| Title: | Melatonin or vitamin C attenuates lead acetate-induced testicular oxidative and inflammatory damage in mice by inhibiting oxidative stress mediated NF-kappaB signaling |
| Author(s): | Zhao ZM; Mei S; Zheng QY; Wang J; Yin YR; Zhang JJ; Wang XZ; |
| Address: | "Chongqing Key Laboratory of Forage & Herbivore, College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest, University, Beibei, Chongqing 400715, PR China. Chongqing Key Laboratory of Forage & Herbivore, College of Veterinary Medicine, Southwest, University, Beibei, Chongqing 400715, PR China. Electronic address: wang1973@swu.edu.cn" |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115481 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1090-2414 (Electronic) 0147-6513 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Lead (Pb) acts as an environmental endocrine disruptor and has negative effects in animals; excessive accumulation of lead causes reproductive dysfunction in male animals. Oxidative stress plays a vital role in Pb-induced injury. However, the mechanisms underlying chronic testicular toxicity of Pb remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine the effects of lead acetate on reproductive function in male mice, identify the underlying mechanisms, and test counter measures to alleviate the toxic effects. Male mice were dosed with lead acetate (500 mg/L) in free drinking water for 12 weeks, and administered melatonin (5 mg/kg) or vitamin C (500 mg/kg) by intraperitoneal injection. Blood from the eyeball, testicles, and sperm from the caudal epididymis were collected after 12 weeks and analyzed. Pb exposure reduced sperm count and motility, increased sperm malformation (P < 0.01), disrupted testicular morphology and structure, and decreased the expression of steroid hormone synthesis-related enzymes and serum testosterone concentration (P < 0.01). Pb also increased the number of inflammatory cells and the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-6 (P < 0.01), and activated NF-kappaB signaling. Furthermore, the ROS yield and oxidation indicators LPO and MDA were significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the antioxidant indicators T-AOC, SOD, and GSH were significantly reduced (P < 0.01). Treatment with melatonin or vitamin C reversed the effects of lead acetate; vitamin C was more effective in restoring SOD activity (P < 0.01) and enhancing ZO-1 protein levels (P < 0.01). Thus, long-term exposure to lead acetate at low concentrations could adversely affect sperm quality and induce inflammatory damage by oxidative stress mediated NF-kappaB signaling. Vitamin C could act as a protective agent and improve reproductive dysfunction in male animals after lead accumulation" |
| Keywords: | Male Animals Mice *Ascorbic Acid/pharmacology NF-kappa B *Melatonin/pharmacology Lead/toxicity Testis Semen Vitamins Oxidative Stress Acetates Superoxide Dismutase Lead Melatonin Testes Vitamin C; |
| Notes: | "MedlineZhao, Ze-Min Mei, Su Zheng, Qi-Yue Wang, Jiao Yin, Yi-Ru Zhang, Jiao-Jiao Wang, Xian-Zhong eng Netherlands 2023/09/17 Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2023 Oct 1; 264:115481. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115481. Epub 2023 Sep 14" |
