Silymarin abrogates acrylamide‐induced oxidative stress‐mediated testicular toxicity via modulation of antioxidant mechanism, DNA damage, endocrine deficit and sperm quality in rats

Abstract

Acrylamide (ACR) is a toxic chemical formed in foods processed at high temperature; it is a food‐borne toxicant with increasing public health attention due to its carcinogenic, neurotoxic and reproductive toxicities. However, till date, it is unknown whether silymarin (SIL) could attenuate ACR testicular toxicity. Therefore, the present study investigated the effect of SIL on ACR testiculotoxicity in rats. Rats were randomly divided and administered respective agents in Control group, ACR group, SIL group and ACR + SIL group for consecutive 14 days. Rat exposure to ACR resulted in significant reduction in the level of serum testosterone, whereas FSH and LH levels prominently increased compared to control. Acrylamide induced marked decreases in sperm count and sperm motility followed by a considerable increase in sperm abnormality percentage in the ACR‐exposed rats in comparison to control. The testicular activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were significantly diminished, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) level considerably increased. Additionally, ACR induced marked DNA fragmentation and histopathological lesions compared to control. Interestingly, the co‐treatment of SIL with ACR attenuated the altered reproductive indices and restored antioxidant balance and DNA integrity. Overall, SIL prevents ACR‐induced testicular reproductive deficits via modulation of antioxidant mechanism in rats.

Resveratrol Mitigates Diabetic Testicular Dysfunction, Endocrine Deficits, and Insulin Resistance via Suppression of Sperm-Endocrine Aberrations and Oxidative Inflammation in Rats

“…It was observed in the DM group that T, LH, and FSH serum levels prominently reduced in comparison to control (Table 4). The depressed levels of these reproductive hormones suggest deficits in testicular testosterone synthesis which can be endocrinologically associated with dysregulations in the gonadotrophic hormones found in this study [34]. Furthermore, insulin resistance, as observed in the DM rats has been linked to reduced secretion of T by Leydig cells [7].…”

“…The technique of Evans and Maxwell [33] was adopted for sperm abnormality study. Whereas, the assessment of sperm motility was done according to Morrissey et al (1988) as stated in our recent paper by Alturki et al [34].…”

“…The prepared slides were examined under light microscope. Testicular lesions were semiquantitatively graded as follows: 0: intact histoarchitecture (normal), 1: mild lesions, 2: moderate lesions, and 3: severe damage [34].…”

Effects of naringin on oxidative stress, inflammation, some reproductive parameters, and apoptosis in acrylamide‐induced testis toxicity in rat

“…29 It has been reported by many studies that ACR causes organ toxicities. 4 This study revealed that NA administration reduced ACRinduced testicular toxicity in rats.…”

“…ACR occurs more often in foods of vegetable origin (such as potatoes, cereals, coconut, lentils, and asparagus) rich in these substances 3 . Studies have shown that the administration of 50 mg/kg ACR to male rats for 14 days has a genotoxic effect 4 . In another study, it was determined that 5 mg/kg ACR administration to rats weighing 120–150 g for 4 weeks had effects such as a decrease in testosterone level and Leydig cell numbers, apoptosis in testicular cells, causing giant cells, and delaying cell cycle in the body 5 .…”