We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Toxic effect of polyethylene microplastic on testicles and ameliorative effect of luteolin in adult rats: Environmental challenge
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polyethylene microplastics caused significant testicular toxicity in adult rats including reduced sperm quality and testosterone levels, while luteolin treatment ameliorated these effects through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Polyethylene microplastic (PE-MP) is amongst the most manufactured plastics globally. However, emerging studies report its adverse effects on wildlife and humans. Luteolin (LUT) is a flavonoid compound known for its potent antioxidant properties. The present study was designed to estimate the toxic effect of PE-MP on testicles of adult male rats. The therapeutic potential of LUT was also determined in alleviating PE-MP instigated testicular dysfunctions. An experiment was carried on 48 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats, which were randomly classified into four groups: control, PE-MP (1.5 mg/kg), PE-MP + LUT (1.5 mg/kg + 50 mg/kg respectively), and LUT (50 mg/kg). The biochemical, spermatogenic, hormonal, and histopathological parameters were studied after 56 days of treatment. PE-MP exposure disrupted the biochemical profile by reducing catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GSR) activities. In comparison, the concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were increased. PE-MP-intoxication also reduced the sperm motility, viability, the number of hypo-osmotic tails swelled spermatozoa, and epididymal sperm count; additionally, it increased the sperm morphological (head–tail and mid-piece) abnormalities. Furthermore, it lowered luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and plasma testosterone. PE-MP exposure led to histopathological damages in testicular tissues. However, LUT inverted all the illustrated impairments in testes. Our results demonstrate that PE-MP could cause testicular damage in male rats, effectively mitigated by LUT treatment.
More Papers Like This
Evaluation of possible attenuative role of chrysoeriol against polyethylene microplastics instigated testicular damage: A biochemical, spermatogenic and histological study
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated whether the plant compound chrysoeriol could protect against testicular damage caused by polyethylene microplastics in a rat model. The study found that microplastic exposure reduced antioxidant enzyme activity and increased inflammation markers, while co-administration of chrysoeriol showed a protective effect by mitigating oxidative stress and preserving sperm quality.
Attenuative effect of astilbin on polystyrene microplastics induced testicular damage: Biochemical, spermatological and histopathological-based evidences
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that astilbin, a natural plant compound, significantly reduced testicular damage caused by polystyrene microplastic exposure in rats. The microplastics disrupted hormone levels, sperm quality, and testicular tissue structure, but astilbin treatment counteracted these effects by boosting antioxidant defenses and reducing inflammation. The study suggests that natural antioxidant compounds may offer protective benefits against the reproductive harm associated with microplastic exposure.
Pharmacotherapeutic potential of ginkgetin against polystyrene microplastics–instigated testicular toxicity in rats: A biochemical, spermatological, and histopathological assessment
AI summary Read the abstract
Forty-eight male rats were given polystyrene microplastics, ginkgetin, both or neither for 56 days. Microplastics lowered antioxidant enzyme activity in the testes and reduced sperm count, viability and motility. Rats that also received ginkgetin, a plant biflavonoid, showed less of this damage.
Metabolic–endocrine remodelling of the testis under polystyrene nanoplastic exposure: Intervention by organ-specific phytocomplexes of Nelumbo nucifera
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics impair testosterone production and sperm quality in male rats by inducing testicular oxidative stress and disrupting cholesterol and energy metabolism, and showed that extracts from lotus plant organs — especially the rhizome — significantly protected testicular function through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
Rhamnetin alleviates polystyrene microplastics-induced testicular damage by restoring biochemical, steroidogenic, hormonal, apoptotic, inflammatory, spermatogenic and histological profile in male albino rats
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied whether the plant compound rhamnetin could protect against testicular damage caused by polystyrene microplastics in rats. Microplastic exposure caused significant harm to sperm quality, hormone levels, and testicular tissue through oxidative stress and inflammation. Co-treatment with rhamnetin restored many of these markers, suggesting it may help counteract some of the reproductive harm associated with microplastic exposure.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.