Protective Action ofEruca sativaLeaves Aqueous Extracts Against Bisphenol A-CausedIn VivoTesticular Damages

Abstract

Eruca sativa action on the male reproductive system and fertility has not been precisely defined. In this study, the aim was to investigate the ameliorative activity of Eruca sativa aqueous extracts (ESAE) on reproductive toxicity associated with oxidative stress induced by Bisphenol A (BPA). Wistar rats were used and divided into 6 groups of animals each; control (0.4 ml of corn oil/rat), ESAE at the higher dose (200 mg/kg), BPA [100 mg/kg, body weight (b.w.), perorally (p.o.)] alone or in combination with varied doses of ESAE (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, b.w, p.o.). The diverse doses were administrated orally for 30 consecutive days. The results showed that BPA-treatment produced a diminution of density, motility and viability of sperm with disruption of spermatozoa morphology and fertilizing potential as well as testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone levels. These results were accompanied by testis and epididymis histological damages which were shown by an induction of testicular dysfunction as seen with a lower number of Leydig-cells and spermatocytes as well as a reproductive stress which was modeled. The oxidative stress was measured by malondialdehyde (MDA) production, thiol group (-SH) decline and antioxidant enzyme activities disturbance, in particular superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in reproductive tissues. ESAE co-administration at the two lower doses improved all histological and biochemical parameter injuries. These finding suggested the ESAE ability to prevent the testicular damages in rats which might be linked to functional-bioactive substances such phenolic compounds with higher antioxidant capacity.

Bisphenol A and Male Fertility: Myths and Realities

“…In rodent models, with some exceptions (57)(58)(59), the in vivo exposure to BPA at different doses (largely ranging from 2 µg/kg/day to 960 mg BPA/kg body weight/day) and time intervals (from 5 to 84 days) resulted in a significant decrease in sperm counts (60)(61)(62)(63)(64)(65)(66)(67)(68)(69)(70), sperm motility (61,62,67), normal sperm morphology (62), increase in sperm DNA damage (63,67), and poor spermatogenesis (64)(65)(66)(70)(71)(72). A large between-studies heterogeneity in both cumulative effective doses and tolerable daily intakes was observed.…”

“…An interference at hypothalamic-pituitary level of the gonadal axis has been clearly demonstrated in the rat, where, with a few exceptions (65,76), the administration of BPA significantly lowered both the expression of the GnRH gene in cells of preoptic area (64) and circulating levels of gonadotropins and/or testosterone (64,69,70,(77)(78)(79)(80)(81). Interestingly, the perinatal phase would represent a sensitive exposure window (3), as the treatment of pregnant and nursing dams with BPA decreased intratesticular (77) and circulating (82) testosterone levels of male offspring in adulthood.…”

“…Independently of its hormonal disrupting effects, BPA could interfere with spermatogenesis processes even through other mechanisms. After in vivo exposure to BPA, an impaired testicular glucose homeostasis has been reported in the rat (103), and an increased testicular oxidative stress has been revealed both in the rat (70,103) and in the mouse (104,105). BPA can also induce apoptosis in cultured Sertoli cells from rodents (106)(107)(108)(109) by inducing dysfunction of mitochondria and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (110).…”

Fighting Bisphenol A-Induced Male Infertility: The Power of Antioxidants

“…Although BPA is not an oxidizer itself, it leads to cellular changes usually manifested by lipid peroxidation (LPO) and free radicals production causing oxidative stress (OS) [21][22][23][24]. In the past decade, the use of antioxidants such as melatonin [25,26], vitamin C [27], N-acetylcysteine [28], coenzyme Q10 [29], and several plant extracts [30][31][32], to prevent and/or revert BPAinduced testicular toxicity started to be investigated. In this review, we briefly describe the effects of BPA on male reproductive health and discuss the use of antioxidants to prevent or revert the BPA-induced toxicity and infertility in men.…”

Bisphenol A-Induced Epigenetic Changes and Its Effects on the Male Reproductive System

“…In this paper, we have also illustrated the possible strategies to counteract the epigenetic effect of BPA. Indeed, several antioxidants can ameliorate reproductive function by inhibiting BPA's effect on oxidative stress (68)(69)(70).…”