N-Acetyl Cysteine and Zinc Sulfate Attenuates Acute Crude Oil-Induced Oxidative Stress and Testicular Structural Damage in Male Wistar Rats

Tarela Melish Elias Daubry

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.

Olaghaguo Macstephen Adienbo

Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Blessing Zeinab Ovili-Odili

Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Delta State University Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.

Bruno Chukwuemeka Chinko *

Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

Introduction: Crude oil toxicity is caused by the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress and tissue damage. Both natural and synthetic antioxidants have shown potential in reducing the impact of this stress. This study evaluated the protective effects of N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) and Zinc Sulfate (ZnSO4) in alleviating testicular cytoarchitectural damage and oxidative stress in male Wistar rats after short-term exposure to Bonny light crude oil (BLCO)

Materials and Methods: Fifty male Wistar rats (180–200g) were divided into ten groups of five. Group I (control) received distilled water, and Group II (negative control) was given BLCO (600mg/kg). Groups III and IV were administered NAC at doses of 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg, respectively. Groups V and VI received BLCO (600mg/kg) along with 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg NAC. Groups VII and VIII were treated with ZnSO4 at doses of 0.5mg/kg and 1mg/kg, respectively, while Groups IX and X were given BLCO (600mg/kg) combined with 0.5mg/kg and 1mg/kg ZnSO4. All treatments were administered orally via an orogastric cannula for three weeks. Testicular tissue was assessed by using histopathological examinations. Also, tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were evaluated by using the ELISA technique.

Results: Exposure to BLCO resulted in a significant increase in MDA and GSH levels and a significant decrease in SOD, CAT and TAC levels in BLO-exposed animals compared to control (P<0.05) which were mitigated by co-treatment with NAC and ZnSO₄. Histological analysis of the testes from rats exposed to BLCO revealed notable alterations in testicular morphology, including interstitial exudate, and atrophic and deteriorated seminiferous tubules which indicate testicular degeneration. However, this was improved on supplementation with NAC and ZnSO₄.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that BLCO-exposed rats experienced toxicity affecting both testicular antioxidants and testicular structure. Our findings suggest that NAC and ZnSO4 protected and improved testicular function in BLCO-exposed rats by enhancing testicular antioxidant levels and cytoarchitecture.

Keywords: Bonny light crude oil, N-acetyl cysteine, zinc sulfate, testicular dysfunction, antioxidants


How to Cite

Daubry, Tarela Melish Elias, Olaghaguo Macstephen Adienbo, Blessing Zeinab Ovili-Odili, and Bruno Chukwuemeka Chinko. 2024. “N-Acetyl Cysteine and Zinc Sulfate Attenuates Acute Crude Oil-Induced Oxidative Stress and Testicular Structural Damage in Male Wistar Rats”. Asian Journal of Biology 20 (11):98-108. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajob/2024/v20i11453.