Drug Res (Stuttg) 2021; 71(09): 512-519
DOI: 10.1055/a-1553-3265
Original Article

Astaxanthin Induces the Expression of CatSper1 Gene and Protects Sperms in Toxicity Induced by Cadmium in Mice

Ensieh Saberi
1   Department of Biology, Faculty of science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Mazandaran, Iran
,
1   Department of Biology, Faculty of science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Mazandaran, Iran
,
Omid Jazayeri
2   Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Mazandaran, Iran
,
Nazanin Fathi
1   Department of Biology, Faculty of science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Mazandaran, Iran
,
Akbar Hajizadeh Moghadam
1   Department of Biology, Faculty of science, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Mazandaran, Iran
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) as a heavy metal damages testis and decreases fertility, however, antioxidants can improve sperm parameters and decrease male infertility. In this study we investigated the effect of astaxanthin (AST) on sperm parameters, expression levels of CatSper1 and CatSper2 genes in presence of Cd in mice. Thirty adults’ mice were divided into 4 groups, sham group received olive oil and saline (olive oil is the solvent of AST and saline is the solvent of Cd), Cd group received 1 mg/kg Cdcl2, a group received 10 mg/kg AST and 1 mg/kg Cdcl2 and a group received 10 mg/kg AST. The treatments were done intraperitoneally for 14 days. After 14 days sperm parameters were analyzed. Malondialdehyde level, catalase enzyme activity, the alteration of CatSper1 and CatSper2 genes expression were measured in testis. Results showed that Sperm count, viability, CatSper1 gene expression and catalase activity significantly decreased by Cd compared to sham group. Cd significantly increased sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), abnormal sperm morphology and malondialdehyd level compared to sham group. AST significantly increased sperm count, viability and CatSper1 gene expression and decreased SDF and abnormal sperm in comparison with Cd group. AST protected testis and decreased oxidative stress induced by Cd. Our findings indicated that AST could protect sperm DNA, enhanced CatSper1 gene expression and sperm quality in presence of Cd. No significant differences were found in CatSper2 expression among treatments. Therefore, AST as a strong antioxidant can help to protect the potential of fertility against Cd toxicity.



Publication History

Received: 09 April 2021
Received: 11 July 2021

Accepted: 12 July 2021

Article published online:
18 August 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 
  • References

  • 1 Wang HF, Chang M, Peng TT. Exposure to cadmium impairs sperm functions by reducing Catsper in mice. Cell Physios Biochem 2017; 42: 44-54
  • 2 Atig F, Kerkeni A, Saad A. et al Effects of reduced seminal enzymatic antioxidants on sperm DNA fragmentation and semen quality of Tunisian infertile men. J Assist Reprod Genet 2017; 34: 373-381
  • 3 Kaur S, Sharma S. Evaluation of toxic effect of cadmium on sperm count, sperm motility and sperm abnormality in albino mice. IJAR 2015; 3: 335-343
  • 4 Monsefi M, Alaee S, Moradshahi A. et al Cadmium-induced infertility in male mice Environ Toxicol: An International Journal 2010; 25: 94-102
  • 5 Wirth JJ, Mijal RS. Adverse effects of low-level heavy metal exposure on male reproductive function. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2010; 56: 147-167
  • 6 Yari A, Sarveazad A, Asadi E. et al Efficacy of Crocus sativus L. on reduction of cadmium-induced toxicity on spermatogenesis in adult rats. Andrologia 2016; 48: 1244-1252
  • 7 Niknafs B, Salehnia M, Kamkar M. Induction and determination of apoptotic and necrotic cell death by cadmium chloride in testis tissue of mouse. J Reprod Infertil 2015; 16: 24
  • 8 Adamkovicova M, Toman R, Martiniakova M. et al “Sperm motility and morphology changes in rats exposed to cadmium and diazinon”. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2016; 14: 42
  • 9 Mendiola J, Moreno JM, Roca M. et al Relationships between heavy metal concentrations in three different body fluids and male reproductive parameters: A pilot study Environ Health 2011; 106
  • 10 Zhai Q, Narbad A, Chen W. Dietary strategies for the treatment of cadmium and lead toxicity. Nutrients 2015; 7: 552-571
  • 11 Mojica-Villegas MA, Izquierdo-Vega JA, Chamorro-Cevallos G. et al Protective effect of resveratrol on biomarkers of oxidative stress induced by iron/ascorbate in mouse spermatozoa. Nutrients 2014; 6: 489-503
  • 12 Ghosh K, Indra N. Cadmium treatment induces echinocytosis, DNA damage, inflammation, and apoptosis in cardiac tissue of albino Wistar rats. Environ toxicol pharmacol 2018; 59: 43-52
  • 13 Varoni MV, Gadau SD, Pasciu V. et al Investigation of the effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides against cadmium induced damage in testis. Exp mol pathol 2017; 103: 26-32
  • 14 Ulusu Y, Öztürk L, Elmastaş M. Antioxidant capacity and cadmium accumulation in parsley seedlings exposed to cadmium stress. Russ J plant Physiol 2017; 64: 883-888
  • 15 Kampa M, Castanas E. Human health effects of air pollution. Environ pollut 2008; 151: 362-367
  • 16 Abd-El-Moneim OM, El-Kader HA, El-Rahim AHA. et al Modulatory role of Saccharomyces cerevisiae against cadmium-induced genotoxicity in mice. JASMR 2017; 12: 1-27
  • 17 Nguyen TMD, Duittoz A, Praud C. et al Calcium channels in chicken sperm regulate motility and the acrosome reaction. FEBS 2016; 283: 1902-1920
  • 18 Nili-Ahmadabadi A, Ali-Heidar F, Ranjbar A. et al Protective effect of amlodipine on diazinon-induced changes on oxidative/antioxidant balance in rat hippocampus. Res pharm sci 2018; 13: 368-378
  • 19 Navarro B, Kirichok Y, Chung JJ. et al Ion channels that control fertility in mammalian spermatozoa. Int J Dev Biol 2008; 52: 607
  • 20 Mohammadi S, Movahedin M, Mowla SJ. Up-regulation of CatSper genes family by selenium. Reprod biol endocrinol 2009; 7: 126
  • 21 Mohammadi S, Gholamin M, Mansouri M. et al Effect of cadmium and nickel on expression of CatSper 1 and 2 genes in mice. Toxin Rev 2018; 37: 216-222
  • 22 Lishko PV, Mannowetz N. CatSper: A unique calcium channel of the sperm flagellum. Curr Opin Physiol 2018 2: 109-113
  • 23 Singh AP, Rajender S. CatSper channel, sperm function and male fertility. Reprod BioMed 2015; 30: 28-38
  • 24 Mohammadi S, Jalali M, Nikravesh MR. et al Effects of Vitamin-E treatment on CatSper genes expression and sperm quality in the testis of the aging mouse. Iran J Reprod Med 2013; 11: 989-998
  • 25 Mohammadi S, Jalali M, Nikravesh MR. et al Golamian, et al. Combination of vitamin E with L-carnitine increase CatSper Genes expression in the aging mouse testis. Eur J Exp Biol 2013; 3: 77-83
  • 26 Wang JY, Lee YJ, Chou MC. et al Astaxanthin protects steroidogenesis from hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress in mouse Leydig cells. Marine drugs 2015; 13: 1375-1388
  • 27 Komatsu T, Sasaki S, Manabe Y. et al Preventive effect of dietary astaxanthin on UVA-induced skin photoaging in hairless mice. PloS one 2017; 12: 171-178
  • 28 Tripathi DN, Jena GB. Astaxanthin inhibits cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of cyclophosphamide in mice germ cells. Toxicology 2008; 248: 96-103
  • 29 Agarwal A, Sekhon LH. The role of antioxidant therapy in the treatment of male infertility. Hum Fertil 2010; 13: 217-225
  • 30 World health organization. WHO Laboratory Manual for the Examination and Processing of Human Semen. 5 th Edition World health organization; 2010: 1-271
  • 31 Zhang L, Li Q, Zheng G. et al Protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides against cadmium-induced testicular toxicity in male mice. Food funct 2017; 8: 2322-2330
  • 32 Genet S, Kale RK, Baquer NZ. Alterations in antioxidant enzymes and oxidative damage in experimental diabetic rat tissues: effect of vanadate and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum). Mol cell biochem 2002; 236: 12
  • 33 Esterbauer H, Cheeseman KH. Determination of aldehydic lipid peroxidation products: malonaldehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal. Methods enzymol 1990; 186: 407-421
  • 34 Jamalan M, Ghaffari MA, Hoseinzadeh P. et al Human sperm quality and metal toxicants: protective effects of some flavonoids on male reproductive function. Int J fertil steril 2016; 10: 215
  • 35 Adewoyin M, Ibrahim M, Roszaman R. et al Male infertility: the effect of natural antioxidants and phytocompounds on seminal oxidative stress. Diseases 2017; 51: 9
  • 36 Adaramoye O. Akanni. Protective effects of Artocarpus altilis (Moraceae) on cadmium-induced changes in sperm characteristics and testicular oxidative damage in rats. Andrologia 2015; 48: 152-163
  • 37 Oliveira H, Spanò M, Santos C. et al Adverse effects of cadmium exposure on mouse sperm. Reprod Toxicol 2009; 28: 550-555
  • 38 Shagirtha K, Pari L. Hesperetin, a citrus flavonone, protects potentially cadmium induced oxidative testicular dysfunction in rats. Ecotox Environ Safe 2011; 747: 2105-2111
  • 39 Bu T, Mi Y, Zeng W. et al Protective Effect of Quercetin on Cadmium-Induced Oxidative Toxicity on Germ Cells in Male Mice. Anat Rec 2011; 294: 520-526
  • 40 Ognjanović BI, Marković SD, Ethorđević NZ. et al Cadmium-induced lipid peroxidation and changes in antioxidant defense system in the rat testes: Protective role of coenzyme Q 10 and Vitamin E. Reprod Toxicol 2010; 29: 191-197
  • 41 Moradkhani S, Rezaei-Dehghanzadeh T, Nili-Ahmadabadi A. Rosa persica hydroalcoholic extract improves cadmium-hepatotoxicity by modulating oxidative damage and tumor necrosis factor-alpha status. Environ Sci Pollut Res 2020; 1
  • 42 Omidifar N, Nili-Ahmadabadi A, Gholami A. et al Biochemical and histological evidence on the protective effects of allium hirtifolium boiss (Persian Shallot) as an herbal supplement in Cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine 2020; 17: 1-8
  • 43 Cho CL, Esteves SC, Agarwal A. Novel insights into the pathophysiology of varicocele and its association with reactive oxygen species and sperm DNA fragmentation. Asian J Androl 2016; 18.2: 186
  • 44 Alharathi W, Hamza RZ, Elmahdi MM. et al Selenium and L-Carnitine Ameliorate Reproductive Toxicity induced by Cadmium in Male Mice. Biol trace Elem Res 2019; 197: 619-627
  • 45 Mao H, Tan FQ, Wang DH. et al Expression and function analysis of metallothionein in the testis of stone crab Charybdis japonica exposed to cadmium. Aqua toxicol 2012; 15: 11-21
  • 46 Alkhedaide A, Alshehri ZS, Sabry A. et al “Protective effect of grape seed extract against cadmium-induced testicular dysfunction”. Mol Med Rep 2016; 13: 3101-3109
  • 47 Al-Bulish MSM, Xue C, Waly MI. et al The Defensive Role of Antioxidants Astaxanthin against Oxidative Damage in Diabetic Rats Injected with Streptozotocin. J Food Nutr Res 2017; 5 3: 191-196