Effects of Spirulina nanoparticles on bisphenol A-induced testicular toxicity in male rats: Hormonal, histopathological, and molecular insights.
Abstract
Background
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-active environmental chemical that can impair testicular function through oxidative stress and disrupted steroidogenesis. Spirulina platensis (SP) has antioxidant and cytoprotective properties that may counteract BPA-induced injury. This study evaluated nanoformulated SP (NSP) against BPA-induced testicular toxicity, focusing on reproductive, structural, and molecular outcomes. MATERIALS/
Methods
Forty adult male rats were randomly allocated into five groups (n = 8/group) and orally treated for 8 weeks: control, NSP (100 mg/kg), BPA (150 mg/kg), or BPA combined with NSP (50 or 100 mg/kg). Serum reproductive hormones, testicular oxidative stress markers, sperm quality, histopathological and morphometric analyses, immunohistochemical assessment of caspase-3 and PCNA, and selected genes related to steroidogenesis, antioxidant defense, and BDNF were assessed.
Results
AND
Discussion
BPA exposure caused marked reproductive dysfunction, characterized by reduced reproductive hormones and sperm quality, increased MDA, and decreased SOD and GPx activities. These changes were accompanied by downregulation of steroidogenic (LHR, StAR, 3β-HSD) and antioxidant (Nrf2, HO-1) genes, along with BDNF expression. Histopathological findings further revealed marked structural damage, elevated caspase-3, and reduced PCNA expression. Co-treatment with NSP, particularly at 100 mg/kg, significantly attenuated these alterations by improving hormonal levels, sperm quality, antioxidant status, and testicular architecture, while reducing lipid peroxidation and apoptosis and increasing the expression of steroidogenic and antioxidant genes, as well as BDNF expression.
Conclusion
Overall, NSP, particularly at the higher dose, effectively attenuated BPA-induced testicular toxicity in male rats. These findings highlight NSP as a promising natural nano-formulation for mitigating BPA-associated reproductive toxicity.