Protective effect of green tea extract against cadmium-induced testicular damage in rats in respect of oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium and androgen production

Abstract

Objective: Investigating the effect of green tea extract (GTE) on the testicular damage induced by cadmium chloride CdCl₂ in male rats.

Design: Randomized controlled study.

Animals: 40 male Wistar rats.

Procedures: Rats were randomly divided into four groups: A) control group (each rat daily received pellet diet); B) GTE group each rat daily received pellet diet as well as 3 ml of 1.5 % w/v GTE, C) CdCl₂ group each rat was I/P injected a single dose of 1 mg/kg CdCl₂, then daily received pellet diet, and D) CdCl₂+GTE group each rat was I/P injected a single dose of 1 mg/kg CdCl₂ then daily received pellet diet as well as 3 ml of 1.5 % w/v GTE. After 30 days, blood samples were collected for hormonal assays (testosterone, FSH, and LH). In addition, both testes were collected; one of them was used for quantification of 17-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase III (17β-HSDIII) gene expression using a real-time PCR. The other testis was used for determination of catalase and reduced glutathione; GSH, Nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels.

Results: CdCl₂ decreased serum testosterone levels and its synthesis pathway (17β-HSDIII testicular gene expression). While antioxidants catalase and GSH were reduced, oxidants MDA were enriched in the testes of CdCl₂-poisoned rats. This CdCl₂-promoted testicular dysfunction was corrected via the administration of GTE to male rats.

Conclusion and clinical relevance: GTE could be used as a remedy for protecting against CdCl₂-induced testicular damage in male rats.