Influence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and/or cadmium chloride oral exposure on testicular morphology, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in rats: Ameliorative role of co-enzyme Q10

Amany Behairy; Mohamed M M Hashem; Khaled Abo-El-Sooud; Ahmed M Soliman; Samar M Mouneir; Abeer E El-Metwally; Sameh H Ismail; Bayan A Hassan; Yasmina M Abd-Elhakim

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24049

Influence of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and/or cadmium chloride oral exposure on testicular morphology, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in rats: Ameliorative role of co-enzyme Q10

Heliyon. 2024 Jan 3;10(1):e24049. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24049. eCollection 2024 Jan 15.

Authors

Amany Behairy¹, Mohamed M M Hashem², Khaled Abo-El-Sooud², Ahmed M Soliman², Samar M Mouneir², Abeer E El-Metwally³, Sameh H Ismail⁴, Bayan A Hassan⁵, Yasmina M Abd-Elhakim⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt.
² Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12613, Egypt.
³ Pathology Department, Animal Reproduction Research Institute, Giza 3514805, Egypt.
⁴ Faculty of Nanotechnology for Postgraduate Studies, Cairo University, Sheikh Zayed Campus, 6th October City, Giza, 12588, Egypt.
⁵ Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Future University, Cairo 11835, Egypt.
⁶ Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig 44519, Egypt.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Little is known about the implications of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs) and cadmium chloride (Cd) co-exposure on the male reproductive system in mammals. As a result, this study researched the effects of oral TiO₂NPs and/or Cd exposure on male reproduction and testicular functions. Additionally, a mitigation trial with co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has also been conducted.

Methods: In a 60-day experiment, seven experimental groups, each containing 10 male Sprague Dawley rats, were orally given distilled water (control), corn oil (vehicle control), CoQ10 (10 mg/kg b.wt), TiO₂NPs (50 mg/kg b.wt), Cd (5 mg/kg b.wt), TiO₂NPs + Cd, and TiO₂NPs + Cd + CoQ10. Then, sperm quality, male sex hormones, oxidative stress indications, Ti and Cd testicular residues, testes and accessory gland architecture, and apoptotic and inflammatory markers in rat testes were assessed.

Results: TiO₂NPs and/or Cd exposure negatively impacted body weight, weight gain, testicular weights, semen quality, serum reproductive hormones, oxidative stress parameters, and Caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) immunoreactions. Histopathological changes were recorded in testicular, seminal vesicle, and prostatic tissues. Yet, co-administration of CoQ10 with TiO₂NPs and Cd substantially mitigated these adverse consequences. The most notable aspect is that it effectively lowered testicular tissue Ti and Cd levels. It also improved oxidant status, hormonal profile, and sperm picture. CoQ10 minimized the testicular damage implied by histological examination. Furthermore, CoQ10 significantly diminished TiO₂NPs and Cd-induced Caspase-3 and TNF-α immunoexpression in testicular tissue.

Conclusion: As a result, CoQ10 could be utilized as a safe remedy to protect male reproductive physiology from TiO₂NPs and Cd damage.

Keywords: Cadmium chloride; Caspase-3; Co-enzyme Q10; Oxidative stress; Testis; Titanium dioxide nanoparticles; Tumor necrotic factor α.