A characterization of the antioxidant enzyme activity and reproductive toxicity in male rats following sub-chronic exposure to areca nut extracts.
In the present study, areca nut extracts (ANE) administered to male rats by gavage at a dose of 100mg/kg/day for a period of 15, 30, or 45 days resulted in signs of reproductive toxicity. ANE administration resulted in a significant decline (30-57% in epididymal sperm count and 27-61% in sperm motility) as well as substantial abnormalities in sperm morphology. Significant variances in activities of antioxidant enzymes were also observed. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, which represent the level of lipid peroxidation, increased by 16-188% and levels of sialic acid decreased by 2-46% compared with that in controls. These results indicate that ANE induced spermatogenic damage, as indicated by a decrease in sperm counts and sperm motility as well as the activity of antioxidant enzymes, an increase in sperm abnormalities, and alterations in sialic acid and MDA levels. Such effects reflect that ANE administration resulted in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced oxidative stress in the testis, cauda epididymis, and sperm of male rats.
Wu
Pei-Fen
PF
Department of Occupational Safety and Hygiene, Tajen University, Pingtung, Taiwan.
Chiang
Tai-An
TA
Chen
Min-Tzu
MT
Lee
Chi-Pin
CP
Chen
Ping-Ho
PH
Ko
Albert Min-Shan
AM
Yang
Kai-Jen
KJ
Chang
Po-Ya
PY
Ke
Der-Shin
DS
Ko
Ying-Chin
YC
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000737:chemistry*; D001114:Areca / Q000633:toxicity*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004822:Epididymis / Q000166:cytology; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000737:chemistry; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012794:Sialic Acids; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase