Role of Se+Zn in regeneration (Ki-67) following Pb toxicity (p53andcad) in the germinal epithelium of adult Wistar rats

Mercuric chloride induced reproductive toxicity associated with oxidative damage in male Wistar albino rat, Rattus norvegicus

In the field of toxicology, male reproductive hazards attributed to metal exposure is a fast-developing issue. Mercury has been identified as an environmental pollutant that causes potential adverse impacts on organisms. This study aimed to assess the reprotoxic consequences of mercuric chloride (HgCl2). Five groups of sexually mature albino rats were given oral mercuric chloride (HgCl2) treatment. (G1) control group received saline treatment; (G2) (5.25 mg/kg of HgCl2 for 30 days); (G3) (5.25 mg/kg of HgCl2 for 60 days); (G4) (10.5 mg/kg of HgCl2 for 30 days); (G5) (10.5 mg/kg of HgCl2 for 60 days). The hormonal levels, sperm count, sperm motility, sperm viability, and reproductive organ weight, including body weight, were substantially reduced, whereas the sperm abnormality rate was enhanced in rat groups treated with HgCl2. The analysis revealed that the effect size (Cohen's d) for sperm parameters, including sperm count, motility and viability, were extremely high across all groups, except for sperm abnormality in group 2 (d = 0.59) and group 3 (d = 0.18), where moderate and small effect sizes were observed respectively, and this suggests a significant impact of the intervention on sperm parameters. The administration of HgCl2 resulted in the induction of oxidative stress in testis that is manifested by substantially enhanced lipid peroxidation (MDA) with a substantial decrease in activity of antioxidant enzymes like catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in testes of mercury-treated groups. Concomitantly, there was downregulation in the mRNA levels of the genes involved in spermatogenesis, namely Hsp-70, insulin-like growth factor (IGF), glutathione-S-transferase, and p53 in the testis. The expression of antiapoptotic protein B cell lymphoma (Bcl-2) was decreased, and conversely, the expression of cell proliferative protein Ki-67 was increased in a dose- and duration-dependent manner. Histopathological studies showed degenerative changes in the testis, epididymis, prostate gland, and seminal vesicle, compared to the control group. All the evidence suggests that after mercury exposure, there may be an imbalance between the body's defenses against free radicals and antioxidants, making the testis more susceptible to oxidative damage. This imbalance could potentially have a detrimental effect on the function of the male reproductive system.

Nanocurcumin versus mesenchymal stem cells in ameliorating the deleterious effects in the cadmium-induced testicular injury: A crosstalk between oxidative and apoptotic markers

Cadmium (Cd), a grave occupational pollutant, can result in; testicular damage. This study was designed to distinguish the potential effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) versus that of curcumin nanoemulsion on Cd-induced testicular damage. Fifty adult male Sprague Dawley rats were distributed into five groups; control, sham control, Cd-treated, stem cell-treated and nanocurcumin-treated groups. Histological, immune histochemical; caspase 3 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and CD 68, testosterone levels, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde (MDA)/glutathione (GSH) superoxide, dismutase (SOD), Western blot; B-cell lymphoma (Bcl-2), BCL2-Associated X Protein (BAX), BAX/Bcl-2 ratio and morphometry were done. Cadmium-treated group showed degenerated, detached seminiferous tubules, vacuolations and wide interstitial spaces containing fluid exudates. The same group revealed increased expression of BAX, BAX/Bcl-2 ratio, caspase 3, CD 68 and increased mean values of MDA, NO. Concomitantly, Cd has significant reduction in PCNA, Bcl-2 and sperm cell count when compared to control group. BM-MSCs- and nanocurcumin-treated groups revealed well-structured tubules and were perceived to expressively enhance the deleterious changes induced by Cd. The injurious changes on the testis induced by Cd were obviously improved when treated with either MSCs or nano-curcumin. BM-MSCs exerted more ameliorative changes.

Protective effect of grape seed extract against cadmium-induced testicular dysfunction

Cadmium (Cd) is the most prevalent toxic metal present in livestock feed; therefore, the present study aimed to examine the ameliorative effects of grape seed extract (GSE) on cadmium chloride (CdCl₂)-induced testicular dysfunction of Wistar rats. Male adult Wistar rats (40 rats; n=10/group) were divided into four equal groups. Group one was used as a control, and was given ad libitum access to food and water. Groups 2–4 were treated with CdCl₂ [5 mg/kg body weight (BW)], GSE (400 mg/kg BW, orally), and GSE plus CdCl₂, respectively. Blood and testicular tissues were collected and assayed for biochemical and histopathological changes, respectively. Testicular genes were expressed using semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis. The results of the present study demonstrated that there was a decrease in serum testosterone levels following CdCl₂ toxicity, which were normalized after GSE co-administration. Furthermore, CdCl₂ significantly increased the serum levels of malondialdehyde, and decreased levels of antioxidants. At the histopathological level, the testes of the CdCl₂ group exhibited congestion, edema in the interstitial blood vessels, irregular arrangement of the epithelial lining of the seminiferous tubules, and degeneration and sloughing of the spermatogenic cells, which accumulated in the center of the seminiferous tubules. Such pathological alterations were ameliorated following treatment with GSE in the CdCl₂ plus GSE group. The immunohistochemical expression of B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein was high in the CdCl₂ group, and low in the control and GSE groups. Co-treatment with GSE and CdCl₂ exhibited ameliorative effects on the immunoreactivity of B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein. CdCl₂ toxicity induced a significant downregulation in the mRNA expression levels of cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, cytochrome P450 17A1, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), 17β-HSD, androgen receptor, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, and follicle-stimulating hormone receptor. GSE administration exhibited a stimulatory effect on steroidogenesis-associated enzymes, and co-treatment with GSE and CdCl₂ normalized and upregulated the mRNA expression levels of these examined genes. This study concluded that GSE has beneficial protective effects against the deleterious effects of CdCl₂ on the testis.

Effect of Ocimum basilicum extract on cadmium-induced testicular histomorphometric and immunohistochemical alterations in albino rats

The present study examined the efficacy of Ocimum basilicum (basil) extract, a natural herb, with antioxidant properties, against testicular toxicity induced by cadmium (Cd), which is one of the most important toxic heavy metals. The intoxicated rats showed significant alterations in the testicular tissue including decreased seminiferous epithelium height and changes in the arrangement of spermatogenic layers. Hypospermatogensis with cytoplasmic vacuolization and pyknotic nuclei were observed. Intertubular hemorrahage and absence of spermatozoa were noted. Decreased cell proliferation was reflected by a decrease in Ki-67 expression, whereas the increase in apoptotic rate was associated with a decrease in the Bcl/Bax ratio. Concomitant treatment with aqueous basil extract led to an improvement in histological, morphometrical and immunohistochemical changes induced by Cd. The beneficial effects of basil extract could be attributed to its antioxidant properties.