S-allyl Cysteine Enhances Testosterone Production in Mice and Mouse Testis-Derived I-10 Cells

Abstract

Hypogonadism, associated with low levels of testosterone synthesis, has been implicated in several diseases. Recently, the quest for natural alternatives to prevent and treat hypogonadism has gained increasing research interest. To this end, the present study explored the effect of S-allyl cysteine (SAC), a characteristic organosulfur compound in aged-garlic extract, on testosterone production. SAC was administered at 50 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally into 7-week-old BALB/c male mice in a single-dose experiment. Plasma levels of testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) and testis levels of proteins involved in steroidogenesis were measured by enzymatic immunoassay and Western blot, respectively. In addition, mouse testis-derived I-10 cells were also used to investigate the effect of SAC on steroidogenesis. In the animal experiment, SAC significantly elevated testosterone levels in both the plasma and the testis without changing the LH level in plasma and increased phosphorylated protein kinase A (p-PKA) levels. Similar results were also observed in I-10 cells. The findings demonstrating the increasing effect of SAC on p-PKA and mRNA levels of Cyp11a suggest that SAC increases the testosterone level by activating the PKA pathway and could be a potential target for hypogonadism therapeutics.

Effect of Chronic Moderate Caloric Restriction on the Reproductive Function in Aged Male Wistar Rats

“…Based in our understanding in the field, the main contribution of these findings consists in demonstrating that chronic and moderate CR during aging prolongs the reproductive function in aged rats. This fact is support by several studies that have demonstrated the existence of a direct correlation between T concentrations and MSB such that a deficit of T affects MSB even in young adult animals [ 30 , 32 , 44 , 45 ]. However, correct performance of MSB requires the synergic activity of T and E 2 because an increase continued may generate feminization of the brain and increase latencies during MSB tests [ 46 ].…”

Efecto de la restricción calórica sobre la conducta sexual masculina, la calidad espermática y las hormonas metabólicas en la rata Wistar longeva

“…Based in our understanding in the field, the main contribution of these findings consists in demonstrating that chronic and moderate CR during aging prolongs the reproductive function in aged rats. This fact is support by several studies that have demonstrated the existence of a direct correlation between T concentrations and MSB such that a deficit of T affects MSB even in young adult animals [30,32,44,45]. However, correct performance of MSB requires the synergic activity of T and E2 because an increase continued may generate feminization of the brain and increase latencies during MSB tests [46].…”

“…Diversos trabajos han demostrado la existencia de una correlación directa entre las concentraciones de T y la CSM, cuando hay un déficit de T la CSM se ve afectada, incluso cuando los animales son adultos jóvenes (Chen et al, 2005;Govic et al, 2008;Rana et al, 2021). Sin embargo, es necesaria la actividad sinérgica de la T y del E2 para el correcto despliegue de la CSM, pues un aumento de E2 resulta en una posible feminización del cerebro y aumenta las latencias en las pruebas de CSM .…”

Evaluation of Expression of Cytochrome P450 Aromatase and Inflammatory, Oxidative, and Apoptotic Markers in Testicular Tissue of Obese Rats (Pre)Treated with Garlic Powder

“…The difference in our results may be explained by the use of different administration doses along with different terms of exposure to garlic and different factors involved in the pathogenesis of the disease [ 97 , 98 ]. Moreover, Rana et al [ 99 ] also showed that “a key organosulfur compound in aged-garlic extract, S-allyl cysteine (SAC), enhances the testosterone level through activating the PKA pathway and can be a probable target for hypogonadism therapeutics” [ 99 ]. Garlic contains high amounts of zinc and selenium, and these substances along with diallyl sulfide have a regulatory role in testicular activities, especially the production of steroidogenic enzymes [ 100 ].…”