Chromium (III) Chloride Partially preserves Testicular Morphology but fails to Attenuate Lead Acetate-Induced Oxidative Stress in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

The male gonads (testes) are the primary male reproductive organs that are very sensitive to environmental toxicants such as lead. This study investigated the influence of chromium (III) chloride (CrCl₃) on lead acetate (lead) induced testicular oxidative stress and inflammation in male Wistar rats. The study design involved twenty male Wistar rats randomly assigned to four groups (n=5) and treated orally for 45 days. The groupings are the control, CrCl₃ (0.3mg/kg), lead (15mg/kg), and CrCl₃ plus lead acetate. The treatments for all the groups were done orally for 45 days. The testicular antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress status were assayed spectrophotometrically, while testicular pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers were measured with ELISA. The obtained results indicate elevation of testicular oxidative stress, marked by increased malondialdehyde, hydroxyl, and superoxide radicals with reduced superoxide dismutase, catalase activities, and thiol level in lead-treated rats. Also, lead-induced testicular inflammation is evidenced by the elevation of pro-inflammatory and reduced anti-inflammatory markers with testicular histopathology alteration. The oxidative and antioxidant results of CrCl₃ are similar to the control, except for the hydroxyl radical. Also, CrCl₃ significantly increased pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines evaluated and improved anti-inflammatory markers in the lead acetate group. The testicular morphology alteration caused by lead acetate was averted by the administration of CrCl₃. The chromium (III) chloride could not lessen lead acetate-induced testicular oxidative stress and produced mixed immunomodulatory effects, increasing both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, its anti-inflammatory role in this model should be interpreted cautiously.