Diminazene Aceturate, an ACE2 activator, ameliorates testicular injury in diet-induced obese mice

Xiaofeng Yue; Rui Yin; Liling Wu; Jinjin Li; Jianwu Wang; Benhuang Yan; Lingyong Dai; Chongxing Shen; Yi Zhi; Shengquan Huang; Ling Wan; Jigao Yang; Weibing Li

doi:10.1530/REP-24-0242

Diminazene Aceturate, an ACE2 activator, ameliorates testicular injury in diet-induced obese mice

Reproduction. 2025 Jan 1:REP-24-0242. doi: 10.1530/REP-24-0242. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Xiaofeng Yue¹, Rui Yin², Liling Wu³, Jinjin Li⁴, Jianwu Wang⁵, Benhuang Yan⁶, Lingyong Dai⁷, Chongxing Shen⁸, Yi Zhi⁹, Shengquan Huang¹⁰, Ling Wan¹¹, Jigao Yang¹², Weibing Li¹³

Affiliations

¹ X Yue, NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing Population and Family Planning Science and Technology Research Institute, Chongqing, China.
² R Yin, NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing Population and Family Planning Science and Technology Research Institute, Chongqing, China.
³ L Wu, NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing Population and Family Planning Science and Technology Research Institute, Chongqing, China.
⁴ J Li, Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
⁵ J Wang, Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
⁶ B Yan, Department of Urology,, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
⁷ L Dai, Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
⁸ C Shen, Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
⁹ Y Zhi, Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
¹⁰ S Huang, Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
¹¹ L Wan, NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing Research Institute for Population and Family Planning Science and Technology, , Chongqing, China.
¹² J Yang, NHC Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Reproductive Health, Chongqing Population and Family Planning Science and Technology Research Institute, Chongqing, China.
¹³ W Li, Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.

PMID: 39852691
DOI: 10.1530/REP-24-0242

Abstract

DIZE improved obesity and metabolic disturbances in DIO mice. An increase of sperm account and motility, along with improved morphology and increased male fertility was observed after DIZE treatment. Both serum and intratesticular testosterone levels showed an increase. Moreover, ACE2/Ang 1-7/MasR protein levels in the testes were restored, which inhibited germ cells apoptosis, lipid accumulation, and oxidative stress, and elevated testosterone synthesis-related proteins. However, the MasR antagonist A779 partially counteracted the improving effects of DIZE on metabolism and the testes of DIO mice. Conclusion: DIZE treatment has protective effects against obesity-induced testicular injury by activating ACE2/Ang 1-7/MasR axis.