Germanium citrate improves ovarian granulosa cells viability and antioxidant defense system in aging female mice during endotoxemia

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the vitality of ovarian granulosa cells (GCs), metabolic activity of neutrophils, as well as the antioxidant system state in aging female mice subjected to experimental endotoxemia, as well as the influence of germanium (Ge) citrate on the studied parameters under these conditions. Treatment with Gramm-negative bacteria lipopolysaccharide caused pathological changes in mouse ovaries: a decrease in GCs viability by increasing necrosis, an enhancement of metabolic activity of peripheral blood neutrophils, an increase in lipid peroxidaxion products and a violation of the antioxidant defense system (as evidenced by an elevation of the content of reactive products of 2-thiobarbituric acid and a reduction of reduced glutathione in liver homogenate, as well as a decrease in the concentration of ceruloplasmin in blood serum of aging female mice). Pretreatment of mice with Ge citrate was effective to reduce GCs death and improve their viability, decrease the degree of disruption of the redox balance and weaken the activity of cells of non-specific immune protection in aging endotoxemic animals. Our results suggest that Ge citrate may offer promising therapeutic benefits. Its cytoprotective effects and regulatory role in the antioxidant defense system, combined with its potential to reduce the intensity of gram-negative bacterial toxins induced inflammation, imply its usefulness. This multifaceted action may help prevent ovarian cell aging and, consequently, improve reproductive function.