Enhanced testicular antioxidant system by ascorbic acid in alloxan diabetic rats

The diabetic subject is at significantly increased risk of developing testi cular changes. Its etiology may involve oxidative damage by free radicals a nd protection against such damage can be offered by antioxidant supplementa tion. Alloxan elicited significant inhibition of, antioxidants including su peroxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione reductase activities and decre ased glutathione content in testis. These effects were accompanied by signi ficant elevation of testicular lipid peroxidation, decreased plasma testost erone level and a drop in copper and zinc concentrations in testis. The adm inistration of ascorbic acid after alloxan treatment interfered and prevent ed alloxan action. Ascorbic acid blunted the increased testicular lipid per oxidation and the decreased plasma testosterone level probably by protectin g antioxidants and the loss of copper and zinc from testes. The data sugges ted that ascorbic acid has a protective effect on alloxan-induced damage by maintaining the activity of cellular antioxidants. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scien ce Inc. All rights reserved.