Curcumin protects the testis against cadmium-induced histopathological damages and oxidative stress in mice

Abstract

Background: Cadmium is an environmental pollutant which can induce the overproduction of free radicals while suppressing the antioxidant defense system. Curcumin is considered a free-radical scavenger and a potent antioxidant. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of curcumin on serum antioxidant enzymes and histopathological changes in mice treated with cadmium. Methods: In this experimental study, adult mice were divided into four groups, namely, control, cadmium chloride (5 mg kg−1), curcumin (100 mg kg−1), and curcumin+cadmium chloride. The animals received curcumin 24 h prior to cadmium chloride injection. After 24 h, blood samples were collected and used to assess the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidant enzymes activity (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase), total glutathione, total thiol, and hydrogen peroxide. Histopathological evaluation was also performed for testicular tissue. Results: Mice treated with cadmium showed a significant ( p < 0.001) decrease in the activity of antioxidant enzymes, serum amounts of total glutathione and total thiol, and the diameter of seminiferous tubules compared to the control group. This pollutant also significantly ( p < 0.001) increased serum levels of MDA and hydrogen peroxide and the lumen diameter of seminiferous tubules compared to the control group. In the curcumin+cadmium group, curcumin significantly ( p < 0.001) reversed the adverse effects of cadmium, compared to the cadmium group. In addition, curcumin alone significantly ( p < 0.001) increased serum glutathione peroxidase activity and thiol content compared to the control group. Conclusion: Curcumin, as a potent antioxidant, could compensate the adverse effects of cadmium on lipid and protein peroxidation, potentiated serum antioxidant defense system, and ameliorated some morphometrical parameters in the testis of cadmium-treated mice.

Investigation of the Effects of Calcium Fructoborate on Testicular Structure in Rats within the Framework of Biochemical Parameters, Testosterone Hormone and DNA Damage in Cadmium Chloride Induced Toxicity

“…In these studies in the literature list, we have learned that cadmium causes decreased levels of the indicator related to testicular oxidation in the testicular tissue. 4,5,[7][8][9] In our current study, in cadmium chloride group, SOD and GPx activity and GSH and testosterone levels were significantly lower than the control group. Our results support the previous studies.…”

“…1 Cadmium, a heavy metal, has been reported to be abundant especially in industrial areas, 2 causing injury in the liver, kidneys and testicles. [3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Especially, in the toxicity it causes in the testicles, it has been reported that spermatogenesis is impaired and there are decreases in gonadotropic hormones and testosterone hormone. [10][11][12] It has also been reported to cause apoptosis in the male reproductive cell.…”

A Flavonoid-Rich Extract from Bergamot Juice, Alone or in Association with Curcumin and Resveratrol, Shows Protective Effects in a Murine Model of Cadmium-Induced Testicular Injury

“…Among them, Cur, the main natural polyphenol found in the rhizome of Curcuma longa and in other Curcuma spp., showed protective effects against oxidative damage [ 29 ], as it inhibited the in vitro production of TNF-α [ 24 ] and scavenged ROS [ 25 ]. In Cd-treated rats, Cur administration improved the oxidative stress [ 27 ], partially protected seminiferous tubules morphology [ 26 ], and significantly decreased (but not to normal values) the number of apoptotic germinal cells [ 28 ]. In our study, Cur alone, particularly at 100 mg/kg, was able to increase the body and the testis weight to modulate the inflammatory and apoptotic pathways and to reduce the structural damages and the morphological parameters of the seminiferous tubules, thus playing a role in the treatment of human infertility.…”

“…Cur, Re, and BJe were orally administered for 14 days, while CdCl 2 was dispensed intraperitoneally (i.p.). The doses of CdCl 2 as well as BJe, Re, and Cur employed in this study were chosen in agreement with previous findings [ 11 , 13 , 20 , 27 , 33 , 39 , 59 , 60 , 70 ]. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, all mice were weighted and sacrificed with an overdose of ketamine and xylazine (75/10 mg/kg i.p.…”

“…In this field, the phenolic compound curcumin (Cur), a major component of Curcuma longa L., showed protective effects against oxidative damage by inhibiting the production of TNF-α [ 24 ] and by scavenging ROS [ 25 ]. In this regard, in rodents challenged with Cd, Cur improved seminiferous tubules morphology [ 26 , 27 ] and significantly decreased the number of apoptotic germinal cells [ 28 , 29 ]. Additionally, resveratrol (Re), a polyphenol present in many plants and especially in red wine, showed antioxidant properties [ 30 ] as well a positive regulation of apoptosis and other zonula occludens protein expression, such as occludin [ 31 , 32 ].…”