Dietary lipids modulate fatty acid composition, gamma glutamyltranspeptidase and lipid peroxidation levels of the epididymis tissue in mice

The purpose of this work was to analyze the effect of diets that contain several oils whose composition in fatty acids were different, on the kinetic parameters of the gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGTP) and the lipoperoxidation of the epididymis because GGTP controls the level of the glutathione that is an molecule that regulates the level of oxidation protecting the maturation and survival of sperm in the lumen of the epididymis. The caput portion of the epididymis was chosen because the epithelium of this segment synthesizes GGTP. Weaned BALB-c mice were fed a commercial or semi-synthetic diet that contained 5% added olein. The mice were maintained on corn oil or fish oil diet for the first 4-8 months of age. The kinetic variables of the GGTP enzyme, analyzed by means of multiple regression analysis using dummy variables, showed that values were similar in olein and corn oil samples, whereas in samples from the fish oil fed group the enzyme behaved as that in animals maintained on commercial diets. Although there were no variations in maximum velocity (Vm) of the enzyme, the Km value, was greater (P < 0.0001) for the mice fed the olein and corn diets. These groups contained greater percentages of the monounsaturated fatty acids, palmitoleic (16:1 n-7) and oleic acid, 18:1 n-9. Similarly, the amount of lipid peroxidation was also greater in the olein and corn oil groups with respect to commercial and fish groups. The significant increment in Km of GGTP in the olein and corn groups was correlated with greater amount of monounsaturated fatty acids and lipid peroxidation in the epididymis. In conclusion, modifications of dietary lipid sources differentially modulated the epididymis tissue fatty acid profile, lipid peroxidation amounts, and the Km of GGTP. These effects may alter the metabolism of the natural substrate of GGTP, glutathione, a tripeptide with a powerful antioxidant activity, which is necessary in maintaining the oxidative state of the sperm microenvironment, thereby favoring maturation of the male gametes.