Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
2
Department of Medical Histology & Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt/ Department of Medical Histology & Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Horus University, Egypt
3
Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) is among the most hazardous heavy metals that adversely affect testicular tissue. Mercuric chloride (HgCl₂) is one of the most poisonous types of mercury. This study attempted to examine the potential ameliorative impact of pomegranate seed extract (PSE) against HgCl₂-induced testicular toxicity in adult rats. This study utilized a total of 40 male albino rats. Rats have been divided into four groups (10 per group): control, PSE, HgCl₂, and HgCl₂ plus PSE. PSE was provided at a dosage of 40 mg/kg bw, whilst HgCl₂ was given at a dosage of 1 mg/kg bw via gastric gavage. The dosage in the PSE and HgCl₂ groups was given for 28 consecutive days, blood samples were collected, and the animals were dissected to obtain the testes and epididymis. The findings revealed that HgCl₂ disrupted sexual hormones, by elevated serum FSH and testosterone levels and reduced LH levels. Additionally, rats given HgCl₂ exhibited significant impairment of sperm parameters (reduced sperm count and motility, along with heightened abnormalities) and elevated testicular oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Treatment of HgCl₂-exposed rats with PSE demonstrated a significant restoration of male sexual hormones and sperm parameters to baseline levels. PSE effectively reduced testicular oxidative stress induced by HgCl₂, as seen by a significant reduction in testicular MDA levels, along with enhanced activities of SOD and CAT, and increased GSH content. Similarly, PSE modulated the testicular inflammation and histological characteristics generated by HgCl₂, as evidenced by reduced levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, along with the inhibition of COX-2 expression. The additional beneficial effect of PSE was demonstrated by the lowering of testicular apoptosis via decreased Bax expression.
Keywords
)
View on SCiNiTO