to a decrease in cell apoptosis. Expression of downstream apoptotic markers, caspase-3 and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) presented a significant reduction. Down regulation with respect to upstream markers, caspase-8 and -9, Fas, FasL, Bax, and p53 was similarly observed. Taken together, the above findings indicate that with the dose presently used quercetin with its antioxidant and antiestrogenic properties restored testicular function leading to revival of spermatogenesis. It also augmented germ cell survival primarily mediated through downregulation in the expressions of upstream, downstream and other markers in the pathways of metazoan apoptosis.
authors: Department of Reproductive Biomedicine, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Baba Gang Nath Marg, Munirka, New Delhi 110067, India; Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110007, India.
authors: Shilpa
authors: S
authors: Bharti
authors: Department of Reproductive Biomedicine, National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, Baba Gang Nath Marg, Munirka, New Delhi 110067, India. Electronic address: mm_misro@yahoo.com.
authors: M M
authors: MM
authors: Misro
authors: Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110007, India.
authors: Umesh
authors: U
authors: Rai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D020169:Caspases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002374:Catalase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004958:Estradiol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011794:Quercetin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: C074283:estradiol 3-benzoate; D013739:Testosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D011794:Quercetin; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D020169:Caspases; D005978:Glutathione
keywords: Apoptosis; Estradiol-3-benzoate; Germ cell survival; Oxidative stress; Quercetin; Testis