Bisphenol A Induces Oxidative Stress in Bone Marrow Cells, Lymphocytes, and Reproductive Organs of Holtzman Rats

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an estrogenic chemical used in the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Our earlier studies have demonstrated that BPA is a potent reproductive and genotoxic agent and affects the normal physiological functions. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether exposure to BPA induces oxidative stress. The male Holtzman rats were orally gavaged with BPA (0.01 mg and 5.0 mg/kg/bw) over the period of 6 days. Animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation at the end of the treatments; bone marrow cells and blood lymphocytes were aspirated; testis and epididymis were collected, immediately frozen in liquid nitrogen, and stored at -80°C. These samples were utilized for the determination of lipid peroxidation and various antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and nonenzymatic reduced glutathione. The results demonstrated that BPA caused an increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in activity of various enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidants in bone marrow cells, blood lymphocytes, and testicular and epididymal tissues. The findings of the current study suggest that BPA exposure induced oxidative stress, which could be one of the possible mechanisms causing reproductive and genetic toxicity.

Keywords: antioxidant enzymes; bisphenol A; genotoxicity; lipid peroxidation; oxidative stress.