Selenium nanoparticles alleviate lead acetate‐induced toxicological and morphological changes in rat testes through modulation of calmodulin‐related genes expression

Abstract

Lead (Pb) is one of the most common toxic heavy metals. It is a well-known testicular toxicant. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are a more effective form of elemental selenium that reduces drug-induced toxicities. This study aimed to study the possible ameliorating effect of SeNPs on the toxicological and morphological changes in testes of lead acetate intoxicated rats. The study was conducted on 40 adult male albino rats divided into four groups; control, SeNPs-treated, lead acetate-treated, lead acetate and SeNPS treated groups.The concurrent treatment of lead acetate-exposed rats with SeNPs (0.1 mg/kg/ day) for 12 weeks significantly lowered the blood and testicular lead levels, increased serum testosterone, and decreased luteinizing hormone and folliclestimulating hormone to approach control values. In addition, it improved the histopathological, and ultrastructural alterations of the testes and improved the immunohistochemical expression of the c-kit. This was accompanied by maintenance of the testicular oxidant/antioxidant balance and reversing the lead-induced disrupted calmodulin-related genes expression in testicular tissue in the form of downregulation of CAMMK2 and MAP2K6 and upregulation of CXCR4 genes. There was a strong positive correlation between testicular malondialdehyde and MAP2K6 expression level as well as a strong positive correlation between CXCR4 gene expression and the C-kit area %. In conclusion, SeNPs can be considered as a potential therapy for a lead-induced testicular injury.

Naringenin alleviate reproductive toxicity evoked by lead acetate via attenuation of sperm profile and biochemical alterations in male Wistar rat: Involvement of TGFβ/AKT/mTOR pathway

“…All of these indices could be effectively reversed by co-treatment with NGN [10,25,50] abnormalities. Notably, NGN co-treatment produced a noteworthy protection of the testis by preserving the intact seminiferous tubular morphology, which was proven by a significant rise in testosterone and LH levels along with a marked increase in sperm motility and sperm count.…”

Selenium in Bodily Homeostasis: Hypothalamus, Hormones, and Highways of Communication

“…Perhaps most notably, an enzymatically inert GPX4 isoform acts as a structural component of spermatozoa and is indispensable for sperm motility [ 275 ]. Additionally, selenium plays a largely protective role through redox regulation and has been shown to attenuate reproductive impairment in males of various species following exposure to many different injurious compounds, including DEHP [ 276 ], di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) [ 277 ], diclofenac [ 278 ], lead [ 279 ], ciprofloxacin [ 280 ], mercury [ 281 ], and dexamethasone [ 263 ]. In the cases of DEHP, DBP, diclofenac, and lead exposure in rats, selenium similarly mitigated testicular injury by maintaining testosterone, LH, and FSH levels.…”

“…In the cases of DEHP, DBP, diclofenac, and lead exposure in rats, selenium similarly mitigated testicular injury by maintaining testosterone, LH, and FSH levels. Selenium treatment also protected expression of IGF-3 following DBP exposure [ 277 ], and lowered blood and testicular lead levels following lead exposure [ 279 ]. In laying hens, selenium attenuated the effects of mercury exposure by elevating LH, FSH, progesterone, and estradiol levels closer to those of controls [ 281 ].…”

The Effects of Sodium Tetraborate against Lead Toxicity in Rats: The Behavior of Some Metabolic Enzymes

“…Pb, one of the metals that have been known for the longest time, is a prevalent and permanent source of environmental toxicity, and although Pb poisoning continues to be a health threat . it is still being used in several developing countries due to its unique physical and chemical properties . According to the World Health Organization, contact with toxic materials such as Pb and various other metals can promote the emergence or exacerbation of pathologic processes .…”

“… 2 it is still being used in several developing countries due to its unique physical and chemical properties. 3 According to the World Health Organization, contact with toxic materials such as Pb and various other metals can promote the emergence or exacerbation of pathologic processes. 4 Pb has been reported to have several toxic effects such as hematological, 5 immunological, 6 renal, 7 , 8 hepatic, 9 , 10 and reproductive dysfunction 11 , 12 effects.…”