Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 7, 2026

Intraductal Injection of LPS as a Mouse Model of Mastitis: Signaling Visualized via an NF-κB Reporter Transgenic
08:51

Intraductal Injection of LPS as a Mouse Model of Mastitis: Signaling Visualized via an NF-κB Reporter Transgenic

Published on: September 4, 2012

19.3K

1-DNJ Alleviates Obesity-Induced Testicular Inflammation in Mice Model by Inhibiting IKKβ/ NF-kB Pathway

Wenli Mai1, Yi Shang2, Yibin Wang3

  • 1Institute of Basic Medicine and Forensic Medicine, North Sichuan Medical College, Sichuan, 637000, China.

Reproductive Sciences (Thousand Oaks, Calif.)
|March 7, 2024
PubMed

Insights

1-Deoxynojirimycin (1-DNJ) from mulberry leaves reduces obesity-induced inflammation and improves male fertility in mice. This natural compound alleviates testicular damage and enhances sperm health by inhibiting the IKKβ/NF-kB pathway.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Endocrinology
  • Inflammation Research

Background:

  • Obesity is linked to chronic inflammation, negatively impacting male reproductive health and fertility.
  • The role of 1-Deoxynojirimycin (1-DNJ), an alkaloid from mulberry leaves, in addressing obesity-related male infertility is not well understood.
  • Investigating 1-DNJ's potential to counteract obesity-induced inflammation affecting male fertility is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the mechanism by which 1-DNJ mitigates fertility impairment in male mice with obesity-induced inflammation.
  • To assess the effects of 1-DNJ on metabolic profiles, reproductive capacity, and testicular health in obese mice.
  • To determine if 1-DNJ can inhibit the IKKβ/NF-kB signaling pathway and reduce inflammation.

Main Methods:

  • Male mice were induced into obesity using a high-fat diet (HFD) and treated with 1-DNJ or metformin for 8 weeks.
  • Metabolic profiles, sperm parameters (viability, motility, count), and testicular histology were evaluated.
  • Inflammatory markers (TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6) and the IKKβ/NF-kB pathway activation were assessed via biochemical assays and western blotting.

Main Results:

  • HFD-induced obesity led to lipid metabolism disorders, decreased testosterone, impaired sperm motility, and elevated inflammatory markers.
  • 1-DNJ treatment improved testosterone levels, ameliorated testicular damage, and enhanced sperm viability in obese mice.
  • 1-DNJ effectively inhibited the IKKβ/NF-kB signaling pathway, significantly reducing inflammation in obese male mice.

Conclusions:

  • 1-Deoxynojirimycin (1-DNJ) demonstrates potential in improving male fertility by reducing obesity and associated inflammation.
  • 1-DNJ's anti-inflammatory action, mediated through the inhibition of the IKKβ/NF-kB pathway, is key to its beneficial effects.
  • These findings suggest 1-DNJ as a promising therapeutic agent for male infertility linked to obesity and inflammation.
Keywords:
1-DNJInflammatory factorsNF-kBObesityReproductive ability

More Related Videos

An Adipocyte Cell Culture Model to Study the Impact of Protein and Micro-RNA Modulation on Adipocyte Function09:20

An Adipocyte Cell Culture Model to Study the Impact of Protein and Micro-RNA Modulation on Adipocyte Function

Published on: May 4, 2021

3.6K
Author Spotlight: Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking to Decipher the Action of Jiawei Shengjiang San Against Diabetic Kidney Disease08:15

Author Spotlight: Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking to Decipher the Action of Jiawei Shengjiang San Against Diabetic Kidney Disease

Published on: May 10, 2024

568

Related Concept Videos

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway02:26

NF-κB-dependent Signaling Pathway

The transcription factor NF-κB was discovered in 1986 in the lab of Nobel laureate Professor David Baltimore, for its interaction with the immunoglobulin light chain enhancer in B-cells. After more than three decades of study, it is now evident that NF-κB regulates the expression of over 100 genes. Most of these genes play an essential role in the innate and adaptive immune responses as well as the inflammatory responses of animals.
NF-κB-dependent Signaling Mechanism
The heterodimer of NF-κB...
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...