The Effect of Green Tea (Camellia Sinensis) on Rat Testicular Tissue Following Exposure to ParaNonylphenol

Abstract

Background & Aims: Para-Nonylphenol (p-NP) can cause oxidative stress through reducing the activity of<br /> scavenging enzymes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of green tea extract, as an<br /> antioxidant, on testisin rats exposed to p-NP.<br /> Methods: In the present study, 24 Wistar rats with mean body weight of 215 ± 10 g were divided into 4<br /> groups (n = 6). The first group was considered as the control group. The treatment group, respectively,<br /> received p-NP (200 mg/kg/day), green tea extract (200 mg/kg/day), and p-NP + green tea extract orally for<br /> 56 days. Then, the rats were sacrificed and their right testis removed. After tissue processing and staining, the<br /> volume of seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue, seminiferous tubules length and diameter, height of<br /> germinal epithelium, basement membrane thickness, and the number of cell types were estimated<br /> stereologically. The concentration of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) was also evaluated. Data were<br /> analyzed using one-way ANOVA. All P values of less than 0.05 were considered significant.<br /> Results: The mean volume and diameter of seminiferous tubules, the thickness of their basement membrane,<br /> germinal epithelium height, and mean total number of spermatocytes, spermatids, and Sertoli cells<br /> significantly reduced in the p-NP group compared to other groups. MDA concentration in rats treated with pNP<br /> significantly increased compared with the control group.<br /> Conclusion: Green tea seems to have a protective role in p-NP-induced toxicity in testis tissue.<br /> Thus, the results suggest that consumption of green tea, as an antioxidant agent, can play an<br /> important role in preventing the side effects of p-NP exposure in industrial areas.