Alleviative effect of quercetin on germ cells intoxicated by 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol from diesel exhaust particles |
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Authors: | Tong-liang Bu Yu-dong Jia Jin-xing Lin Yu-ling Mi and Cai-qiao Zhang |
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Institution: | 1Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China;2College of Life and Basic Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Yaan 625014, China |
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Abstract: | As a component of diesel exhaust particles, 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (4-nitro-m-cresol, PNMC) is also a metabolite of the insecticide fenitrothion and imposes hazardous effects on human health. In the
present study, the alleviative effect of a common antioxidant flavonoid quercetin on mouse germ cells intoxicated by PNMC
was investigated. Results showed that a single intraperitoneal injection of PNMC at 100 mg/kg induced severe testicular damage
after one week. PNMC-treated mice showed a significant loss of germ cells (approximate 40% loss of round germ cells). PNMC
caused an increase of hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide production and lipid peroxidation, as well as a decrease in glutathione
level, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. Furthermore, treatment of PNMC increased expression of
the pro-apoptotic protein Bax and decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-XL in germ cells. In addition, testicular
caspase-3 activity was significantly up-regulated and germ cell apoptosis was significantly increased in the PNMC-treated
mice. In contrast, combined administration of quercetin at 75 mg/kg significantly attenuated PNMC-induced testicular toxicity.
These results indicate that the antioxidant quercetin displays a remarkable protective effect on PNMC-induced oxidative damage
in mouse testes and may represent an efficient supplement to attenuate reproductive toxicity by environmental toxicants to
ensure healthy sperm production. |
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Keywords: | Quercetin 3-Methyl-4-nitrophenol Oxidative damage Apoptosis Germ cell Testis |
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