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Vitamin C and oxidative stress in the seminiferous epithelium.
Angulo, Constanza; Maldonado, Rodrigo; Pulgar, Eduardo; Mancilla, Héctor; Córdova, Alex; Villarroel, Franz; Castro, Maite A; Concha, Ilona I.
Afiliação
  • Angulo C; Instituto de Bioquímica y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile. mcangulo@uach.cl
Biol Res ; 44(2): 169-80, 2011.
Article em En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22513420
In this article, we focus on the fundamental role of vitamin C transporters for the normal delivery of vitamin C to germ cells in the adluminal compartment of seminiferous tubules. We argue that the redox status within spermatozoa or in semen is partly responsible for the etiology of infertility. In this context, antioxidant defence plays a critical role in male fertility. Vitamin C, a micronutrient required for a wide variety of metabolic functions, has long been associated with male reproduction. Two systems for vitamin C transport have been described in mammals. Facilitative hexose transporters (GLUTs), with 14 known isoforms to date, GLUT1-GLUT14, transport the oxidized form of vitamin C (dehydroascorbic acid) into the cells. Sodium ascorbic acid co-transporters (SVCTs), SVCT1 and SVCT2 transport the reduced form of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Sertoli cells control germ cell proliferation and differentiation through cell-cell communication and form the blood-testis barrier. Because the blood-testis barrier limits direct access of molecules from the plasma into the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous tubule, one important question is the method by which germ cells obtain vitamin C. Some interesting results have thrown light on this matter. Expression of SVCT2 and some isoforms of GLUT transporters in the testis have previously been described. Our group has demonstrated that Sertoli cells express functionally active vitamin C transporters. Kinetic characteristics were described for both transport systems (SVCT and GLUT systems). Sertoli cells are able to transport both forms of vitamin C. These findings are extremely relevant, because Sertoli cells may control the amount of vitamin C in the adluminal compartment, as well as regulating the availability of this metabolite throughout spermatogenesis.
Assuntos

Texto completo: 1 Coleções: 01-internacional Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Ácido Ascórbico / Epitélio Seminífero / Células de Sertoli / Estresse Oxidativo / Proteínas Facilitadoras de Transporte de Glucose / Transportadores de Sódio Acoplados à Vitamina C Limite: Animals / Humans / Male Idioma: En Revista: Biol Res Assunto da revista: BIOLOGIA Ano de publicação: 2011 Tipo de documento: Article País de afiliação: Chile País de publicação: Reino Unido

Texto completo: 1 Coleções: 01-internacional Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Ácido Ascórbico / Epitélio Seminífero / Células de Sertoli / Estresse Oxidativo / Proteínas Facilitadoras de Transporte de Glucose / Transportadores de Sódio Acoplados à Vitamina C Limite: Animals / Humans / Male Idioma: En Revista: Biol Res Assunto da revista: BIOLOGIA Ano de publicação: 2011 Tipo de documento: Article País de afiliação: Chile País de publicação: Reino Unido