Oral supplementation of standardized extract of Withania somnifera protects against diabetes-induced testicular oxidative impairments in prepubertal rats.
Male reproductive dysfunctions and infertility are the common consequences of overt diabetes. Available evidence support oxidative stress to be the underlying mechanism for the manifestation of testicular complications during diabetes. In the present study, we assessed the attenuating effects of Withania somnifera root extract (WS) on diabetes-induced testicular oxidative disturbances in prepubertal rats. Four-week-old prepubertal rats were assigned into nondiabetic control, streptozotocin (STZ)-treated and STZ+WS supplemented (500 mg/kg b.w./d, oral, 15 days) groups. Experimental diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (90 mg/kg b.w). Terminally, all animals were killed, and markers of oxidative stress were determined in the testis cytosol and mitochondrial fraction. Severe hyperglycemia and regression in testis size were apparent in diabetic rats. A decline in antioxidant defenses with subsequent elevation in the generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation was discernible in testis cytosol and mitochondria of diabetic prepubertal rats, which was significantly reversed by WS. However, there was partial restoration of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, and 3-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities in testis of diabetic prepubertal rats administered with WS. Taken together, data accrued suggest the potential of WS to improve diabetes-induced testicular dysfunctions in prepubertal rats.
Obstetrics & Gynecology, B330, Magee Women's Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA, kncshekar11@yahoo.co.in.
Chandrashekara Nagaraj
CN
Kyathanahalli
Mallayya Jayawanth
MJ
Manjunath
Muralidhara
D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005978:Glutathione; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D013311:Streptozocin / Q000494:pharmacology; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology; D032341:Withania / Q000378:metabolism*
D001786:Blood Glucose; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D013311:Streptozocin; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D005954:Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase; D005978:Glutathione