en |
Ameliorative effects of crocin on paraquat-induced oxidative stress in testis of adult mice: An experimental study
Kamali, Fahime Sadat; Shahrooz, Rasoul; Najafi, Golamreza & Razi, Mazdak
Abstract
Background: Paraquat (PQ), as a pyridine compound, is widely used worldwide to
control annual weeds. The oxidative stress caused by PQ can cause deleterious
changes in the testicular tissue.
Objective: An investigation on the protective effects of Crocin (CCN) against PQinduced
oxidative damages and apoptotic indices in testicular tissue.
Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight adult male albino mice (20-25 gr) were divided
into four groups (n = 7/each). The control group received 0.1 ml/day of normal saline
by intraperitoneal injection (IP); sham-control group received PQ 5 mg/kg/day, IP, and
the experimental groups received PQ (CCN+PQ) and CCN-sole (200 mg/kg/day, IP),
respectively, for 35 continuous days. At the end of the treatment period, the testes
were dissected out and used for biochemical, molecular, and histological analyses. The
expressions of tumor suppressor p53, B-cell lymphoma 2 (bcl-2), and caspase-3 were
considered as hallmark factors of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. Moreover, the
testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated as
key biomarkers for oxidative stress.
Results: The PQ significantly (p < 0.02, p < 0.01) diminished the spermatogenesis
indices and SOD, increased MDA levels, and enhanced the apoptosis-related gene
expression. However, the co-administration of CCN and PQ significantly (p < 0.01, p <
0.01, p < 0.02) ameliorated the spermatogenesis ratio, upregulated the SOD level as
well as bcl-2 expression, and reduced the MDA content and apoptosis vs the PQ-sole
group.
Conclusion: This study showed that the antioxidant properties of CCN enable to
ameliorate the PQ-induced destructive effects by upregulating the testicular structure,
antioxidant and apoptotic status.
Keywords
Histology; Testis; Paraquat; Crocin; Mice.
|