Abstract:The Harderian gland (HG) of Rattus norvegicus is an orbital gland secreting lipids that accumulate in excess under condition of increased lipid metabolism. To study the response elicitated by lipid overload in rat HG, we housed the animals in thermoneutral conditions (28−30°C) in association to high fat diet (HFD). In HFD rats alterated blood lipid levels result in lipid accumulation in HG as demonstrated by the increased gland weight and histochemical/ultrastructural analyses. The HFD‐caused oxidative stress … Show more
“…This was in accordance with higher levels of serum cholesterol and triglycerides found in the rats fed with HFD, suggesting that high fat intake induced lipophagy in the corpus of epididymis as a protective response to lipid accumulation. These data are in line with those of our previous study, where we found that the expression of the Perilipin3 protein was higher in the Harderian gland (a lipoprotein gland) of rats following an HFD treatment (Chieffi Baccari et al, 2022).…”
The epididymis plays an essential role in reproduction, promoting sperm cell maturation. In this study, we investigated the effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) in the three regions of the epididymis of rats, including caput, corpus, and cauda. Our results showed an increase in malondialdehyde and a decrease in superoxide dismutase, which indicated an increase in oxidative stress in all segments of the epididymis. The cellular response mechanisms were mostly detected in the corpus/ cauda regions, which showed an increase in apoptosis, probably for eliminating dysfunctional cells arising from HFD-induced oxidative stress, and a decrease in mitophagy. Additionally, an increase in lipophagy to prevent lipid accumulation and a decrease in cell proliferation were recorded in the corpus.
“…This was in accordance with higher levels of serum cholesterol and triglycerides found in the rats fed with HFD, suggesting that high fat intake induced lipophagy in the corpus of epididymis as a protective response to lipid accumulation. These data are in line with those of our previous study, where we found that the expression of the Perilipin3 protein was higher in the Harderian gland (a lipoprotein gland) of rats following an HFD treatment (Chieffi Baccari et al, 2022).…”
The epididymis plays an essential role in reproduction, promoting sperm cell maturation. In this study, we investigated the effects of a high-fat diet (HFD) in the three regions of the epididymis of rats, including caput, corpus, and cauda. Our results showed an increase in malondialdehyde and a decrease in superoxide dismutase, which indicated an increase in oxidative stress in all segments of the epididymis. The cellular response mechanisms were mostly detected in the corpus/ cauda regions, which showed an increase in apoptosis, probably for eliminating dysfunctional cells arising from HFD-induced oxidative stress, and a decrease in mitophagy. Additionally, an increase in lipophagy to prevent lipid accumulation and a decrease in cell proliferation were recorded in the corpus.
“…3 G). These data suggest that mitochondrial DNA copy number does not directly correlate with mtDNA damage [ 35 ] and that mitochondrial biogenesis, fission, and fusion may adjust for any potential loss in mtDNA copy number [ 36 ]. Fig.…”
“…It should be mentioned that the rat HG is located in the medial corner of the orbit, and it is continuously exposed to light, therefore the porphyrins produced can absorb UV light generating ROS via photo-oxidation (Hugo et al, 1987;Spike et al, 1990) 2021) demonstrated that in the hamster HG, autophagy and selective autophagy are activated as a protective response to OS induced by elevated intake of fructose, a nutritional element which plays a fundamental role in the developing disorders associated with metabolic syndrome. Because of this evidence, rodent HG is used as a model to have more insights and a better understanding of OS and its effects (Chieffi Baccari et al, 2022;Coto-Montes & Tomas-Zapico, 2006;Coto-Montes et al, 2001;Kong et al, 2021;Romano et al, 2022;Tomás-Zapico et al, 2005).…”
Using a rat model of type 1 diabetes (T1D) obtained by treatment with streptozotocin, an antibiotic that destroys pancreatic β‐cells, we evaluated the influence of subsequent hyperglycemia on the morphology and physiology of the Harderian gland (HG). HG is located in the medial corner of the orbit of many terrestrial vertebrates and, in rodents, is characterized by the presence of porphyrins, which being involved in the phototransduction, through photo‐oxidation, produce reactive oxygen species activating the autophagy pathway. The study focused on the expression of some morphological markers involved in cell junction formation (occludin, connexin‐43, and α‐tubulin) and mast cell number (MCN), as well as autophagic and apoptotic pathways. The expression of enzymes involved in steroidogenesis [steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and 3β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β‐HSD)] and the level of lipid peroxidation by thiobarbituric acid reactive species assay were also evaluated. The results strongly indicate, for the first time, that T1D has a negative impact on the pathophysiology of rat HG, as evidenced by increased oxidative stress, morphological and biochemical alterations, hyperproduction and secretion of porphyrins, increased MCN, reduced protein levels of StAR and 3β‐HSD, and, finally, induced autophagy and apoptosis. All the combined data support the use of the rat HG as a suitable experimental model to elucidate the molecular damage/survival pathways elicited by stress conditions.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
