Tomato ( Lycopersicon esculentum ) prevents lead-induced testicular toxicity

Abstract

BACKGROUND:Lead, an example of heavy metals, has, for decades, being known for its adverse effects on various body organs and systems such that their functions are compromised.AIM:In the present study, the ability of lead to adversely affect the male reproductive system was investigated and tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum: Source of antioxidants) paste (TP) was administered orally to prevent the adverse effects of Pb.MATERIALS AND METHODS:Fifteen Sprague Dawley rats, randomised into three groups (n = 5), were used for this study. Animals in Group A served as the control and were drinking distilled water. Animals in Groups B and C were drinking 1% Pb (II) acetate (LA). Group C animals were, in addition to drinking LA, treated with 1.5 ml of TP/day. All treatments were for 8 weeks.STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED:A Mann–Whitney U-test was used to analyse the results obtained.RESULTS:The obtained results showed that Pb caused a significant reduction in the testicular weight, sperm count, life–death ratio, sperm motility, normal sperm morphology, and plasma and tissue superoxide dismutase and catalase activity, but a significant increase in plasma and tissue malondialdehyde concentration. But, Pb did not cause any significant change in the serum testosterone level. TP, however, significantly reduced these adverse effects of Pb.CONCLUSION:These findings lead to the conclusion that TP significantly lowered the adverse effects of Pb exposure on the kidney as well as Pb-induced oxidative stress.

Influence of Vitamin C and Vitamin E on testicular zinc content and testicular toxicity in lead exposed albino rats

“…Lead exposure resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activities in the testes of the rats. This observations are similar to those made by Salawu et al, [20]. Our study also showed that there was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the levels of nitric oxide content in the testes of the animals similar to observations made by Moniem et al, [6].…”

“…This is in agreement with El-tohamy [29] who observed that lead suppressed TT production with no significant alteration to LH content. However, studies carried out by Salawu et al, [20] showed no significant decrease in serum TT level in lead treated rats. Nevertheless, reduction of LH and TT levels in animals exposed to lead indicates enzyme inhibition in the steroidogenetic pathway [30].…”

A potential mechanism associated with lead-induced testicular toxicity in rats

“…Thus, the declined activities of the antioxidant enzymes (in the present study) are likely to be due to inhibition of functional SH groups, and the competition of Pb with essential trace elements. Our results and published data (Mabrouk & Ben Cheikh, ; Salawu et al., ) showed a significant elevation in levels of MDA (as an indicator of lipid peroxide, LPO) in the testes of Pb‐treated rats. The impaired antioxidant system of the cell impairs the elimination of ROS which when accumulate cause oxidative damages to proteins, DNA and membrane lipids.…”

“…In consistent with previous studies (Al‐Attar, ; Ramah et al., ; Sokol, ), Pb decreased serum testosterone level in rats. In contrast, other studies revealed either a significant increase (Allouche et al., ) or insignificant decrease (Salawu et al., ). This discrepancy suggests the existence of an alternative pathway(s) in HPT axis involving hormones other than testosterone.…”

“…Although the exposure to Pb can disrupt spermatogenesis and produce poor semen quality (Garcia‐Leston, Mendez, Pasaro, & Laffon, ), the underlying mechanisms causing these effects have yet to be determined. Some previous studies showed direct effects of Pb on testes (Batra, Nehru, & Bansal, ; Vaziri & Khan, ), while others reported a central action on the hypothalamic–pituitary axis involving changes in LH, FSH and testosterone levels (Allouche, Hamadouche, & Touabti, ; Huseman, Varma, & Angle, ; Salawu et al., ).…”