Co‐administration of caffeine and caffeic acid alters some key enzymes linked with reproductive function in male rats

• Published in: Andrologia Vol. 50; no. 2; pp. e12839 - n/a
• Main Authors: Akomolafe, S. F., Akinyemi, A. J., Oboh, G., Oyeleye, S. I., Ajayi, O. B., Omonisi, A. E., Owolabi, F. L., Atoyebi, D. A., Ige, F. O., Atoki, V. A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.03.2018
• Subjects: Acids; Animals; Antioxidants - pharmacology; Antioxidants - therapeutic use; Biomarkers - analysis; Body weight; Caffeic acid; Caffeic Acids - pharmacology; Caffeic Acids - therapeutic use; Caffeine; Caffeine - pharmacology; Caffeine - therapeutic use; Catalase; Catalase - metabolism; Central Nervous System Stimulants - pharmacology; Central Nervous System Stimulants - therapeutic use; Cholesterol; Drug Synergism; Drug Therapy, Combination - methods; Epididymis - drug effects; Epididymis - enzymology; fertility; Fertility - drug effects; Glycogen; hormones; Lipid Peroxidation - drug effects; Male; Micrography; Models, Animal; Nitric oxide; Nitric Oxide - metabolism; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Rodents; steroidogenic enzymes; Superoxide dismutase; Superoxide Dismutase - metabolism; Testes; Testis - drug effects; Testis - enzymology; Testosterone - biosynthesis; caffeine; caffeic acid; steroidogenic enzymes; hormones; fertility
• ISSN: 0303-4569; 1439-0272
• DOI: 10.1111/and.12839

Summary This study assessed the effects of caffeine combined with caffeic acid on some biomarkers of male reproductive function using normal albino Wistar rats. Rats were divided into four groups (n = 6) and treated for seven successive days; group 1 represents the control rats; group 2 rats were treated with 50 mg/kg body weight (BW) of caffeine only; group 3 rats were treated with 50 mg/kg BW of caffeic acid, while the rats in group 4 were cotreated with an equal combination of caffeine and caffeic acid. The results revealed significant increase in reproductive hormone, testicular and epididymal nitric oxide levels of the rats. Moreover, decreased oxidative stress in the testes and epididymides of the treated rats was evidenced by significant increase in total and nonprotein thiol levels, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities. Similarly, decreased testicular cholesterol level with concomitant elevation in testicular steroidogenic enzyme activities, glycogen and zinc levels were observed in the treated rats. No morphological changes were observed as revealed by the photomicrographs from light microscopy in treated rats. Nevertheless, the combination therapy exhibited additive/synergistic effect on these biochemical indices than when they were administered singly. This study suggests the combination therapy of caffeine and caffeic acid at the dose tested for improving male reproductive function.