Protective effect of selenium on nicotine-induced testicular toxicity in rats.
Effect of exogenous selenium at a dose of 10 mug/kg body weight on the testicular toxicity induced by nicotine in rats was investigated. Male albino rats were maintained for 60 days as follows: (1) control group (normal diet), (2) nicotine group (0.6 mg /kg body weight), (3) selenium (10 microg/kg body weight), and (4) nicotine (0.6 mg/kg body weight) + selenium (10 microg/ kg body weight). Administration of nicotine caused reduction in sperm count and sperm motility. Activity of HMG CoA reductase and concentration of cholesterol were increased in the testes of the nicotine administered group. Activities of testicular enzymes 3beta hydroxysteroid dehyrogenase (3 betaHSD), 17beta hydroxysteroid dehyrogenase (17 betaHSD) were decreased. Levels of testosterone in the serum were also reduced. However, the extent of these alterations was lesser in the group administered with nicotine along with selenium. Analysis of plasma revealed reduced quantity of cotinine in the group co-administered with nicotine along with selenium in comparison with the nicotine group. Nondetectable levels of nicotine were present in the co-administered group. This indicates altered metabolism of nicotine when administered along with selenium.
Seema
P
P
Department of Biochemistry, University of Kerala, Kariavattom, Trivandrum 695581, India.
Swathy
S S
SS
Indira
M
M
D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009538:Nicotine / Q000633:toxicity*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D013739:Testosterone; D009538:Nicotine; D015067:17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; D006903:Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases; D012643:Selenium