Possible mechanisms of acrylamide- induced hormonal imbalance in adult male rats

ABSTRACT

The current study aimed to investigate the possible mechanisms by which acrylamide affects vital endocrine glands in an experimental rat model. Thirty adult Sprague Dawley male rats were divided into three experimental groups, group [1] as control; group [2] where rats were orally administered acrylamide in a dose of 5 mg/kg b. wt. daily for 12 weeks; group [3] where rats were orally administered acrylamide in a dose of 15 mg/kg b. wt. daily for 12 weeks. Plasma was analyzed for malondialdehyde [MDA], total antioxidant capacity, total and free testosterone, T[3], T[4] and corticosterone levels. Histopathological examinations of testis, thyroid gland and adrenal gland were carried out. Our results indicate that acrylamide administration significantly increases plasma lipid peroxidation with concomitant decrease in total antioxidant capacity, total and free testosterone, T[3], T[4] and corticosterone levels. These results were documented by histopathological investigations of the testis, thyroid and adrenal tissues. We conclude that acrylamide causes hormonal disturbance in experimental animals via inducing oxidative and destruction stress on vital endocrine glands which presents a potential hazards to humans