Vitamin E prevents the toxic effect of benzo(a)pryene on reproductive system in male SD rats / 中南大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the protective effects and the potential mechanisms of vitamin E (VE) on benzo(a)pryene (B[a]P)-induced toxicity in the reproductive system of male rats. 
@*METHODS@#A total of 60 male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, weighted 70-90 g, were randomly assigned to 6 groups a control group, a vehicle group, a B[a]P group (5 mg/kg), a VE (10 mg/kg)+ B[a]P (5 mg/kg) group, a VE (50 mg/kg) + B[a]P (5 mg/kg) group and a VE (100 mg/kg)+B[a]P (5 mg/kg) group (n=10 per group). The rats were treated with B[a]P and/or VE once a day for 30 days via intragastric administration. The sperm quality and the levels of SOD, GSH-Px, 8-OHdG and MDA were detected, respectively. The testicular tissue morphology and DNA damage were observed by HE staining and comet assay.
@*RESULTS@#The sperm count, the rate of sperm deformation, the content of MDA and 8-OHdG were all significantly increased in single B[a]P-treated group in comparison to the control groups. The activities of SOD and GSH-Px were markedly decreased by B[a]P as compared with the control groups (P<0.05). The injury of testicular tissue in B[a]P-treated rats was remarkably improved after VE treatment. The levels of oxidative stress and DNA damage indicators in the B[a]P-treated group were all attenuated by VE. These protective effects of VE were in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05).
@*CONCLUSION@#Vitamin E can protect the male SD rats against the B[a]P-induced reproductive toxicity.