Ameliorative Effects of Zinc Oxide, in Either Conventional or Nanoformulation, Against Bisphenol A Toxicity on Reproductive Performance, Oxidative Status, Gene Expression and Histopathology in Adult Male Rats

• Published in: Biological trace element research Vol. 202; no. 5; pp. 2143 - 2157
• Main Authors: El-Kossi, Dina M. M. H., Ibrahim, Shawky S., Hassanin, Kamel M. A., Hamad, Nashwa, Rashed, Noha A., Abdel-Wahab, Ahmed
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01-05-2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Abnormalities; Albinism; Animals; Antioxidants; Antioxidants - metabolism; Apoptosis; BAX protein; Bcl-2 protein; bcl-2-Associated X Protein - metabolism; Benzhydryl Compounds; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Bisphenol A; Body organs; Cholesterol Side-Chain Cleavage Enzyme - metabolism; Epididymis; GA-binding protein; Gene Expression; Histopathology; Life Sciences; Male; Males; Malformations; Nanoparticles; Nutrition; Oncology; Oxidants; Oxidative Stress; Oxidizing agents; Phenols; Prostate; Rats; Reproduction; Reproductive organs; Semen - metabolism; Seminal vesicle; Serum; Serum levels; Sperm; Sperm Motility; Spermatogenesis; Spermatozoa; Testes; Testis; Testosterone; Thyroid hormones; Thyroxine; Toxicity; Triiodothyronine; Zinc; Zinc oxide; Zinc Oxide - toxicity; Zinc oxides; Testicular apoptosis; Bisphenol A; Zinc; Zinc oxide nanoparticles
• ISSN: 0163-4984; 1559-0720
• DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03830-w

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used endocrine disruptor that represents a significant risk to male reproductive function. Zinc (Zn) is vital for appropriate development of testes and to guarantee optimal testicular function and spermatogenesis. Our goal was to investigate if zinc oxide (ZnO), either in conventional or nanoformulation, could safeguard adult male rats’ reproductive performance against the damaging effects of BPA. Signaling expression of
CYP11A1
and
Nrf-2
in the testis, testicular oxidant-antioxidant status,
Bax/Bcl-2
apoptotic ratio, and histological examination of various reproductive organs were all evaluated. Twenty-eight adult male albino rats were divided randomly into 4 groups (7 animals each) including the control, BPA, conventional zinc oxide (cZnO) + BPA, and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) + BPA groups. The study was extended for 2 successive months. Our findings revealed strong negative effects of BPA on sperm cell characteristics such as sperm motility, viability, concentration and abnormalities. Additionally, BPA reduced serum levels of testosterone, triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4). Also, it evoked marked oxidative stress in the testes; elevating malondialdehyde (MDA) and reducing total antioxidant capacity (TAC). BPA significantly downregulated testicular mRNA relative expression levels of
CYP11A1
and
Nrf-2
, compared to control. Testicular apoptosis was also prompted by increasing
Bax/ Bcl-2
ratio in testicular tissue. Histopathological findings in the testes, epididymis, prostate gland, and seminal vesicle confirmed the detrimental effects of BPA. Interestingly, cZnO and ZnO-NPs significantly alleviated all negative effects of BPA, but ZnO-NPs performed better. In conclusion, our findings point to ZnO, specifically ZnO-NPs, as a viable treatment for BPA-induced testicular dysfunction.