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Protective Effects and Potential Mechanisms of D-Aspartate on Testicular Damage Induced by Polystyrene Microplastics

Sara Falvo1, Giulia Grillo1, Imed Messaoudi2

  • 1Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Via Vivaldi, 43, 81100 Caserta, Italy.

Biomolecules
|November 27, 2025
PubMed

Insights

D-aspartate (D-Asp) protects against testicular damage caused by polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs). D-Asp treatment reversed PS-MP-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy, improving male reproductive health.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Reproductive Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) exposure is linked to testicular dysfunction, including oxidative stress, apoptosis, and impaired steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis.
  • D-aspartate (D-Asp) is known to stimulate testosterone biosynthesis and spermatogenesis and possesses antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the protective effects of D-aspartate (D-Asp) against PS-MPs-induced testicular damage in vivo.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms underlying D-Asp's protective action against PS-MP toxicity.

Main Methods:

  • Adult rats were exposed to PS-MPs, with some receiving D-Asp treatment.
  • Assessment of testicular oxidative stress markers (CAT, SOD1, SOD2, 4-HNE, TBARS).
  • Evaluation of apoptosis (CYT C, TUNEL assay) and autophagy (LC3BI, LC3BII, p62).
  • Analysis of steroidogenic (StAR, 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD) and spermatogenic (PCNA, SYCP3) markers.

Main Results:

  • D-Asp treatment reversed PS-MP-induced increases in oxidative stress and apoptosis.
  • D-Asp mitigated PS-MP-induced autophagy activation.
  • D-Asp restored normal levels of key steroidogenic and spermatogenic markers, counteracting PS-MP damage.

Conclusions:

  • D-aspartate demonstrates significant protective effects against PS-microplastic-induced testicular damage in rats.
  • D-Asp ameliorates testicular dysfunction by inhibiting oxidative stress, apoptosis, and autophagy, and restoring steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis.
  • These findings suggest D-Asp's potential therapeutic value for male reproductive health impacted by microplastic pollution.
Keywords:
D-aspartatePolystyrene Microplasticsapoptosisautophagyoxidative stressreproductionspermatogenesissteroidogenesis

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