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Oral supplementation of standardized extract of Withania somnifera protects against diabetes-induced testicular oxidative impairments in prepubertal rats

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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 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.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), New Delhi, Government of India (DST-SR/SO/AS-48), 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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None of the authors has a conflict of interest related to the material presented in this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Obstetrics & Gynecology, B330, Magee Women’s Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Chandrashekara Nagaraj Kyathanahalli

  2. Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore, 570 020, India

    Chandrashekara Nagaraj Kyathanahalli, Mallayya Jayawanth Manjunath &  Muralidhara

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  1. Chandrashekara Nagaraj Kyathanahalli
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  2. Mallayya Jayawanth Manjunath
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  3. Muralidhara
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Correspondence to Chandrashekara Nagaraj Kyathanahalli.

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Kyathanahalli, C.N., Manjunath, M.J. & Muralidhara Oral supplementation of standardized extract of Withania somnifera protects against diabetes-induced testicular oxidative impairments in prepubertal rats. Protoplasma 251, 1021–1029 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00709-014-0612-5

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