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. 2017 Nov;22(6):556-562.
doi: 10.1080/13510002.2017.1322750. Epub 2017 May 5.

Betulinic acid protects against N-nitrosodimethylamine-induced redox imbalance in testes of rats

Gbadebo E Adeleke  1 , Oluwatosin A Adaramoye  2
Affiliations

Betulinic acid protects against N-nitrosodimethylamine-induced redox imbalance in testes of rats

Gbadebo E Adeleke et al. Redox Rep. 2017 Nov.

Abstract

Objectives: N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is known to elicit carcinogenic activity in the liver and kidney of animals. There is a dearth of information of its effect in testis. This study evaluated the protective role of betulinic acid (BA) against NDMA-induced redox imbalance in testes of rats.

Methodology: Twenty-four male rats were assigned into four groups and treated with normal saline, BA, NDMA and [BA+NDMA]. BA (25 mg/kg) was given for 14 days, while NDMA (5 mg/kg) was given on days 7 and 12.

Results: Administration of NDMA significantly increased the weight and relative weight of testes by 51 and 71%, respectively, while treatment with BA attenuated the weight-gain. Furthermore, NDMA decreased the sperm count, motility and live-dead ratio by 57, 36 and 37%, respectively, and increased total sperm abnormality by 56%. However, BA attenuated the changes in the spermiogram of NDMA-treated rats. NDMA significantly decreased the activities of antioxidative enzymes, follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormones, while testicular levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and total cholesterol were increased. Also, NDMA increased the activities of aniline hydroxylase and aminopyrine-N-demethylase. Supplementation with BA attenuated NDMA-induced alteration in these biochemical indices.

Conclusion: BA protects against NDMA-induced redox imbalance via activation of antioxidative pathway.

Keywords: Sperm quality; antioxidant; oxidative stress; phase I and II enzymes; toxicant.

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Conflict of interest statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
The levels of testicular TBARS in rats treated with NMDA and BA (alone and combination).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Activity of SOD in rats treated with NMDA and BA (alone and combination).
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
The activities of glutathione peroxidase and CAT in rats treated with NMDA and BA (alone and combination).
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Levels of testicular GSH in rats treated with NMDA and BA (alone and combination).
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Activity of testicular GST in rats treated with NMDA and BA (alone and combination).
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Representative photomicrographs of testes from control and NDMA-treated rats. Control testes (A) showed normal morphology. Treatment-related lesions such as mild congestion, degeneration of the seminiferous tubules and distortion in the testes of NDMA-treated rats (C) were reduced in [NDMA+BA]-treated rats (D), while photomicrographs from BA-treated rats (B) appeared similar to the control (A). BA: betulinic acid; NDMA: N-nitrosodimethylamine.
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