Ameliorating Effects of Vitamin E on Morphological and Histological Alterations and Oxidative Stress Factors Assessment Against Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle-Induced in Mice Testis

Nano titanium dioxide particles (TiO2) are chemical compounds that are widely used in industrial and foodstuff such as cosmetics, toothpaste, colored materials, and non-fat milk whitening. Vitamin E (Vit E) is a dietary compound that functions as an antioxidant scavenging free radicals. The goal of this study was to carry out the protective effect of vitamin E on histomorphometry, oxidative stress factors and biochemical parameters as well as testosterone concentration.

In the present study, 35 adult male mice were divided into 7 control and experimental groups. The experimental groups received TiO2 at 2.5, 5 and 10 doses, and the positive control group received vitamin E (100 IU) mg/kg alone (by gavage tube). After treatment, animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation and testes samples were taken. The level of p<0.05 was considered significant.

The results of histomorphometry revealed that the weight of testis and body, testicular capsule thickness, seminiferous tubules diameter, germinal epithelium height, spermiogenesis and meiotic indices were reduced while sertoli cells and repopulation index had no significant changes. Also, biochemical results showed the Malondialdehyde was enhanced and it diminished the total antioxidant capacity, catalase enzyme activity, protein content, as well as testosterone concentration. (p<0.05).

The TiO2 nanoparticles caused detrimental pathologic effects when used at the highest doses. However, vitamin E could ameliorate the toxic effects of TiO2-induced on testicular tissue in experimental animals.