College of Horticulture, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
China Engineering Laboratory of Genetic Improvement of Horticultural Crops of Shandong Province, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China.
Nutrients. 2023 Jul 25;15(15):3288. doi: 10.3390/nu15153288.
In this research, we analyzed the protective effects of red-fleshed apple flavonoid extracts (RAFEs) on male reproductive injury induced by busulfan, using both in vitro and in vivo models. In the cell-based experiments, RAFEs significantly improved cell viability and proliferation rates compared to control groups. Similarly, in vivo testing with male mice showed that RAFEs and whole apple flavonoid extracts (WAFEs) enhanced various biochemical and liver function-related indicators in the testes; however, RAFEs demonstrated superior efficacy in mitigating testicular damage. Through immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting, we found that RAFEs notably enhanced the expression of spermatogenesis-related genes. Moreover, RAFEs increased the expression of oxidative stress- and apoptosis-related genes, thereby effectively reducing oxidative damage in the testes. These findings highlight the potential of RAFEs as natural agents for the prevention and treatment of male reproductive injury, paving the way for future research and potential therapeutic applications.
在这项研究中，我们使用体外和体内模型分析了红肉苹果类黄酮提取物（RAFE）对巯基嘌呤诱导的雄性生殖损伤的保护作用。在基于细胞的实验中，与对照组相比，RAFE 显著提高了细胞活力和增殖率。同样，体内雄性小鼠试验表明，RAFE 和全苹果类黄酮提取物（WAFE）增强了睾丸中各种生化和肝功能相关指标；然而，RAFE 在减轻睾丸损伤方面表现出更好的效果。通过免疫组织化学、qRT-PCR 和 Western blot，我们发现 RAFE 显著增强了与精子发生相关的基因表达。此外，RAFE 增加了氧化应激和细胞凋亡相关基因的表达，从而有效减少了睾丸的氧化损伤。这些发现强调了 RAFE 作为预防和治疗雄性生殖损伤的天然药物的潜力，为未来的研究和潜在的治疗应用铺平了道路。
