Alcohol-induced oxidative stress and reduction in oxidation by ascorbate/l-cys/ l-met in the testis, ovary, kidney, and lung of rat

Abstract

Chronic exposure to high doses of alcohol results in many pathophysiologic changes in cellular function caused by the alcohol itself and the effects of its metabolism (ie, generation of acetaldehyde, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide [NADH], free radicals, and oxidative stress). However, the role of each of these effects on the testis, ovary, kidney, and lung in chronic alcoholism must be investigated. It is hypothesized that cysteine-methionine and vitamin C might neutralize harmful compounds and potentiate the antioxidant capacity of the cell or tissue. In this study, rats were fed regular diets and were maintained in the following groups for 90 days: control group; alcoholic group (2.5 g of 50% ethanol/kg body wt administered intragastrically every other day); and alcoholic with antioxidant supplement group (2.5 g of 50% ethanol plus a solution containing 200 mg vitamin C, 100 mg cysteine, and 100 mg methionine/kg body wt administered intragastrically every other day). After treatment had been completed, rat blood, testis, ovary, kidney, and lung were taken for biochemical analysis. Mean alcohol level in the alcoholic group was raised (by 40%) compared with that in the control group, but it was lower (by 30%) in the antioxidant-supplemented group than in the alcoholic group. In accordance with the levels of alcohol, oxidized protein and lipid content in the testis, ovary, kidney, and lung were low in the control group, higher in the antioxidant-supplemented group, and highest in the alcoholic group. It is interesting to note that levels of glutathione in the testis and lung of the alcoholic group were lower than those in both the control and antioxidant-supplemented groups. In conclusion, chronic alcohol administration led to a significant increase in the level of protein oxidation in the ovary and kidney of rats. Simultaneous intake of ascorbate/L-cys/L-met, along with ethanol, partly attenuated the amount of lipid and protein oxidation that occurred in tissues with oxidative stress caused by alcohol consumption.

Antioxidant Systems and Oxidative Stress in the Testes

“…Furthermore, the ability of antioxidants such as vitamin C or lecithin to ameliorate this pathology, confirms the importance of oxidative stress in this context 110–111. In addition to inducing low sperm counts and poor sperm motility, it also appears that the oxidative stress created in the Leydig cells as a consequence of chronic alcohol exposure diminishes the steroidogenic capacity of the testes, lowering circulating testosterone levels 112…”

Taurine supplementation improves the utilization of sulfur-containing amino acids in rats continually administrated alcohol

“…Consequently, direct supplementation with taurine may be a good choice for ameliorating alcohol-induced side effects. Methionine plays a protective role in the brain; the possible mechanism is that methionine can be an antioxidant to protect brain cells from alcoholism-provoked oxidative stress [31][32][33]. Consequently, the decreased brain level of methionine might cause an increase in oxidative stress by subchronic ethanol consumption.…”

Influence of Fluoride on Rat Kidney Antioxidant System: Effects of Methionine and Vitamin E

“…The administration of methionine during intensified freeradical processes induced by lanthanum chloride [38], lead [39,40], or ethanol [41] leads to reduced peroxidation of lipids and changes in the activity of antioxidative enzymes, in kidney among others.…”