https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9089-7610
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ABSTRACT
Background:
Acrylamide is a toxic substance formed in some foods that require high-temperature cooking processes and has been implicated as a gonadotoxic agent. Zinc, on the other hand, is a known antioxidant with fertility-enhancing properties. Hence, this study was designed to explore the possible ameliorative effect of zinc in acrylamide-induced gonadotoxicity.
Methods:
Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomized into control, acrylamide (10 mg/kg of acrylamide), acrylamide + 1 mg/kg of zinc, and acrylamide + 3 mg/kg of zinc. The administration was via the oral route and lasted for 56 days.
Results:
Zinc treatment ameliorated acrylamide-impaired sperm quality, normal testicular histoarchitecture, and hormonal balance, which was accompanied by increased testicular malondialdehyde and interleukin-1β and decreased testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Furthermore, zinc prevented acrylamide-induced downregulation of testicular nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCl2) expression and upregulation of testicular nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and bcl-2-like protein 4 (bax) expression.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, zinc may protect against acrylamide-induced testicular toxicity, mediated by its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic effects.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Ethical consideration
The experimental protocol, with the reference number EKSU/P100/2022/11/022, was granted approval by the Ekiti State University Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences’ Ethics and Research Committee in compliance with the National Research Council's recommendations for the care and use of laboratory animals. When caring for the animals, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) protocols for Laboratory Animal Care were meticulously followed, as were the ARRIVE procedures for reporting study findings.
Data availability statement
The materials for the manuscript, including any relevant raw data, will be freely made available by the corresponding author (Odetayo Adeyemi Fatai) to any researcher who needs them for non-commercial study while protecting participant confidentiality.