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Indigofera oblongifolia Ameliorates Lead Acetate-Induced Testicular Oxidative Damage and Apoptosis in a Rat Model

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Abstract

Lead (Pb) enhances the production of reactive oxygen species and depletes the antioxidant molecules that cause tissue damage. In the current study, we investigated the protective effect of Indigofera oblongifolia (hasr in Arabic) against lead acetate-induced reproductive toxicity in rats. Exposure of rats to lead acetate (PbAc; 20 mg/kg body weight; intraperitoneal injection) induced a significant change in both of body weight loss and the relative testis weight. Furthermore, a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide and a marked depletion of glutathione were evident in the testis of the PbAc group compared to the control group. Also, PbAc significantly reduced the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Pre-administration of I. oblongifolia leaves extract (IOLE; 100 mg/kg body weight) to the PbAc-treated rats restored most of the parameters mentioned above to near-normal levels. Additionally, pretreatment of animals with IOLE accompanied with a significant decrease in the toxic effects of PbAc as shown by caspase-3 and Bax expressions and prevented the histological injury in the testis. On the basis of the above results, I. oblongifolia appeared to be a promising agent for protection against lead-induced oxidative damage and apoptosis in the testis of rat.

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Acknowledgments

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for funding the work through the research group project no. RGP-198.

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Correspondence to Ahmed E. Abdel Moneim.

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In all experiments, we followed the European Community Directive (86/609/EEC) and national rules on animal care that were carried out in accordance with the NIH Guidelines for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals 8th edition. This was approved by the committee of the Zoology and Entomology department, Helwan University, Egypt.

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Dkhil, M.A., Moneim, A.E.A. & Al-Quraishy, S. Indigofera oblongifolia Ameliorates Lead Acetate-Induced Testicular Oxidative Damage and Apoptosis in a Rat Model. Biol Trace Elem Res 173, 354–361 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-016-0689-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-016-0689-0

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