Subacute exposure to aluminum chloride causes prolonged morphological insults in the ventral male prostate and in the female prostate of adult gerbils

Abstract

Aluminum (Al) is a widespread metal in the environment, and is found in fresh or processed foods, household utensils, packaging, and medicines. In addition to its high toxicity, Al can also have estrogenic agonistic effects on target organs. Considering that the Al effects on the prostate are little known, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of aluminum chloride (AlCl 3 ) subacute exposure on the morphophysiology of the male ventral prostate and the female prostate of adult gerbils. Furthermore, the glandular restoration capacity in face of the Al insults was evaluated in gerbils that were submitted to 30 days of recovery. Male and female gerbils were orally exposed to AlCl 3 (10 mg/kg) for 30 consecutive days. The animals were euthanized 1 day (Al1D) or 30 days (Al30D) after the end of treatment. Prostates were dissected out and processed for structural, ultrastructural and immunohistochemical analyses. Male ventral prostates and female prostates of the Al1D group showed increased cell proliferation, glandular hyperplasia, increased secretory activity and greater androgen receptor immunoreactivity. In males, Al withdrawal (Al30D) allowed a partial recovery of the prostate, as the glandular secretory activity, and frequency of androgen receptor positive cells were similar to the control group. In females, the recuperation interval (Al30D) was not enough to restore the prostatic morphology, since the gland remained hyperplastic, proliferative, and with greater androgen and estrogen receptor immunoreactivity. These data alert to the importance of avoiding Al exposure, since this metal can have a harmful and prolonged action on the prostate.

Effect of Sempervivum tectorum Extract on Some Biomarkers of Reproductive Function and Levels of Some Trace Elements in Male Rats Exposed to Aluminum

“…The present study's histological assessments consistently revealed adverse impacts on the reproductive system in the testis, epididymis, and prostate. For instance, da Silva Lima et al [12] documented disruptions in part of the seminiferous tubules within the testes, epithelial hyperplasia, and the accumulation of lipofuscin granules in secretory luminal cells within the prostate of gerbils treated with 10 mg/kg.BW AlCl3 for 30 days. Interestingly, these specific effects were not observed in our study with rats exposed to 1 mg/L Al.…”

“…While initial studies on aluminum suggested potential biological significance, over the last two decades, numerous studies have contradicted this notion. Recent research has consistently demonstrated the lack of bio-utility of this metal, emphasizing its association with adverse effects on various target organs, including the kidneys [4], brain [5,6], and the male and female reproductive systems [3,[7][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”

The Effect of Sempervivum tectorum Extract on Some Biomarkers of Reproductive Function and Levels of Some Trace Elements in Male Rats Exposed to Aluminum

“…Present study's histological assessments consistently revealed adverse impacts on the reproductive system in the testis, epididymis, and prostate. For instance, da Silva Lima et al [12] documented disruptions in part of the seminiferous tubules within the testes, epithelial hyperplasia, and the accumulation of lipofuscin granules in secretory luminal cells within the prostate of gerbils treated with 10 mg/kg.BW AlCl3 for 30 days. Interestingly, these specific effects were not observed in our study with rats exposed to 1 mg/L Al.…”

Neonatal exposure to aluminum chloride predisposes adult and senile gerbils to the prostatic hyperplasia

“…In this context, a recent study by our research group showed that Al neonatal exposure impaired the prostate development pattern in 15‐day‐old gerbils (Gomes et al, 2020). Furthermore, Al subacute exposure during adulthood also caused tissue insult and oxidative stress in the prostate of male and female gerbils (Silva Lima et al, 2020, 2022). However, it is not known whether the morphological damage caused by Al in neonates is permanent and persists during adult and senile life.…”