Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the protective effect of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on cadmium (Cd)-induced testicular apoptosis, endothelial nitric oxide synthases (eNOS) expression, and toxicity in rats. A total of 24 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups, namely, control, Cd (2.5 mg/kg), Cd + GSPE (100 mg/kg/day), and GSPE. Spermatogenesis and mean seminiferous tubule diameter were significantly decreased in the Cd groups. Furthermore, the GSPE-treated animals showed an improved histological appearance in the Cd group. The immunoreactivity of eNOS and the number of apoptotic cells were increased in Cd group. Our data indicate a significant reduction of terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated 2'-deoxyuridine 5'-triphosphate nick end-labeling staining and a decrease in the expression of eNOS in the testes tissue of the Cd group treated with GSPE therapy. Therefore, our results suggest that GSPE acts as a potent protective agent against Cd-induced testicular toxicity in rats.
Keywords:
Cadmium; apoptosis; eNOS; grape seed proanthocyanidin extract; testis.
© The Author(s) 2015.
MeSH terms
-
Animals
-
Antioxidants / adverse effects
-
Antioxidants / chemistry
-
Antioxidants / therapeutic use
-
Apoptosis*
-
Cadmium Poisoning / metabolism
-
Cadmium Poisoning / pathology
-
Cadmium Poisoning / physiopathology*
-
Dietary Supplements* / analysis
-
Grape Seed Extract / adverse effects
-
Grape Seed Extract / chemistry
-
Grape Seed Extract / therapeutic use*
-
Immunohistochemistry
-
In Situ Nick-End Labeling
-
Infertility, Male / etiology
-
Infertility, Male / prevention & control*
-
Male
-
Necrosis
-
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / antagonists & inhibitors
-
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / metabolism
-
Oxidative Stress
-
Proanthocyanidins / adverse effects
-
Proanthocyanidins / analysis
-
Proanthocyanidins / therapeutic use
-
Protective Agents / adverse effects
-
Protective Agents / chemistry
-
Protective Agents / therapeutic use*
-
Random Allocation
-
Rats, Wistar
-
Seminiferous Tubules / enzymology
-
Seminiferous Tubules / metabolism
-
Seminiferous Tubules / pathology
-
Spermatogenesis
-
Testis / enzymology
-
Testis / metabolism
-
Testis / pathology*
Substances
-
Antioxidants
-
Grape Seed Extract
-
Proanthocyanidins
-
Protective Agents
-
proanthocyanidin
-
Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
-
Nos3 protein, rat