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Effect of a Prolonged Dietary Iron Intake on the Gene Expression and Activity of the Testicular Antioxidant Defense System in Rats

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Abstract

Despite the fact that iron represents a crucial element for the catalysis of many metabolic reactions, its accumulation in the cell leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), provoking pathological conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and fertility. Thus, ROS are neutralized by the enzymatic antioxidant system for the purpose of protecting cells against any damage. Iron is a potential risk factor for male fertility. However, the mechanism of action of iron on the testicular antioxidant system at the gene and protein levels is not fully understood. Thus, the purpose of the current research was to ensure a better understanding of how the long-term iron treatment influences both gene expression and enzyme activities of the testicular antioxidant system in rat testis. The data of our study showed that a significant dose-dependent increase occurred in the iron level in rat testis. A reduction occurred in reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, which represent a marker of oxidative stress, along with long-term iron overload. The expression and activity of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6pd), glutathione reductase (Gr), glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), and glutathione S-transferases (Gst) were significantly affected by the presence of iron. The findings of the current research demonstrate that the long-term toxic dietary iron overload influences the gene expression and enzyme activity of the testicular antioxidant defense system, but the actual effect occurs at the protein level. This may modify the sperm function and dysfunction of the male reproductive system.

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Funding

Atatürk University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Commission (ATAUNI-BAP) provided financial support for the present study with project number PRJ2010/277, PRJ2015/97,  and FAD-2018-6352.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Science Faculty, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey

    Enver Fehim Kocpinar, Nurdan Gonul Baltaci, Hamid Ceylan, Seyda Nur Kalin, Orhan Erdogan & Harun Budak

  2. Vocational School, Department of Medical Services and Techniques, Muş Alparslan University, Mus, Turkey

    Enver Fehim Kocpinar

Authors
  1. Enver Fehim Kocpinar
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  2. Nurdan Gonul Baltaci
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  6. Harun Budak
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Contributions

Conceived and designed the experiments: HB (group leader) and OE. Performed the experiments: HB, EFK, NGB, HC, and SNK. Analyzed the data: HB, EFK, NGB, and SNK. Contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools: HB and OE. Wrote the paper: HB, EFK, NGB, and SNK. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Harun Budak.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Ethical approval for the present research was acquired from the Local Animal Care Committee of Atatürk University, Turkey.

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Kocpinar, E.F., Gonul Baltaci, N., Ceylan, H. et al. Effect of a Prolonged Dietary Iron Intake on the Gene Expression and Activity of the Testicular Antioxidant Defense System in Rats. Biol Trace Elem Res 195, 135–141 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-019-01817-0

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