Effects of Thymoquinone or Capsaicin against Acrylamide-Induced
Testicular Failure in Rats: Impact Oxidative Stress, NF-Κb/P65, and
Occludin
Abstract
Endocrine disrupting effects have become a major issue in the field of
environmental toxicology. Due to the testicular toxicity reported for
acrylamide and confirmed in our study, and the double jeopardy with its
well-documented carcinogenicity following leaching out from overcooked
starchy foods, the current study was extended to address the possible
protective effects of two nutraceuticals. The present study was designed
to assess the possible reproductive toxicity of acrylamide in adult male
Swiss albino rats. Also, the work was extended to investigate the
potential protective effects of two nutraceuticals namely; thymoquinone
(TQ) and capsaicin against acrylamide-induced reproductive toxicity.
Sixty male albino rats were allotted into six groups. Group 1: Rats
received free tap water and served as control group. Group 2: Rats
received acrylamide in a daily dose and served as the model. Group 3:
Rats were administered TQ twice weekly. Group 4: Rats were administered
capsaicin once daily. Group 5: Rats challenged with acrylamide were
administered TQ twice weekly. Group 6: Rats challenged with acrylamide
were administered capsaicin once daily. A murine model of acrylamide
testicular toxicity was reproduced and was characterized biochemically,
morphologically and histologically. Acrylamide increased oxidative
stress, expression of testicular NF-κB/p65, in addition down regulated
the expression of occludin that may further account for its testicular
toxicity. Both nutraceuticals; TQ and capsaicin have proven more or less
efficacy in ameliorating all the toxic insults exerted by acrylamide in
the current reproductive toxicity model. Key words: Testicular failure;
Thymoquinone; Capsaicin; Acrylamide; NF-ΚB/P65; Occludin