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Effects of N-Acetylcysteine Supplementation on Oxidative Stress and Expression of Apoptosis-Related Genes in Testicular Tissue of Rats Exposed to Lead

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Abstract

Background

Lead occupational exposure is now a main concern in the modern world. Lead is a non-biodegradable element with multi-devastating effects on different organs. Acute or chronic exposure to lead is reported to be one of the most important causes of infertility both in males and females basically by inducing oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Objectives

The current study scrutinized the mitigating effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on lead toxicity, oxidative stress, and apoptotic/anti-apoptotic genes in the testis tissues of male rats.

Methods

Rats were randomly divided into a control group (G1) and four study groups treated with single and continuous doses of lead with and without NAC administration. Malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were analyzed as oxidative stress biomarkers and the expression of apoptosis-related genes was studied using RT-PCR.

Results

Continuous exposure to lead caused a significant decrease in sperm count, motility, viability, and morphology (P < 0.001). Number of germinal cells, Leydig cells, spermatocytes, and the diameter of seminiferous tubule were significantly decreased (P < 0.001) in G3 group. Continuous exposure to lead significantly decreased TAC content, but increased the levels of MDA and 8-OHdG (P < 0.001). Administration of continuous dose of lead dramatically increased expression of Bax, Caspase-3, Caspase-8, Cytochrome-C, MMP2, and MMP9 genes in testicular tissue. NAC treatments not only improved morphological changes and sperm quality, but also enhanced antioxidant balance and modulated apoptosis process in testicular tissue of rats.

Conclusion

Lead exposure strongly motivated testicular cells towards apoptosis, caused an oxidant/antioxidant imbalance, and decreased sperm quality along with morphological changes in testis cells. NAC treatments was associated with protective effects on testicular tissue mainly by rebalancing of the antioxidants capacity, as well as downregulation of apoptosis-related genes.

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Acknowledgements

This work is part of PhD thesis which is performed at Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran (162373285). We would like to express our special thanks of gratitude to all the staff and members who helped us through this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran

    Fahimeh Abedini Bajgiran & Ali Salehzadeh

  2. Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tonekabon Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tonekabon, Iran

    Zeinab Khazaei Koohpar

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  1. Fahimeh Abedini Bajgiran
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Correspondence to Zeinab Khazaei Koohpar.

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Abedini Bajgiran, F., Khazaei Koohpar, Z. & Salehzadeh, A. Effects of N-Acetylcysteine Supplementation on Oxidative Stress and Expression of Apoptosis-Related Genes in Testicular Tissue of Rats Exposed to Lead. Biol Trace Elem Res 201, 2407–2415 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-022-03325-0

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