No abstract

Endocrine disrupting effects have become a major issue in the field of environmental toxicology. Due to the testicular toxicity reported for acrylamide and confirmed in our study, and the double jeopardy with its well-documented carcinogenicity following leaching out from overcooked starchy foods, the current study was extended to address the possible protective effects of two nutraceuticals. The present study was designed to assess the possible reproductive toxicity of acrylamide in adult male Swiss albino rats. Also, the work was extended to investigate the potential protective effects of two nutraceuticals namely; thymoquinone (TQ) and capsaicin against acrylamide-induced reproductive toxicity. Sixty male albino rats were allotted into six groups. Group 1: Rats received free tap water and served as control group. Group 2: Rats received acrylamide in a daily dose and served as the model. Group 3: Rats were administered TQ twice weekly. Group 4: Rats were administered capsaicin once daily. Group 5: Rats challenged with acrylamide were administered TQ twice weekly. Group 6: Rats challenged with acrylamide were administered capsaicin once daily. A murine model of acrylamide testicular toxicity was reproduced and was characterized biochemically, morphologically and histologically. Acrylamide increased oxidative stress, expression of testicular NF-κB/p65, in addition down regulated the expression of occludin that may further account for its testicular toxicity. Both nutraceuticals; TQ and capsaicin have proven more or less efficacy in ameliorating all the toxic insults exerted by acrylamide in the current reproductive toxicity model.