27 October 2008
Curcumin protects Leydig cells of mice from damage induced by chronic alcohol administration
Francesco GiannessiACDEFG, Maria Anita GiambellucaBCDF, Lucia GrassoBCD, Maria Concetta ScavuzzoBCDF, Riccardo RuffoliACDEFGMed Sci Monit 2008; 14(11): BR237-242 :: ID: 869437
Abstract
Background
It is known that alcohol consumption inhibits testosterone production and causes testicular atrophy. Curcumin is a phytochemical characterized by anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It was also observed that curcumin protects the liver, pancreas, and nervous system from the toxic effects of alcohol consumption. The goal of this study was to determine if curcumin protects the Leydig cells of mice from chronic alcohol administration.
Material and Method
Fifteen mice were treated daily for four weeks with a 3.0 g/kg of a 25% solution of alcohol. Fifteen mice received curcumin (80 mg/kg) added to the same alcohol solution. Fifteen mice were treated with a solution of maltose dextrins isocaloric to ethanol. Fifteen untreated mice were used as controls.
Results
In the alcohol-fed mice, numerous Leydig cells showed cytoplasmic rarefaction and increased diameter of the mitochondria. Several mitochondria had diameters three or more times larger than that of mitochondria from control mice. Numerous necrotic Leydig cells were observed. Testosterone plasma levels significantly decreased in comparison with control mice. In alcohol plus curcumin-treated mice the number of necrotic Leydig cells was reduced compared with alcohol-fed mice; the diameters of the mitochondria were significantly decreased. Testosterone plasma levels were not significantly different from those of the controls.
Conclusions
This study demonstrates that curcumin exerts efficacious protection against damages caused in the Leydig cells of mice by chronic alcohol ingestion and that the preservation of mitochondrial structure and size in Leydig cells is a specific effect of curcumin.
Keywords: Testosterone - blood, Time Factors, Microscopy, Electron, Lipid Metabolism, Leydig Cells - ultrastructure, Curcumin - pharmacology, Alcohols - toxicity
Editorial
01 May 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: First Regulatory Approval for Adoptive Cell Therapy with Autologous Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) – Lifileucel (Amtagvi)DOI: 10.12659/MSM.944927
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944927
In Press
11 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Enhancement of Frozen-Thawed Human Sperm Quality with Zinc as a Cryoprotective AdditiveMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942946
12 Mar 2024 : Database Analysis
Risk Factors of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a Population-Based Study: Results from SHIP-TREND-1 (St...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943140
12 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Preoperative Blood Transfusion Requirements for Hemorrhoidal Severe Anemia: A Retrospective Study of 128 Pa...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943126
12 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) and 3 (TIMP-3) as New Markers of Acute Kidney Injury Afte...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943500
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952