Testicular toxicity of orally administrated bisphenol A in rats and protective role of taurine and curcumin

Abstract

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disrupting chemical widely used in the world. Curcumin, the yellow bioactive compound of turmeric has demonstrated its antioxidant activities. Taurine is a low-molecular weight organic compound in living organisms. The present study was aimed to investigate the adverse effects of BPA and its protection by taurine and curcumin. Oral BPA, curcumin and taurine administration in adult male rats at 130mg/kg bw, 100mg/kg bw and 100mg/kg bw, respectively for four weeks. Pathology and oxidative damages were investigated. The results show that BPA increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and decreased antioxidant enzyme activities [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-S-transferase (GST)] in testes of rats compared to the control group. Co-treatment with curcumin or taurine with BPA led to reduce in MDA and increased GPx, GST, CAT, SOD activities compared to BPA group. Furthermore, while some pathological findings were observed in testis tissues in BPA treated group, less histopathological findings were shown in BPA plus curcumin and/or taurine treated groups. Consequently, curcumin and taurine significantly protect BPA induced testicular damage in rats.