1
|
Zhao H, You X, Chen Q, Yang S, Ma Q, He Y, Liu C, Dun Y, Wu J, Zhang C, Yuan D. Icariin Improves Age-Related Testicular Dysfunction by Alleviating Sertoli Cell Injury via Upregulation of the ER α/Nrf2-Signaling Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2020; 11:677. [PMID: 32528279 PMCID: PMC7247842 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2020.00677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Sertoli cells play crucial roles in spermatogenesis and are impaired by aging. Icariin, a flavonoid from Epimedium, has been reported to exhibit anti-aging effects and improve testicular dysfunction in the clinical setting. However, whether icariin improves age-related degeneration of testicular function via protection from Sertoli cell injury remains unclear. In the present study, we evaluated the protective effect of icariin on Sertoli cell injury and explored the possible mechanism(s) in vivo and in vitro. Dietary administration of icariin for 4 months significantly ameliorated the age-related decline in testicular function by increasing testicular and epididymal weights and indices, sperm count and sperm viability, testicular testosterone and estradiol concentrations, and seminiferous tubule diameters and heights. In addition, icariin protected age-related Sertoli cells from injury as evidenced by an analysis of Sertoli cell number, ultrastructure, and function. Such changes were accompanied by upregulation of ERα and Nrf2 signaling in Sertoli cells. Parallel in vitro studies also demonstrated that icariin inhibited untoward effects on the TM4 mouse Sertoli cell line with concomitant upregulation of ERα and Nrf2 signaling. Conversely, ERα siRNA reversed icariin-mediated protection of Sertoli cell injury. Our data suggest that icariin effectively ameliorates age-related degeneration of testicular function by alleviating Sertoli cell injury via the ERα/Nrf2 signal-transduction pathway. Thus, mitigating Sertoli cell damage via the ERα/Nrf2 signaling pathway likely represents a promising strategy for the prevention of age-related testicular dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haixia Zhao
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China.,Third-Grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Chinese Medicine Approved by State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Xu You
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Qian Chen
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China.,The Second People's Hospital of Yichang, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Siqi Yang
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Qiongyan Ma
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Yumin He
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China.,Third-Grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Chinese Medicine Approved by State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Chaoqi Liu
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Yaoyan Dun
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Jie Wu
- Material Analysis and Testing Center, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Changcheng Zhang
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China.,Third-Grade Pharmacological Laboratory on Chinese Medicine Approved by State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| | - Ding Yuan
- College of Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Erdemli Z, Erdemli ME, Turkoz Y, Gul M, Yigitcan B, Gozukara Bag H. The effects of acrylamide and Vitamin E administration during pregnancy on adult rats testis. Andrologia 2019; 51:e13292. [DOI: 10.1111/and.13292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Zeynep Erdemli
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry Inonu University Malatya Turkey
| | - Mehmet Erman Erdemli
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry Inonu University Malatya Turkey
| | - Yusuf Turkoz
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Biochemistry Inonu University Malatya Turkey
| | - Mehmet Gul
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology Inonu University Malatya Turkey
| | - Birgul Yigitcan
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology Inonu University Malatya Turkey
| | - Harika Gozukara Bag
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biostatistics Inonu University Malatya Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Pivotal role of carnosine in the modulation of brain cells activity: Multimodal mechanism of action and therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative disorders. Prog Neurobiol 2018; 175:35-53. [PMID: 30593839 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Carnosine (β-alanyl-l-histidine), a dipeptide, is an endogenous antioxidant widely distributed in excitable tissues like muscles and the brain. Although discovered more than a hundred years ago and having been extensively studied in the periphery, the role of carnosine in the brain remains mysterious. Carnosinemia, a rare metabolic disorder with increased levels of carnosine in urine and low levels or absence of carnosinase in the blood, is associated with severe neurological symptoms in humans. This review deals with the role of carnosine in the brain in both physiological and pathological conditions, with a focus on preclinical evidence suggesting a high therapeutic potential of carnosine in neurodegenerative disorders. We review carnosine and carnosinemia's discoveries and the extensive research on the role and benefits of carnosine in the periphery. We then turn to carnosine's biochemistry and distribution in the brain. Using an array of recent observations as a foundation, we draw a parallel with the role of carnosine in muscles and speculate on the role of carnosine in promoting the metabolic support of neurons by glial cells. Finally, carnosine has been shown to exert a multimodal activity including inhibition of protein cross-linking and aggregation of amyloid-β and related proteins, free radical generation, nitric oxide detoxification, and an anti-inflammatory activity. It could thus play an important role in the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. We discuss the potential of carnosine in this context and speculate on new preclinical research directions.
Collapse
|
4
|
Aydın AF, Küçükgergin C, Çoban J, Doğan-Ekici I, Doğru-Abbasoğlu S, Uysal M, Koçak-Toker N. Carnosine prevents testicular oxidative stress and advanced glycation end product formation in D-galactose-induced aged rats. Andrologia 2017; 50. [PMID: 29230838 DOI: 10.1111/and.12939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
D-Galactose is shown to mimic natural ageing in rodents by exacerbating oxidative stress and glycation. Steroid production and having a poor antioxidant system make testis vulnerable to galactose-induced ageing. Antioxidation and antiglycating actions of carnosine may be intriguing for prevention of testicular ageing. In this study, male Wistar rats were applied D-galactose (300 mg/kg; subcutaneously 5 days a week) and carnosine (250 mg/kg; intraperitoneally 5 days a week) along with D-galactose for 2 months. D-Galactose treatment increased testicular reactive oxygen species, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, diene conjugates, protein carbonyls, advanced oxidation products of proteins and advanced glycation end products. Carnosine was capable of repelling oxidative stress and glycation produced by D-galactose. Johnsen's score, which describes histopathological evaluation, was also significantly improved with preserved spermatogenesis by carnosine. It appears that carnosine deters the testicular oxidative stress due to galactose-induced ageing directly by its antioxidative and antiglycating properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A F Aydın
- Department of Biochemistry, İstanbul Medical Faculty, İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - C Küçükgergin
- Department of Biochemistry, İstanbul Medical Faculty, İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - J Çoban
- Department of Biochemistry, Yeditepe University Medical Faculty, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - I Doğan-Ekici
- Department of Medical Pathology, Yeditepe University Medical Faculty, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - S Doğru-Abbasoğlu
- Department of Biochemistry, İstanbul Medical Faculty, İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - M Uysal
- Department of Biochemistry, İstanbul Medical Faculty, İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - N Koçak-Toker
- Department of Biochemistry, İstanbul Medical Faculty, İstanbul University, İstanbul, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ding AJ, Zheng SQ, Huang XB, Xing TK, Wu GS, Sun HY, Qi SH, Luo HR. Current Perspective in the Discovery of Anti-aging Agents from Natural Products. NATURAL PRODUCTS AND BIOPROSPECTING 2017; 7:335-404. [PMID: 28567542 PMCID: PMC5655361 DOI: 10.1007/s13659-017-0135-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2017] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Aging is a process characterized by accumulating degenerative damages, resulting in the death of an organism ultimately. The main goal of aging research is to develop therapies that delay age-related diseases in human. Since signaling pathways in aging of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), fruit flies and mice are evolutionarily conserved, compounds extending lifespan of them by intervening pathways of aging may be useful in treating age-related diseases in human. Natural products have special resource advantage and with few side effect. Recently, many compounds or extracts from natural products slowing aging and extending lifespan have been reported. Here we summarized these compounds or extracts and their mechanisms in increasing longevity of C. elegans or other species, and the prospect in developing anti-aging medicine from natural products.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ai-Jun Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Shan-Qing Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Xiao-Bing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Ti-Kun Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Gui-Sheng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
- Key Laboratory for Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China
| | - Hua-Ying Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China
| | - Shu-Hua Qi
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Marine Material Medical, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, Guangdong, China
| | - Huai-Rong Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Phytochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China.
- Key Laboratory for Aging and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, Sichuan, China.
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Natural Medicinal Chemistry, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 134 Lanhei Road, Kunming, 650201, Yunnan, China.
| |
Collapse
|