Protective effect of Alpha-Linolenic acid on Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Orchitis in mice

Ok F., Kaplan H. M., Kizilgok B., Demir E.

ANDROLOGIA, vol.52, no.9, 2020 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 52 Issue: 9
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/and.13667
  • Journal Name: ANDROLOGIA
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, Gender Studies Database, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Keywords: alpha-linolenic acid, inflammation, LPS, orchitis, FATTY-ACIDS, STRESS, INFLAMMATION, SYNTHASES, A(2)
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Previous studies have demonstrated that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have anti-inflammatory effects. One specific PUFA, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), shows both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In the testes, inflammatory mediators are known to increase when orchitis is induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This study aimed to determine whether the anti-inflammatory properties of ALA could have a protective effect against LPS-induced orchitis in mice. The mice were divided into untreated control, orchitis and ALA-treated orchitis groups. Orchitis was induced by intraperitoneal injection of LPS. The ALA-treated group was administered ALA by gavage three days before intraperitoneal LPS injection. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) enzymes and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappa B) in the testes, as well as serum interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), were analysed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests. LPS administration increased the expression of several inflammatory mediators, including IL-6, TNF-alpha and NF-kappa B, as well as the COX-2, cPLA2 and iNOS enzymes. ALA administration significantly prevented the LPS-induced increases in these inflammatory mediators and enzymes (p < .05). The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of ALA may make it a useful candidate for the treatment of orchitis caused by bacterial LPS.