Authors: Chandrashekara Nagaraj Kyathanahalli Mallayya Jayawanth Manjunath Muralidhara
Publish Date: 2014/02/01
Volume: 251, Issue: 5, Pages: 1021-1029
Abstract
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 diabetesinduced testicular oxidative disturbances in prepubertal rats Fourweekold prepubertal rats were assigned into nondiabetic control streptozotocin STZtreated and STZ + WS supplemented 500 mg/kg bw/d oral 15 days groups Experimental diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ 90 mg/kg bw 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 glucose6phosphate dehydrogenase lactate dehydrogenase and 3beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities in testis of diabetic prepubertal rats administered with WS Taken together data accrued suggest the potential of WS to improve diabetesinduced testicular dysfunctions in prepubertal ratsThis study was supported by a grant from the Department of Science and Technology DST New Delhi Government of India DSTSR/SO/AS48 to the senior author The first author KNC gratefully acknowledges the granting agency for the financial assistance in the form of a Junior Research Fellowship
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