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Oleuropein protects against ethanol-induced oxidative stress and modulates sperm quality in the rat testis

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Mediterranean Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant properties of oleuropein on ethanol-induced oxidative stress in the rat testis. 32 adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four equal groups: the first group as a control, the second group of rats were given ethanol (4 g/kg), the third group received oleuropein (15 mg/kg), and the fourth group of rats were supplemented of oleuropein (15 mg/kg) and after 120 min were ingested via ethanol (4 g/kg) orally. Oleuropein could prevent the reduction of motility and plasma membrane integrity of the spermatozoa against ethanol-induced oxidative stress in treated rats (P < 0.05). While, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (as a lipid peroxidation marker) concentration was decreased significantly in the oleuropein plus ethanol group compared to the ethanol group (P < 0.05). Notably, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity increased significantly in the ethanol-treated animals compared to controls and total glutathione (GSH-content) increased significantly in ethanol-treated rats compared to the oleuropein group. Our findings suggest that oleuropein possesses beneficial antioxidant effects on ethanol-induced sperm toxicity, subsequently enhancing sperm motility and plasma membrane integrity.

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Acknowledgments

This research was financially supported by Lorestan University Research Council and Lorestan University of Medical Sciences. The authors wish to thank Dr. A. Tamaddon (The member of Stem Cell and Transgenic Technology Research Center Shiraz University of Medical Sciences Shiraz, Iran) for expert revision on the final manuscript of this study. We are most grateful to Dr. P. Hashemi (The member of Basic Sciences School, Lorestan University) for providing of oleuropein standard as well as Dr. B. Rasoulian for his kindly cooperation in Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, P. O. Box 465, Khorram Abad, Iran

    M. Alirezaei

  2. Razi Herbal Medicines Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorram Abad, Iran

    M. Alirezaei & Sh. Neamati

  3. Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Lorestan University, P. O. Box 465, Khorram Abad, Iran

    A. Kheradmand

  4. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Khorram Abad Branch, Khorram Abad, Iran

    R. Heydari

  5. Stem Cell and Transgenic Technology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

    N. Tanideh

  6. Young Researchers Club, Khorram Abad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khorram Abad, Iran

    M. Rashidipour

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  1. M. Alirezaei
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  2. A. Kheradmand
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Correspondence to M. Alirezaei.

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Alirezaei, M., Kheradmand, A., Heydari, R. et al. Oleuropein protects against ethanol-induced oxidative stress and modulates sperm quality in the rat testis. Mediterr J Nutr Metab 5, 205–211 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12349-011-0079-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12349-011-0079-2

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