Effects of Lycium barbarum Polysaccharide on Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Oxidative Stress in Obese Mice

Abstract

Background: The incidence of obesity-associated decline in male fertility has increased over the years. Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), a natural plant polysaccharide extracted from the Chinese herb L. barbarum has shown promising therapeutic effects in overcoming the same.Aim: This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of LBP on the testes of obese mice.Methods: Following administration of LBP to high-fat diet-induced obese mice for 35 days, serum, sperm, and testis samples were obtained for subsequent experiments. Biochemical analysis and sex hormone content determination were performed to observe changes in glycolipid metabolism and testosterone levels, respectively, in the blood. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were carried out to assess the pathological changes in the testicular tissue. Oxidative stress levels were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers were determined using western blot in the testicular tissue.Results: Our results suggested that LBP reduced glucose levels and insulin resistance, increased testosterone levels and insulin sensitivity, and decreased testicular oxidative stress and pathological damage in obese mice. In addition, LBP down-regulated the expression of p-eIF2a, GRP78, and CHOP in the testicular tissues of obese mice. Conclusion:Our results show that LBP is a potential novel drug for preventing male infertility caused by obesity.

Hypoglycemic Effect of Exopolysaccharide from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum JLAU103 on Streptozotocin and High-Fat Diet-Induced Type 2 Diabetic Mice

“…In addition, numerous studies have shown that oxidative stress increases the production of free radicals in fat and muscle cells, decreases antioxidant substances, and increases the accumulation of oxidation products, such as MDA [ 33 ]. It has been proven that the increase in antioxidants such as SOD and GSH-Px can eliminate reactive oxygen species and further improve oxidative stress [ 34 ]. Simulating mice using STZ results in autophosphorylation of insulin receptors and increased activity of intrinsic tyrosine kinase, phosphotyrosine phosphatase, which in turn leads to inhibition of insulin signaling, disruption of glucose and energy metabolism in the brain, and induction of impaired consciousness.…”

Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides as Antibiotic Substitutes Improve Growth Performance, Serum Immunity, Antioxidant Status, and Intestinal Health for Weaned Piglets

“…In our study, LBPs dietary supplementation increased T-AOC and GSH-Px levels but decreased MDA production. Yang F. et al (2020) reported that LBPs dietary supplementation relieved oxidative stress in high fat diet-induced obese mice. Liu et al (2021b) found that LBPs supplementation reduced myocardial oxidative stress via activation of the nuclear factor erythroid-2 antioxidant signal pathway.…”

Distinct Role of Lycium barbarum L. Polysaccharides in Oxidative Stress-Related Ocular Diseases

“…LBPs have been shown in many studies to reduce oxidative damage by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). Yang et al [ 115 ] found that LBPs intervention can improve ERS and oxidative stress, as well as increase the expression of antioxidase-related indexes in the testis of obese mice induced by the high-fat diet. Moreover, LBPs can ERS signaling by inhibiting the activation of p-eIF2α and GRP78-CHOP, reducing oxidative stress [ 115 ] (see Figure 5 ).…”