Abstract: Objective To explore if probiotic microbes relieve CPFX-induced testosterone reduction in mouse testes. Methods Twenty-four of male mices were divided into 4 groups, then administered saline for 6 days (Sal6 group), CPFX for 6 days (A6 group), CPFX for 6 days and then bifidobacteria for the next 6 days (A6+P6 group), CPFX for 6 days and then saline for the next 6 days (A6+Sal6 group). We detected serum levels of testosterone by RIA, as well as levels of steroidogenic enzymes mRNA [cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc) and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR)] and NF-E2-related factor2 (Nrf2) mRNA in testes by real-time PCR, Nrf2 , heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) by Western blotting and 4-HNE by Immunohistochemistry. Results The A6 group had significantly lower serum testosterone levels compared with the Sal6 group (P<0.001), the A6+P6 group had significantly higher compared with the A6 (P<0.001) and A6+Sal6 groups (P<0.01). The A6 group had significantly lower StAR mRNA compared with the Sal6 group (P<0.001), the A6+P6 group had significantly higher compared with the A6 (P<0.01) and A6+Sal6 groups (P<0.01). The A6 group had significantly lower P450scc mRNA compared with the Sal6 group (P<0.001), the A6+P6 group had significantly higher compared with the A6 (P<0.001) and A6+Sal6 groups (P<0.05). The A6 group had significantly lower Nrf2 compared with the Sal6 group (P<0.001), the A6+P6 group had significantly higher compared with the A6 (P<0.01) and A6+Sal6 groups (P<0.05).The A6 group higher 4-HNE expression compared with the Sal6 group, the A6+P6 group had significantly lower compared with the A6 (P<0.01) and A6+Sal6 groups (P<0.05). Conclusions Probiotic microbes can relieve the reduction of CPFX-induced testosterone reduction, and these effects might be carried out through the Nrf2 inflammatory signaling pathway.

Key words: bifidobacteria, Ciprofloxacin, testosterone, Nrf2