Histoprotective effects of Curcumin on Bisphenol- A induced testicular toxicity in adult albino rats.

Abstract

Endocrine Disrupting chemicals including bisphenols have contaminated the environment significantly and is known to damage spermatogenesis via increase in oxidative stress. The anti-oxidant properties of naturally occurring substances like curcumin have been well established. Objectives: To evaluate the protective effects of curcumin against bisphenol-A induced testicular damage. Study Design: Experimental Study. Setting: Department of Anatomy, University of Health Sciences, Lahore. Period: From March 2015 to December 2015. Material & Methods: Thirty six rats were divided into four groups A, B, C and D of 9 animals each. Group A (control) was given 5ml/kg/day of corn oil orally for 10 days. Group B (Bisphenol-A) was given 100mg/kg/day of Bisphenol-A dissolved in corn oil orally for 10 days. Group C (recovery) was given 100mg/kg/day of BPA dissolved in corn oil orally for 10 days and left untreated for 10 days. Group D (Curcumin + BPA) was given 100mg/kg/day of BPA and 100mg/kg/day of Curcumin, dissolved in corn oil orally for 10 days. Rats of group A, B and D were sacrificed on day 11 and those of group C on day 21. After weighing the euthanized rats, testes were removed, processed and tissue sections were stained with H&E for Johnson scoring and with PAS stain for assessment of basement membrane integrity. Results: Bisphenol-A administration caused a significant decrease in weight of animals, a significantly low Johnson score of seminiferous tubules and high frequency of disrupted basement membranes of the tubules in Group B as compared to control. The weight gain of animals improved in the with-drawl group C while no self-recovery was observed in other parameters. Curcumin co-administration improved the body weight gain of animals, increased the Johnson scoring of tubules significantly and partially restored the basement membrane integrity in group D, comparable to the control group. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that co-administration of a potent antioxidant curcumin causes a significant antagonism of the histo-toxicity of testis produced by Bisphenol-A in albino rats.