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Dietary Alpha‐Tocopherol Affects Differential Gene Expression in Rat Testes
Author(s) -
Rota Cristina,
Barella Luca,
Minihane AnneMarie,
Stöcklin Elisabeth,
Rimbach Gerald
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
iubmb life
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.132
H-Index - 113
eISSN - 1521-6551
pISSN - 1521-6543
DOI - 10.1080/15216540410001724133
Subject(s) - alpha tocopherol , alpha (finance) , gene , gene expression , tocopherol , biology , vitamin e , genetics , endocrinology , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , antioxidant , biochemistry , medicine , construct validity , nursing , patient satisfaction
Gene‐chip technology was employed to study the effect of dietary vitamin E (VE) on gene expression in rat testes. Male albino rats were fed with either a diet deficient in VE or a standard diet containing VE. Differential gene expression was monitored at five individual time‐points over a period of 14 months with all animals individually profiled. Low VE intake resulted in the consistent up‐regulation of 7‐dehydrocholesterol reductase and GATA binding protein 4, both involved in testosterone synthesis. Cyclin D3, important in cell cycle progression and Wilms tumor 1, related to cancer development, were also up‐regulated in the vitamin E deficient animals. This study demonstrates that low dietary VE intake has long‐term effects on gene expression in the testes. Our data provides insights into the possible molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of vitamin E on the male reproductive organ.IUBMB Life, 56: 277‐280, 2004