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Thymoquinone ameliorates testicular tissue inflammation induced by chronic administration of oral sodium nitrite
A Alyoussef1, M M H Al-Gayyar2,3
1Department of Internal Medicine (Dermatology and Venereology), Faculty of Medicine, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract:
Although sodium nitrite has been widely used as food preservative, building bases of scientific evidence about nitrite continues to oppose the general safety in human health. Moreover, thymoquinone (TQ) has therapeutic potential as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anticancer. Therefore, we investigated the effects of both sodium nitrite and TQ on testicular tissues of rats. Forty adult male Sprague Dawley rats were used. They received either 80 mg kg(-1) sodium nitrite or 50 mg kg(-1) TQ daily for twelve weeks. Serum testosterone was measured. Testis were weighed and the testicular tissue homogenates were used for measurements of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL10, caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9. Sodium nitrite resulted in significant reduction in serum testosterone concentration and elevation in testis weight and Gonado-Somatic Index. We found significant reduction in testicular tissues levels of IL-4 and IL-10 associated with elevated levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9. In conclusion, chronic oral sodium nitrite induced changes in the weight of rat testis accompanied by elevation in the testicular tissue level of oxidative stress markers and inflammatory cytokines. TQ attenuated sodium nitrite-induced testicular tissue damage through blocking oxidative stress, restoration of normal inflammatory cytokines balance and blocking of apoptosis.
Insights
Sodium nitrite harms rat testes by increasing inflammation and apoptosis, while thymoquinone (TQ) protects against this damage. TQ helps restore normal inflammatory balance and blocks cell death pathways.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Reproductive Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Sodium nitrite is a common food preservative with debated safety.
- Thymoquinone (TQ) exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of sodium nitrite and TQ on rat testicular tissues.
- To assess the protective effects of TQ against sodium nitrite-induced testicular damage.
Main Methods:
- Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were administered sodium nitrite (80 mg/kg) or TQ (50 mg/kg) daily for 12 weeks.
- Measurements included serum testosterone, testis weight, Gonado-Somatic Index, and testicular levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL10) and apoptosis markers (caspase-3, -8, -9).
Main Results:
- Sodium nitrite significantly reduced serum testosterone and increased testis weight and Gonado-Somatic Index.
- Testicular tissues showed decreased IL-4 and IL-10, but increased TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, caspase-3, caspase-8, and caspase-9.
- TQ treatment counteracted these effects, mitigating oxidative stress, restoring cytokine balance, and inhibiting apoptosis.
Conclusions:
- Chronic sodium nitrite exposure induces testicular damage via oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.
- Thymoquinone effectively attenuates sodium nitrite-induced testicular toxicity by modulating these pathways.
