Serum testosterone level and active caspase-3 of Leydig cells of diabetic Sprague-Dawley male rats after administration of soybean (Glycin max) powder suspension

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known as the main death cause in the world. This disease causes acute
and chronic complication. The common chronic complication on male reproduction system is
the decrease of testosterone level. This hormone is produced in the Leydig cells. Soybeans
(Glycin max) has been used in the management of DM to maintain blood glucose level. However,
the effect of soybean on serum testosterone level is still unclear. The aim of this study was to
evaluate serum testosterone level and caspase-3 active of Leydig cells of diabetic Sprague-
Dawley (SD) male rats model induced by streptozotocine (STZ) after oral ingestion of soybean
powder suspension. This was an experimental study with pre and post test control group design.
Thirty SD male rats, aged 11-12 weeks with body weight (BW) of 200-250 g were divided into 5
groups with 6 rats in each group. The first group (G1) was normal rat control and the second
group (G2) was diabetic rat control. The third to fifth group (G3, G4 and G5) were diabetic rat
treatment with oral ingestion of soybean powder suspension that was given once a day during 4
weeks with dose of 400; 800 and 1600 mg/kg BW, respectively. The serum testosterone level
was measured by an ELISA and active caspase-3 of Leydig cells were measured by an
immunohistochemistry method. The result showed that the serum testosterone level and active
casapse-3 Leydig cells of diabetic rats model induced by STZ were not significantly different
after oral ingestion of soybean powder suspension with dose of 400, 800 and 1600 mg/kg BW
(p>0.05). In conclusion, soybean powder suspension did not affect the serum testosterone
level and active caspase-3 Leydig cells in diabetic rats.

Keywords: diabetes - soybean - phytoestrogen - testosterone - active caspase-3