Pro-oxidant effect of vitamin C coadministration with bisphenol A, nonylphenol, and octylphenol on the reproductive tract of male rats

Abstract

This study was performed to investigate whether bisphenol A (BPA), nonylphenol (NP), and octylphenol (OP) induce oxidative stress on the reproductive tract of male rats and if coadministration of vitamin C can prevent any possible oxidative stress. Wistar male rats were divided into seven groups as control (vehicle; olive oil), BPA, NP, OP, BPA+C, NP+C, and OP+C. BPA, OP, and NP groups (25 mg/kg/day) were administered orally to rats three times a week for 45 days. In BPA+C, NP+C, and OP+C groups, vitamin C (60 mg/kg/day) was administered orally along with BPA, OP, and NP (25 mg/kg/day) treatments. Malondialdehyde (MDA) appeared at significantly higher concentrations in BPA-, NP-, and OP-treated groups, when compared to control group. No significant decrease was observed in testes MDA levels of vitamin C coadministrated groups, compared with BPA, NP, and OP treatment groups. Decreased levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) were found in testes of BPA-, NP-, OP-treated rats. No significant increase was observed in testes GSH levels of BPA+C, NP+C, and OP+C groups, compared with BPA, NP, and OP treatment groups. Histological examination showed that vitamin C coadministrated groups had much more congestion areas, atrophy, and germinal cell debris in testes than those observed in other groups. Abnormal sperm percentages of BPA, BPA+C, NP+C, and OP+C groups were increased. In conclusion, the present results demonstrated that BPA, NP, and OP generate reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative damage in testes of rats. Coadministration of vitamin C aggravates this damage.

Bisphenol A Induces Hepatotoxicity through Oxidative Stress in Rat Model

“…Korkmaz et al [5] showed an increase in TBARS level in liver of rats exposed to BPA. Similarly, previous studies show increased in the TBARS levels in the brain, testes, and kidneys of male rats exposed to BPA dose [5, 31, 32]. The increase in GSH level is important for GSHPx, which requires GSH as a cofactor, and the elevation in GSH level increases activity of GSHPx.…”

“…Similarly, in other organs ROS were induced when BPA was administered during the embryonic and infancy [11, 14, 30]. Similarly, others demonstrated that BPA generates ROS that causes oxidative damage in the brain, reproductive tract, and kidney of rats [5, 31, 32]. …”

Influence of bisphenol A on spermatological parameters of New Zealand White Rabbits

“…This can typically be a result of increased lipid peroxidation due to oxidative stress. Moreover, BPA stimulates the generation of MDA in testis tissues (5) and testicular MDA concentrations were also altered due to BPA treatment in our study. The increase in MDA levels in the testicular tissue because of BPA exposure could be due to the production of more ROS and therefore, oxidative stress than normal as a result of BPA (42).…”

Genotoxicity and reproductive toxicity of bisphenol A and X-ray/bisphenol A combination in male mice

“…As Aikawa et al (2004) reported, deterioration of sperm motility and morphology caused by exposure to BPA was reduced by the administration of 1,000 IU of retinol acetate. Chitra et al (2003b) noted that coadministration with vitamin C had a protective effect against BPA-induced toxicity in epididymides and spleen of rats, whereas Aydogan et al (2010) did not find significant changes in sperm count and morphology after such exposure.…”