Oxidative testicular injury: effect of l-leucine on redox, cholinergic and purinergic dysfunctions, and dysregulated metabolic pathways

Ochuko L. Erukainure, Olubunmi Atolani, Priyanka Banerjee, Renata Abel, Ofentse J. Pooe, Oluyomi S. Adeyemi, Robert Preissner, Chika I. Chukwuma, Neil A. Koorbanally, Md Shahidul Islam

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The antioxidant and anti-proinflammatory activities of l-leucine were investigated on oxidative testicular injury, ex vivo. In vitro analysis revealed l-leucine to be a potent scavenger of free radicals, while inhibiting acetylcholinesterase activity. Oxidative injury was induced in testicular tissues using FeSO4. Treatment with l-leucine led to depletion of oxidative-induced elevated levels of NO, MDA, and myeloperoxidase activity, with concomitant elevation of reduced glutathione and non-protein thiol levels, SOD and catalase activities. l-leucine caused a significant (p < 0.05) alteration of oxidative-elevated acetylcholinesterase and chymotrypsin activities, while concomitantly elevating the activities of ATPase, ENTPDase and 5′-nucleotidase. l-leucine conferred a protective effect against oxidative induced DNA damage. Molecular docking revealed molecular interactions with COX-2, IL-1 beta and iNOS. Treatment with l-leucine led to restoration of oxidative depleted ascorbic acid-2-sulfate, with concomitant depletion of the oxidative induced metabolites: D-4-Hydroxy-2-oxoglutarate, l-cystine, adenosine triphosphate, maleylacetoacetic acid, cholesteryl ester, and 6-Hydroxy flavin adenine dinucleotide. Treatment with l-leucine reactivated glycolysis while concomitantly deactivating oxidative-induced citrate cycle and increasing the impact-fold of purine metabolism pathway. l-leucine was predicted not to be an inhibitor of CYP1A2, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4, with a predicted LD50 value of 5000 mg/Kg and toxicity class of 5. Additionally, l-leucine showed little or no in vitro cytotoxicity in mammalian cells. These results suggest the therapeutic potentials of l-leucine on oxidative testicular injury, as evident by its ability to attenuate oxidative stress and proinflammation, while stalling cholinergic dysfunction and modulating nucleotide hyrolysis; as well as modulate oxidative dysregulated metabolites and their pathways.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)359-380
Number of pages22
JournalAmino Acids
Volume53
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2021
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Amino acids
  • Antioxidants
  • Medicinal biochemistry
  • Proinflammation
  • Testicular dysfunction
  • l-leucine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Organic Chemistry

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