Possible mechanisms involved in the protective effect of lutein against cyclosporine-induced testicular damage in rats

• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24989
• Publication Date: 2024-01-22T17:22:33Z
• Authors: Obukohwo Mega Oyovwi; Benneth Ben-Azu; Edesiri Prince Tesi; Victor Emojevwe; Rume Arientare Rotu; Goodies Emuesiri ...; Emuesiri Umukoro; Jerome Ndudi Asiwe; Kingsley Eze Nwangwa
• Keywords: Inflammation; H1-99; 0301 basic medicine; Science (General); Reproduction; Lutein; Apoptosis; Social sciences (General); Q1-390; 03 medical and health sciences; Cyclosporine; Oxidative status; Research Article

Oxidative stress and aberrant inflammatory response have important implications in cyclosporin-induced reproductive functions. Previous studies shown that agents with antioxidant anti-inflammatory activities might be beneficial reversing impairment. Lutein is a naturally occurring compound properties. However, the effect of lutein against impairment remains complete. Hence, we investigated protective lutein, specifically focusing on role nuclear factor erythroid 2 related factor-2 (Nrf2)/heme-oxygenase-1 (HO-1)/connexin-43 (Cx-43) upregulation system cyclosporine-induced Six male Wistar rats were allotted into 5 groups given daily gavage cyclosporine (40 mg/kg) and/or (30 for four (4) weeks or combination, respectively. The testicular scaffolds: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), add to sulfhydryl (T-SH), non-protein (NP-SH), reductase (GR), glutathione-S -transferase (GST), peroxidase (GSH-Px), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), myeloperoxidase (MPO), proinflammatory cytokines, apoptotic protein, nucleic acids, sialic acid, proton pump ATPase, responsive BTB-related protein total levels testes assayed thereafter. Cyclosporin significantly increased NOX-1, TNF-α, IL-1β, MPO, caspase-3 -9 levels, which reversed by lutein. decreases Nrf2, HO-1, BCL-2, cytochrome C, corresponding increase CAT, SOD, GSH, T-SH, NP-SH, GST, GR, GSH-Px, Cx-43 compared cyclosporin groups. also abates alterations Na + -K -ATPase activities. Our findings showed lutein's associated mechanisms linked its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, properties, notably through up-regulation Nrf2/HO-1/Cx-43 signaling down-regulation NOX-1 signaling.