title: Effect of beta-carotene on titanium oxide nanoparticles-induced testicular toxicity in mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the protective effect of beta-carotene (BC) on titanium oxide nanoparticle (TNP) induced spermatogenesis defects in mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two NMRI mice were randomly divided into four groups. BC group received 10 mg/kg of BC for 35 days. TNP group received 300 mg/kg TNP for 35 days. TNP+BC group initially received 10 mg/kg BC for 10 days and was followed by concomitant administration of 300 mg/kg TNP for 35 days. Control group received only normal saline for 35 days. Epididymal sperm parameters, testicular histopathology, spermatogenesis assessments and testosterone assay were performed for evaluation of the TNP and BC effects on testis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum testosterone levels were markedly decreased in TNP-intoxicated mice. Epididymal sperm parameters including sperm number, motility and percentage of abnormality were significantly changed in TNP-intoxicated mice (p < 0.01). Histopathological criteria such as epithelial vacuolization, sloughing of germ cells and detachment were significantly increased in TNP-intoxicated mice (p < 0.001). BC+TNP treatment significantly prevented these changes (p < 0.05). BC also significantly elevates testosterone levels in BC+TNP group compared to TNP-treated mice (p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study demonstrated that BC improved the spermatogenesis defects in TNP-treated mice. BC had a potent protective effect against the testicular toxicity and might be clinically useful.
authors: Cell & Molecular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, P. O. Box: 61335, Ahvaz, Iran.
authors: Mahmoud
authors: M
authors: Orazizadeh
authors: Layasadat
authors: L
authors: Khorsandi
authors: Forouzan
authors: F
authors: Absalan
authors: Mahmoud
authors: M
authors: Hashemitabar
authors: Erfan
authors: E
authors: Daneshi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008297:Male; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000633:toxicity*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D014025:Titanium / Q000633:toxicity*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D020011:Protective Agents; D019207:beta Carotene; C009495:titanium dioxide; D013739:Testosterone; D014025:Titanium