Low-dose heavy metal mixture (lead,cadmium and mercury)-induced testicular injury and protective effect of zinc and Costus afer in wistar albino rats |
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| Authors: | Brilliance O. Anyanwu Anthonet N. Ezejiofor Ify L. Nwaogazie Onyewuchi Akaranta Orish E. Orisakwe |
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| Affiliation: | 1. African Centre of Excellence for Oilfield Chemicals Research (ACE-CEFOR), University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria;2. African Centre of Excellence for Public Health and Toxicological Research (ACE-PUTOR), University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Choba, Nigeria |
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| Abstract: | The study evaluated the protective effect of Costus afer on low-dose heavy metal mixture (LDHMM)-mediated effects in the testis of albino rats. The weight-matched animals were divided into six groups: normal control, metal mixture of (PbCl2 + CdCl2 + HgCl2), combination of metal mixture + Costus afer at 750 mg/kg, combination of metal mixture + Costus afer at 1,500 mg/kg, combination of metal mixture + Costus afer at 2,250 mg/kg and combination of metal mixture + (ZnCl2). LDHMM reduced (p < .05) the antioxidant biomarkers (superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase, CAT; and glutathione, GSH) and increased (p < .05) the lipid peroxidation marker (malondialdehyde, MDA) and lead, cadmium and mercury concentrations in the testis. Treatment with LDHMM increased (p < .05) abnormal sperm morphology and plasma prolactin (PRL) level and decreased epididymal sperm count, viability, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinising hormone (LH) and testosterone. LDHMM exposure caused deleterious changes in the testis. Treatment of rats with Costus afer (750, 1,500 and 2,250 mg/kg) dose-dependently reduced (p < .05) the LDHMM-mediated toxicity. Treatment with Costus afer also reversed the testicular weight and LDHMM decrease in antioxidant biomarkers. Costus afer may be a defensive modulator of LDHMM-mediated testicular lesions. |
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| Keywords: | Costus afer heavy metal mixture inflammation oxidative stress spermatozoa testis |
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