title: Melatonin pretreatment attenuates 2-bromopropane-induced testicular toxicity in rats.
abstract: 2-Bromopropane (2-BP) was used as an alternative for ozone-depleting solvents, which caused reproductive disorders in male workers and laboratory animals. A recent study indicated that 2-BP impaired antioxidant cellular defences and enhanced lipid peroxidation (LPO). Melatonin is a powerful endogenous antioxidant. We hypothesized that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation are involved in 2-BP-induced testicular toxicities. To test the hypothesis, we investigated the effects of melatonin on 2-BP-induced testicular toxicities. Rats were intraperitoneally injected with 2-BP (1g/kg) with or without melatonin (5mg/kg), then sacrificed on 7th day after 2-BP injection. Epididymal and testicular tissues were examined for biochemical and histopathological changes. Apoptotic cells in testis were detected by TUNEL staining and immunohistochemistry for active caspase-3. Exposure to 2-BP significantly decreased epididymal sperm count and morphological normal sperms. 2-BP also induced vacuolation and atrophy of the seminiferous tubules, reduction of spermatogonia and apoptosis of germ cells. 2-BP significantly increased TBARS levels in plasma and epididymis, and decreased GSH content in testis and epididymis. Pretreatment with melatonin counteracted 2-BP-induced oxidative stress, ameliorated apoptosis in testis and attenuated histopathological damage in testis. In addition, pretreatment with melatonin significantly attenuated 2-BP-induced sperm morphological changes. We conclude that pretreatment with melatonin attenuates 2-BP-induced testicular toxicity through its ROS scavenging and anti-apoptotic effects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Anhui Medical University, Meishan Road 81, Hefei 230032, China.
authors.forename: Fen
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Huan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ning
authors.forename: Qian-Qian
authors.initials: QQ
authors.lastname: Xin
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zhi-Hua
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: De-Xiang
authors.initials: DX
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Gaku
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ichihara
authors.forename: Dong-Qing
authors.initials: DQ
authors.lastname: Ye
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D004822:Epididymis / Q000473:pathology; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D005982:Glutathione Transferase / Q000378:metabolism; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000633:toxicity*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008550:Melatonin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012997:Solvents / Q000633:toxicity*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013737:Testis / Q000473:pathology; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012997:Solvents; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D005982:Glutathione Transferase; D005978:Glutathione; D008550:Melatonin; C103736:2-bromopropane