Protective effects of grape seed extract on cadmium-induced testicular damage, apoptosis, and endothelial nitric oxide synthases expression in rats

Toxicol Ind Health. 2016 Aug;32(8):1486-1494. doi: 10.1177/0748233714566874. Epub 2015 Jan 22.

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.

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