Antioxidant role of Beta carotene: Protection against cadmium induced testicular toxicity

Introduction: Cadmium (Cd) is an industrial pollutant that affects the male reproductive system. The purpose of present study was to investigate the protective role of Beta carotene on cadmium induced testicular damage. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted following approval from Institutional Bioethical Committee and strict internationally accepted guidelines, for the usage of animals in experimental study were. Rats were divided into four groups with 8 rats in each.The Gr. I rats were administered with the single dose of normal saline intraperitoneally. Group II received Beta carotene (10 mg/kg bw) orally for 30 days. Group III received a single dose of 1 mg/kg bw cadmium chloride and Group IV received Beta carotene for 30 days prior to cadmium administration. After the desired protocol, rats were sacrificed and both the testes were removed for biochemical and histopathological evaluation. One testis was fixed in Bouvins fluid and processed or histopathological studies. The levels of lipid peroxides (LPO) and glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected in the tissue homogenates of other testis. Results: In the present study, the level of lipid peroxidation (LPO) was significantly high and GSH and SOD (P<0.001) were low in cadmium treated rats compared to normal control. Pre-treatment with beta carotene showed a protective effect by decreasing LPO and increasing GS Hand SOD level (P<0.001). The morphological changes like atrophy of tubules, edema and decreased spermatogenesis in the testis of rats exposed to cadmium chloride. But, antioxidant showed the normal architecture of the testis. Conclusion: Results of the present study showed the antioxidative role of beta carotene in protecting the testis from cadmium induced toxicity.