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The Effectiveness of Time in Treatment with Vitamin C and Broccoli Extract on Cadmium Poisoning in Mice: Histological Changes of Testicular Tissue and Cell Apoptotic Index

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Abstract

The growth rate of reproductive system disorders caused by heavy metals is undeniable. The effect of time and interfering compounds are also of paramount importance. The main objective of this study was to compare the effects of broccoli extract and vitamin C in the context of cadmium poisoning on various reproductive parameters in mice, with a specific focus on the influence of time. A total of one hundred and forty-four male mice were randomly assigned to six groups. The control (C) group received only water and a standard diet without any interventions. The Cd group received a single intraperitoneal dose of cadmium chloride at 1.5 mg/kg. The cadmium intervention groups were administered broccoli extract at dosages of 100 mg/kg (Cd + B100), 200 mg/kg (Cd + B200), and 300 mg/kg (Cd + B300), respectively. Additionally, the Cd + VC group was treated with cadmium and vitamin C at 200 mg/kg intraperitoneally for a duration of 28 days. At the end of each week (four stages), five animals were randomly chosen from each group. Epididymal sperm were subjected to analysis for sperm parameters, while testicular tissue sections were examined for histological studies, apoptosis index, and markers of oxidative stress. The influence of time on body and testis weight gain was notably significant in the Cd + B300 and Cd + VC groups (p = 0.001). In all groups, except for Cd + B100, there were marked increases in spermatogenic cell lines and the Johnson coefficient compared to the Cd group (p = 0.001). These changes were particularly pronounced in the Cd + VC and Cd + B300 groups with respect to time (p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a discernible positive impact of time on sperm count in the high-dose broccoli and vitamin C groups, although this effect did not reach significance in terms of sperm motility and vitality. Over time, the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes increased, while malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased in the Cd + VC, Cd + B200, and Cd + B300 groups (p = 0.001). The apoptosis index in testicular tissue reached its highest level in the Cd group and its lowest level in the Cd + B300 and Cd + VC groups during the fourth week (p < 0.05). Linolenic acid, indole, and sulforaphane were identified as the most potent compounds in broccoli during this intervention. Consequently, vitamin C and broccoli extract at a dosage of 300 mg/kg demonstrated significant enhancements in reproductive performance in cases of cadmium poisoning. Overall, the influence of time significantly amplified the process of spermatogenesis and sperm production, with no observable changes in sperm viability and motility.

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Data Availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to sincerely appreciate the Research Vice-Chancellor at the Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj Branch, for his collaboration to facilitate research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Basic Sciences, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran

    Mahdieh Raeeszadeh & Ali Akbar Amiri

  2. Graduate of Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Sanandaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran

    Midia Moradian & Nadia Khademi

Authors
  1. Mahdieh Raeeszadeh
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  2. Midia Moradian
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  3. Nadia Khademi
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  4. Ali Akbar Amiri
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Contributions

Conceptualization; Data curation; Formal analysis; Investigation; Methodology; Project administration; M. R, M.M, Software; Supervision; Validation; Visualization; M. R, Writing—original draft; M. R and N.Kh, AA.A; Writing—review & editing; M. R, N.Kh.

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Correspondence to Mahdieh Raeeszadeh.

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Ethical Approval

All steps of the experimental study were followed through the international ethical rules, principles of maintenance, and work with laboratory animals and were approved by the ethics committee of Islamic Azad University of Sanandaj with IR.IAU.SDJ.REC.1400.073.

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Highlights

• The impact of cadmium-containing compounds on the reproductive system is severe.

• The effect of time and antioxidant levels in improving cadmium damage is significant.

• Sulforaphane and indole are two active components found in broccoli extract.

• High doses of broccoli extract effectively increased spermatogenic cell counts and decreased the apoptosis index.

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Raeeszadeh, M., Moradian, M., Khademi, N. et al. The Effectiveness of Time in Treatment with Vitamin C and Broccoli Extract on Cadmium Poisoning in Mice: Histological Changes of Testicular Tissue and Cell Apoptotic Index. Biol Trace Elem Res (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-023-03898-4

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