Prophylactic role of β-carotene against acrylonitrile-induced testicular toxicity in rats: Physiological and microscopical studies

Detection of toxicity induced by acrylonitrile exposure in rats and the protective role of astaxanthin using neurotransmitters in predicting 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and protein carbonyl levels

BACKGROUND

Neurotransmitters could be used as excellent predictors for oxidative stress products assessment. Acrylonitrile (ACN) is a common material used in the industry for the production of plastics, synthetic rubber, resins, fibers, adhesives, and chemical intermediates. However, it may affect the nervous system, neurotransmitter disruption, organs toxicity, protein and DNA damage through propagation of oxidative stress.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to provide equations for predicting the levels of oxidative stress products resulting from acrylonitrile exposure as a model of oxidation reaction stimulation in rats. In addition, astaxanthin (ASTX) protective potential against acrylonitrile toxicity is evaluated METHODS: Fifty rats were divided equally into five groups according to experimental design. Brain neurotransmitters, LDH, antioxidants, and oxidative stress markers were assessed. Furthermore, multiple regression analysis was used to design the desired equations RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis was employed to develop predictive equations for oxidative stress markers based on neurotransmitter levels and lactate dehydrogenase activity. The generated models demonstrated a significant relationship between oxidative damage indicators and key biochemical parameters. The predictive equations were as follows: 8OHdG = 333.77 - 159.21 × DOP + 0.07 × LDH, PC = 6.88 - 6.98 × NE + 0.002 × LDH, and MDA = 76.86 - 38.67 × DOP + 0.009 × LDH. These equations provide a novel approach for estimating oxidative stress levels. Additionally, there was an improvement in neurotransmitters levels by using ASTX. Also, there was an extreme increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and a significant decrease in cells biological macromolecules damage.

CONCLUSION

The regression analysis showed that LDH, dopamine, and norepinephrine are good predictors for the concentration of oxidative products of biological macromolecules, including 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as a marker of DNA oxidation, protein carbonyl (PC) as a marker of protein oxidation, and malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of lipid peroxidation. Moreover, ASTX could efficiently ameliorate acrylonitrile toxicity.

Protection of apigenin against acrylonitrile-induced sperm and testis injury in rats: involvement of activation of ASK1-JNK/p38 signaling pathway

This study aims to clarify if apigenin (AP) could play a pivotal role in attenuating acrylonitrile (ACN)-induced sperm and testis injury by inhibiting ASK1-JNK/p38 signaling pathway. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: a control group (corn oil), an ACN group (ACN 46 mg kg^-1), an ACN + AP1 group (ACN + AP 117 mg kg^-1), an ACN + AP2 group (ACN + AP 234 mg kg^-1) and an ACN + AP3 group (ACN + AP 351 mg kg^-1). The ACN + AP groups were given ACN by gavage after a pretreatment with different dosages of AP for 30 min, whereas the rats in the control group received an equivalent volume of corn oil. The gavage was conducted for 6 days per week in 4 weeks. The results showed that AP reduced sperm deformity rate and DNA fragment index and attenuated the testicular injury induced by ACN. AP could also alleviate oxidative stress, downregulate ASK1-JNK/p38 signaling pathway and eventually inhibit mitochondria-mediated testicular apoptosis. In brief, AP could dampen oxidative stress thereby inhibiting testicular apoptosis mediated by ASK1-JNK/p38 signaling pathway, alleviating ACN-induced sperm and testis injury and exerting a protective effect on male reproductive system.