RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Humans are directly/indirectly exposed to hazardous chemicals from the aquatic environment. We investigated the protection of the Launea taraxacifolia methanolic extract (LTME) on the hydroxyl steroid dehydrogenases [(∆5-3ß-hydroxyl steroid dehydrogenase (∆5-3ß-HSD) and the ∆5-17ß-hydroxyl steroid dehydrogenase (∆5-17ß-HSD), testicular 5'-nucleotidase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)] activities as well as the key indicators of oxidative stress in germinal epithelial cells of rats induced with surulere polluted river water (SPRW). METHODS: The animals were divided into six groups (n=8). Group I was given 1 mL of distilled water only, Group II received 1 mL of SPRW only, Group III received 200 mg/kg LTME before+1 mL of SPRW after, Group IV received 200 mg/kg LTME+1 mL of SPRW, Group V received 1 mL of SPRW before+200 mg/kg LTME after and Group VI received 200 mg/kg LTME only. The treatment was done via oral administration for 28 days. RESULTS: The HPLC results showed the abundance of quercetin and quercitrin. The SPRW increased 5'-nucleotidase with the concomitant decrease of ∆5-3ß-HSD, ∆5-17ß-HSD and LDH activities in rats exposed in relation to the control. Similarly, the administration of the SPRW caused a systemic oxidative damage along with adverse histopathological changes in germinal epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Interestingly, these alterations were differentially reversed by LTME via the elevation of steroidogenic enzymes and cellular ATP.
