Oxidative Stress and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Are Involved in the Protective Effect of Alpha Lipoic Acid Against Heat Damage in Chicken Testes

Abstract

Heat stress (HS) causes testicular injury, resulting in decreased fertility. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a well-known antioxidant. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of ALA on HS-induced testicular damage in chickens. Histological changes; biomarkers of oxidative stress, including glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA); markers of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, including glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous protein (CHOP); apoptosis-related modulators, including Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase 3, in testicular tissue and serum testosterone levels were evaluated in chickens under heat stress. Heat stress induces spermatogenic cell abnormalities in chicken testes. Compared to the HS group, the histomorphological abnormalities in testicular tissue were visibly ameliorated, with significant increases in the enzyme activities of GPx, SOD, and CAT, increased serum testosterone concentration, and decreased MDA levels in the ALA + HS group. Consistent with these results, compared with the HS group, the protein levels of GRP78, CHOP, caspase 3, and Bax were significantly decreased, whereas Bcl-2, StAR, and 3β-HSD protein levels were increased in the ALA + HS group. Collectively, these findings suggest that ALA significantly ameliorates the heat-induced histomorphological abnormalities in the testes and decreased testosterone production by potentiating the activities of anti-oxidative enzymes (GPx, SOD, and CAT), inhibiting ER stress-related apoptotic pathways (Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase 3), and increasing steroidogenic gene (StAR and 3β-HSD) expression in chickens.

Effects of Scopoletin Supplementation and Stocking Density on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Activity, and Meat Quality of Korean Native Broiler Chickens

“…The increased activities of catalase and SOD in the serum of broiler chickens fed SK diets show its potential to scavenge free radicals during the stressful condition of high SD. It has been reported that the stressful condition decreases the SOD and catalase production, which in turn increases MDA production [ 26 ]. There is a positive correlation between high MDA concentrations and lipid peroxidation [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Muscle Antioxidant Activity and Meat Quality Are Altered by Supplementation of Astaxanthin in Broilers Exposed to High Temperature

“…The activities of catalase and SOD were decreased in the plasma of broiler chicks fed AST0, which showed that the potential of scavenging free radicals was impaired by heat stress without astaxanthin supplementation. It has been known that the production of SOD and catalase compromises during heat stress, which results in increasing MDA and oxidative stress [ 31 ]. High MDA levels have been known as an indicator of lipid peroxidation [ 32 ].…”

Evaluation of Dissolution Profiles of a Newly Developed Solid Oral Immediate-Release Formula Containing Alpha-Lipoic Acid

“…ALA functions in the body, much like a B-vitamin. It is an essential cofactor in the mitochondrial aerobic metabolism and multienzyme complexes, being implied in the glucose conversion and energy production [8] and a potent antioxidant [9][10][11]. ALA displaying an excellent scavenging activity against the hydroxyl radical (HO•), with anti-inflammatory activity-by decreasing the tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1 beta (IL-1β), and IL-6 [12,13], performing an anti-aging activity [14] metal-chelating capacities and acting on the second messenger nuclear factor κB without any side effects [15]; almost meets all standards of a perfect anti-aging substance [15].…”