Differential expression of androgen and estrogen receptors in PCB (Aroclor 1254)-exposed rat ventral prostate: Impact of alpha-tocopherol

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are environmental toxicants, which affect male fertility by altering the androgen and estrogen levels. PCB-induced toxic manifestations are associated with the production of reactive oxygen species. Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) is a major lipophilic chain breaking antioxidant, which protects polyunsaturated fatty acids in tissues against peroxidation, a property that could be beneficial in the male reproductive biology. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of α-tocopherol on PCB (Aroclor 1254)-induced changes in androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptors (ERs) expression in Wistar rat ventral prostate. Rats were divided into 3 groups of 6 animals each. Group I rats were administered corn oil (vehicle) intraperitoneally (i.p.); Group II rats were treated with 2 mg kg^?1 day^?1 of PCB (i.p.); Group III rats were treated with 2 mg kg^?1 day^?1 of PCB (i.p.) along with simultaneous oral supplementation of 50 mg kg^?1 day^?1 of α-tocopherol. Serum testosterone and estradiol titers were assayed. Prostatic acid phosphatase activity (PAcP), citric acid concentration, generation of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and lipid peroxides (LPO) were estimated. mRNA and protein expression of AR, ER-α and ER-β in ventral prostate were quantified. Serum testosterone, estradiol, PAcP, citric acid levels, AR and ER-α expressions were significantly decreased while H₂O₂ generation, LPO, ER-β were increased in PCB-exposed animals. Simultaneous supplementation of α-tocopherol in PCB-exposed rats resulted in significant restoration of all the parameters to the control. The results suggest that α-tocopherol has definite protective effect against PCB-induced toxicity in ventral prostatic dysfunction.