Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Bu, Tong-liang
• Jia, Yu-dong
• Lin, Jin-xing
• Mi, Yu-ling
• Zhang, Cai-qiao

Titel

Alleviative effect of quercetin on germ cells intoxicated by 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol from diesel exhaust particles

Ist Teil von

• Journal of Zhejiang University. B. Science, 2012-04, Vol.13 (4), p.318-326

Ort / Verlag

Heidelberg: SP Zhejiang University Press

Erscheinungsjahr

2012

Quelle

MEDLINE

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• As a component of diesel exhaust particles, 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol （4-nitro-m-cresol, PNMC） is also a metabolite of the insecticide fenitrothion and imposes hazardous effects on human health. In the present study, the alleviative effect of a common antioxidant flavonoid quercetin on mouse germ cells intoxicated by PNMC was inves- tigated. Results showed that a single intraperitoneal injection of PNMC at 100 mg/kg induced severe testicular damage after one week. PNMC-treated mice showed a significant loss of germ cells （approximate 40% loss of round germ cells）. PNMC caused an increase of hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide production and lipid peroxidation, as well as a decrease in glutathione level, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. Furthermore, treatment of PNMC increased expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax and decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein BcI-XL in germ cells. In addition, testicular caspase-3 activity was significantly up-regulated and germ cell apoptosis was significantly increased in the PNMC-treated mice. In contrast, combined administration of quercetin at 75 mg/kg significantly attenuated PNMC-induced testicular toxicity. These results indicate that the antioxidant quercetin displays a remarkable protective effect on PNMC-induced oxidative damage in mouse testes and may represent an efficient supplement to attenuate reproductive toxicity by environmental toxicants to ensure healthy sperm production.