Quercetin upregulates CREM gene expression in cyanide-induced endocrine dysfunction

Abstract

Cyanide is among the ubiquitous chemicals that humans are usually exposed to and it is well documented that cyanide induces infertility in humans and experimental rodents. However, the pathogenesis remains unknown. Likewise, quercetin is an important nutraceutical that detoxifies reactive oxygen species, but its effects on testicular damage is not clear. The present study investigated the role of nutraceutical, quercetin on cyanide-induced testicular toxicity and probable involvement of cAMP-response-element modulator (CREM) which is a transcription factor necessary for the process of spermatogenesis. Thus, this work hypothesized that quercetin will mitigate endocrine dysfunction induced by cyanide. Seventy-two adult male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups (A to G). Groups A, B, C, F and G comprised of eight (8) rats per group while groups D and E comprised of sixteen (16) rats per group. Group A was designated as control while Groups B and C were given 0.5 and 1 mg/kg of cyanide respectively for 56 days. Group D and E received 0.5 and 1 mg/kg body weight cyanide respectively for 30 days. At day 30, eight animals were sacrificed from Group D and E and the remaining eight (8) rats were subdivided into sub-groups (D1 and E1) and were given 20 and 40 mg/kg of quercetin respectively for twenty-six (26) days. Group F and G were given concurrent administration of cyanide and quercetin at a dose of 0.5 + 20 mg/kg and 1 + 40 mg/kg respectively for 56 days. Body and testicular weight were significantly reduced in cyanide treated groups while quercetin modulates the reduction. Significant down-regulation of CREM gene and reduction in serum level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and zinc in cyanide-treated groups, whereas administration of quercetin concomitantly with cyanide exposure or post-treated significantly reversed the alterations.

The protective effect of aqueous extract ofStevia rebaudianaagainst tartrazine toxicity in male Wistar rat

“…7 As demonstrated in the current study, a decrease in testosterone levels is closely associated with an increase in abnormal sperm. In earlier studies, male rats were given Stevia for 28 days, 46 which resulted in higher testosterone levels and a reduction in endothelium degradation with Leydig cell death.…”

“…Spermatogenesis requires Crem, and round spermatid maturation arrest results in sterility in males lacking Crem. 46 In male germ cells, the Crem gene, which codes for the transcription activator Crem, is broadly distributed. 46,51 It also regulates a significant number of vital postmeiotic genes.…”

“…46 In male germ cells, the Crem gene, which codes for the transcription activator Crem, is broadly distributed. 46,51 It also regulates a significant number of vital postmeiotic genes. Spermiogenesis is a complex post-meiotic process in which round spermatids undergo gross morphological, biochemical, and physiological changes to produce mature spermatozoa.…”

“…Spermiogenesis is a complex post-meiotic process in which round spermatids undergo gross morphological, biochemical, and physiological changes to produce mature spermatozoa. 46,51 Round spermatids expand, grow an acrosomal cap and a tail, and release most of their cytoplasm as residual bodies during spermiogenesis. Their nuclei significantly condense at the same time that protamines take the place of histones.…”

“…The previous work showed that in Crem-defective rats, spermatogenesis is stopped at the spermiogenesis stage. 46 The Crem gene encodes a variety of Crem proteins via alternate exon splicing and translational initiation. 51 The full-length Crem protein, or Crem -τ, serves as a transcriptional activator and contains two glutamine-rich transcriptional activation domains.…”