Frequent inadequate supply of micronutrients in fast food induces oxidative stress and inflammation in testicular tissues of weanling rats

Fast food is high in energy density and low in essential micronutrient density, especially zinc (Zn), of which antioxidant processes are dependent. We have tested the hypothesis that frequent fast food consumption could induce oxidative damage associated with inflammation in weanling male rats in relevance to Zn deprivation, which could adversely affect testis function. Zn and iron (in plasma and testicular tissue), plasma antioxidant vitamins (A, E, and Q, as well as testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation indexes (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lipoprotein oxidation susceptibility (LOS)), and inflammatory markers (plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and testicular tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)) were determined. Serum testosterone and histological examination of the testis were performed also. We found a severe decrease in antioxidant vitamins and Zn, with concomitant iron accumulation. Zinc deficiency correlated positively with SOD, GSH, antioxidant vitamins and testosterone, and negatively with TBARS, LOS, CRP and TNF-alpha, demonstrating a state of oxidative stress and inflammation. We concluded that micronutrient deficiency, especially Zn, enhanced oxidative stress and inflammation in testicular tissue leading to underdevelopment of testis and decreased testosterone levels.