Effect of Lactobacillus species on apoptosis-related genes BCL2, BAX, and caspase 3 in the testes of gamma-irradiated rats

OBJECTIVE:

Ionizing radiation has various applications, including uses in medicine, industry, agriculture, and research. However, ionizing radiation is accompanied by side effects in normal radiosensitive tissues. Probiotics as natural radioprotective agents can protect normal tissues from ionizing radiation. In this regard, this study aimed to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus species on apoptosis-related genes BCL2, BAX, and caspase 3 (CASP3) in the testes of gamma-irradiated rats.

METHODS:

A total of 30 male Wistar rats were involved in this study. The animals received the whole- body radiation with the dose rate of 2 Gy gamma-ray and were orally gavaged with 0.2 mL of 1×10¹⁰ Lactobacillus species in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 4 weeks. Then, the relative gene expression levels of BCL2, BAX, and CASP3 in the testis were assessed by using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

RESULTS:

Compared with the control group, radiation significantly downregulated the BCL2 and upregulated the BAX and CASP3 genes (p<0.0001). However, Lactobacillus species significantly reversed these effects.

CONCLUSION:

All in all, according to our results, employing Lactobacilli probiotics as a natural radioprotector may protect radiosensitive tissue from damage.

KEYWORDS:
Gamma radiation; Apoptosis; Probiotics; Lactobacillus species