Oyster oligopeptide improving cyclophosphamide‐induced partial androgen deficiency of the aging male by promotion of testosterone synthesis

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of oyster oligopeptide (OOP) at different doses on testosterone secretion and its regulating mechanism in partial androgen deficiency syndrome of aging male. METHODS: The cyclophosphamide-induced partial androgen deficiency syndrome of the aging male rats were treated with a low, medium and high dose of OOP for 6 weeks. RESULTS: Cyclophosphamide could decrease levels of total testosterone and luteinizing hormone in serum, and testosterone and glutathione peroxidase in testis, and increase malondialdehyde, and downregulate the mRNA expression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, steroidogenic acute regulatory-related lipid transfer domain 7 and P450 cholesterol side chain cleavage enzyme in testis (P < 0.05). All these changes were reversed by OOP co-administration with different doses, although, OOP at a low dose did not increase serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone and testicular glutathione peroxidase levels. CONCLUSIONS: OOP treatment with different doses can effectively reduce oxidative stress in testicular tissue, promote the synthesis of testosterone and then prevent the formation of partial androgen deficiency syndrome of the aging male, with optimal effect at medium dose. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 268-275.