The protective effect of low-dose L-carnitine on the reproductive function of male Wistar rats during acute exposure to simulated high-altitude environment
10.13406/j.cnki.cyxb.003798
- VernacularTitle:小剂量左卡尼汀对模拟高原环境急性暴露期内雄性Wistar大鼠生殖功能的保护作用
- Author:
Jiahao LI
1
;
Bin ZHANG
;
Xingming JIANG
;
Zihan BU
;
Mian WANG
;
Forong LI
;
Dehui CHANG
Author Information
1. 中国人民解放军联勤保障部队第九四〇医院泌尿外科,兰州 730050
- Keywords:
plateau hypoxia;
L-carnitine;
male;
reproduction
- From:
Journal of Chongqing Medical University
2025;50(4):437-443
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the interventional and protective effect of low-dose L-carnitine(LC)against reproductive system damage in male Wistar rats during acute exposure to simulated high-altitude environment.Methods:A total of 24 specific pathogen-free male Wistar rats,aged 12 weeks,were randomly divided into control group,high-altitude model group,and LC intervention group[intraperitoneal injection of LC at a dose of 50 mg/(kg·d)],with 8 rats in each group.The rats in the control group were fed under normal conditions(at an altitude of approximately 1 500 m),those in the high-altitude model group,and those in the LC intervention group were fed in a hypobaric oxygen chamber(at a simulated alti-tude of 6 000 m).The rats were sacrificed after 3 days.The testis was collected to calculate testicular index;the semen was collected from the epididymis,and the Weili sperm quality analysis system was used to assess sperm quality;blood samples were collected from the abdominal aorta,and ELISA kits were used to measure the serum levels of testosterone(T),luteinizing hormone(LH),and follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH);testicular tissue samples were collected,and biochemical kits were used to measure the activity of reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA),and superoxide dismutase(SOD);testicular tissue was collected to prepare HE and electron microscopy sections,and a light microscope and a transmission electron microscope were used for observation.Results:Com-pared with the blank control group,the high-altitude model group had significant increases in the levels of T,LH,and FSH(P<0.01),testicular tissue damage under the light microscope,and changes in the morphology of spermatogenic cells,including mitochondrial al-terations,membrane edema,loss of cristae,swelling of the matrix,and local dissolution,as well as significant increases in the levels of ROS and MDA(P<0.01)and a significant reduction in SOD activity(P<0.01).Compared with the high-altitude model group,the LC intervention group had a significant increase in the level of T(P<0.01),significant reductions in the levels of FSH and LH(P<0.01),and significant improvements in the pathological changes of testicular tissue,with no marked mitochondrial injury,and there were sig-nificant reductions in the levels of ROS and MDA(P<0.01)and a significant increase in SOD activity(P<0.01).There was no signifi-cant difference in testicular index between groups(P>0.05).The high-altitude model group had a significantly lower sperm count than the blank control group(P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in sperm count between the LC intervention group and the blank control group(P>0.05);there was no significant difference in sperm motility between groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:Low-dose LC can improve reproductive system damage in rats during acute exposure to simulated high-altitude environment,possibly by alleviat-ing oxidative stress response.
