Ginseng Soluble Dietary Fiber Enhances Spermatogenic Potential in Obese Mice via the MAPK Signaling Pathway

Abstract

Objectives. To investigate the effects of ginseng soluble dietary fiber (GSDF) on the spermatogenic potential in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Method. C57BL/6 mice were fed an HFD for 60 days, and GSDF was administered by gastric gavage. The mice were divided into control, HFD, GSDF (high, medium, and low), and positive (metformin and MH) groups. During this period, changes in body weight were recorded. Various organ indices were measured 24 h after the last dose. Sperm quality in the vas deferens and epididymis tail was determined using fully automated analyzers. Serum levels of the three lipids, cytokines, and hormones were detected by ELISA. Pathological changes in the testicular tissue and epididymal fat were observed by H&E and immunofluorescence staining of the testicular tissue for superoxide dismutase (SOD) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). Changes in the levels of MAPK pathway proteins in the testicular cells were detected by western blotting. Result. GSDF intervention significantly reduced the body weight, renal index, and white fat in obese mice, while increasing the testicular organ index. GSDF intervention significantly reduced serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in mice compared to the HFD group, thereby improving hyperlipidemia. Simultaneously, the serum cytokine IL-4 level was increased, IL-6 level was significantly reduced, testosterone (T) hormone level was significantly increased, and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels were significantly reduced in the GSDF-treated mice. The viability, survival rate, and density of spermatozoa in the treated groups significantly improved. Testicular interstitial cell vacuolization and collagen fibrosis improved, spermatogonia were aligned, and epididymal fat cell hypertrophy and vacuolization were suppressed. In the GSDF treatment group, SOD levels increased significantly, whereas 4-HNE levels decreased, with the most evident effect observed in the medium-dose group. GSDF ameliorated metabolic disorders in obese mice by regulating the p-JNK/p-p38MAPK pathway. Conclusion. GSDF ameliorated spermatogenic potential in obese mice by regulating the MAPK signaling pathway. Thus, GSDF may be an effective lipid-lowering agent for improving the reproductive potential of obese mice.