The effects of the Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 on the oxidative stress of reproductive system in diabetic male rats

Background: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of diabetic complications. Objective: This study evaluated the impact of pre- and post-treatment with Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 on the oxidant and anti-oxidant factors of testis and epididymis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats (10 wk old) weighing 220-230 g. were divided into five groups (n = 6/ each): 1- normal group, 2- normal lactobacillus group, 3- diabetic group, 4- diabetic + lactobacillus before (DLB) group, and 5- diabetic + lactobacillus after (DLA) group. The normal and diabetic groups received daily 1 mL normal saline for 6 wk. Normal lactobacillus group received daily L. acidophilus for 6 wk. Group DLB received daily L. acidophilus for 2 wk before diabetes and for 4 wk after diabetes. Group DLA received daily 1 mL normal saline for 2 wk before diabetes and L. acidophilus for 4 wk after diabetes. The dose of L. acidophilus was 1 × 109 CFU/mL. Results: The administration of L. acidophilus worsened blood glucose level and reduced the levels of Malondialdehyde (p ≤ 0.0001) and Hydrogen peroxide (p ≤ 0.0001) and, Catalase and Glutathione peroxidase activity increased in the testis. In epididymis, Glutathione peroxidase and Catalase (p = 0.013) activity increased and Hydrogen peroxide concentration reduced, while Malondialdehyde concentration did not show any changes compared to the diabetic rats. Also, there was no significant difference between DLB and DLA groups, in these markers. Conclusion: Data obtained suggests that L. acidophilus has anti-oxidant effects on the testis and sometime in the epididymis in diabetic rats.