The ameliorative effects of glutathione on alcohol-induced male testicular injury using sprague-dawley rats as experimental models

Abstract

Chronic alcohol consumption is known to induce oxidative stress and lead to significant testicular dysfunction, manifesting as impaired spermatogenesis and altered hormone levels. This study aimed to evaluate whether glutathione, which is a potent antioxidant, could mitigate the detrimental effects of alcohol on testicular tissue and function. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups:
control group, low dose group, medium and high dose receiving varying doses of alcohol following glutathione administration. Serum testosterone levels, seminal parameters, and histopathological evaluations of testicular tissue were conducted to assess the extent of injury and the protective effects of glutathione. The results demonstrate a dose-dependent pattern of disruption. In the testes, levels of
MDA, an indicator of oxidative stress, initially decreased in the low-dose group compared to the control group, but increased with medium and high alcohol doses, indicating a shift from decreased to increased oxidative stress. Antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD and CAT) in the testes initially increased in response to lower alcohol doses but decreased at the highest dose. Similar patterns were
observed in the epididymis, with MDA levels decreasing at low doses but increasing at medium and high doses, and antioxidant enzyme activity following a similar trend. Also, sperm count and sperm morphology decreased dose-dependently. Hormonal analysis revealed a dose-dependent decrease in FSH, LH, and testosterone levels. These findings indicate that alcohol induces oxidative stress,
disrupts antioxidant defense mechanisms, and impairs male reproductive function in a dose dependent manner.