European Journal of Nutrition

, Volume 53, Issue 6, pp 1383–1391 | Cite as

Effect of white tea (Camellia sinensis (L.)) extract in the glycolytic profile of Sertoli cell

  • A. D. Martins
  • M. G. Alves
  • R. L. Bernardino
  • T. R. Dias
  • B. M. Silva
  • P. F. Oliveira
Original Contribution
First Online:
Received:
Accepted:

Abstract

Purpose

Many health benefits have been attributed to tea (Camellia sinensis (L.)), and tea infusions are used as dietary agent and included in food supplements. Herein, we report the effect of a white tea (WTEA) extract in Sertoli cell (SC) metabolism. The SC is responsible for the nutritional support of the developing germ cells.

Methods

An aqueous WTEA extract was prepared and analyzed by 1H-NMR. Rat SCs were cultured with or without the WTEA extract. mRNA and protein levels of glucose transporters (GLUT1 and GLUT3), phosphofructokinase, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and monocarboxylate transporter 4 were determined by qPCR and western blot. LDH activity was assessed and metabolite production/consumption determined by 1H-NMR.

Results

WTEA-exposed SCs presented decreased protein and mRNA levels of GLUT1 and decreased glucose uptake. However, intracellular LDH activity was increased and SC lactate production was stimulated by the presence of the WTEA extract. Interestingly, alanine production was also found to be stimulated in WTEA extract-exposed SCs.

Conclusion

WTEA extract altered the glycolytic profile of cultured SCs, stimulating lactate production. Since lactate is used as metabolic substrate and has an anti-apoptotic effect in the developing germ cells, the supplementation with WTEA extract may be advantageous to improve male reproductive health.

Keywords

White tea Camellia sinensis (L.) Sertoli Metabolism Lactate 
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Notes

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the “Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia”—FCT (PTDC/QUI-BIQ/121446/2010 and PEst-C/SAU/UI0709/2011) co-funded by Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional—FEDER via Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade—COMPETE/QREN. MG Alves (SFRH/BPD/80451/2011) was funded by FCT. PF Oliveira was funded by FCT through FSE and POPH funds (Programa Ciência 2008).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  • A. D. Martins
    • 1
  • M. G. Alves
    • 1
  • R. L. Bernardino
    • 1
  • T. R. Dias
    • 1
  • B. M. Silva
    • 1
  • P. F. Oliveira
    • 1
  1. 1.CICS-UBI, Health Sciences Research Centre, Faculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Beira InteriorCovilhãPortugal

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