Abstract
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.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antioxidants / pharmacology
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Carrier Proteins / metabolism
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Cell Cycle Proteins
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Cyclin D3
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Cyclins / metabolism
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DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
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GATA4 Transcription Factor
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Gene Expression / drug effects*
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Male
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Nuclear Proteins / metabolism
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Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
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Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors / metabolism
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RNA Splicing Factors
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RNA, Messenger / metabolism
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Rats
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Testis / drug effects
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Testis / enzymology
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Testis / metabolism*
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Time Factors
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Transcription Factors / metabolism
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Up-Regulation
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alpha-Tocopherol / administration & dosage
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alpha-Tocopherol / pharmacology*
Substances
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Antioxidants
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CCND3 protein, human
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Carrier Proteins
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Ccnd3 protein, rat
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Cell Cycle Proteins
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Cyclin D3
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Cyclins
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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GATA4 Transcription Factor
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Nuclear Proteins
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RNA Splicing Factors
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RNA, Messenger
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Transcription Factors
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WTAP protein, human
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Oxidoreductases Acting on CH-CH Group Donors
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7-dehydrocholesterol reductase
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alpha-Tocopherol