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

• Published in: Redox report : communications in free radical research 2017-11, Vol.22 (6), p.556-562
• Main Authors: Adeleke, Gbadebo E., Adaramoye, Oluwatosin A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; antioxidant; Antioxidants - metabolism; Dimethylnitrosamine - toxicity; Lipid Peroxidation - drug effects; Liver - drug effects; Male; Oxidation-Reduction - drug effects; oxidative stress; Pentacyclic Triterpenes; phase I and II enzymes; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Sperm quality; Testis - drug effects; Testis - metabolism; toxicant; Triterpenes - pharmacology
• ISSN: 1351-0002; 1743-2928
• DOI: 10.1080/13510002.2017.1322750

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.