Effect of bisphenol A on the myocardium of adult male albino rats and the possible role of lycopene

Abstract

Introduction Despite the wide use of bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic and epoxy resin industries, its side effects have been a subject of controversy. Lycopene (a natural carotenoid) has a protective role in many cardiovascular diseases. This work aimed to study the biochemical and structural changes induced by BPA in the myocardium of adult rats and evaluate whether coadministration of lycopene could alter these effects. Materials and methods Twenty adult male albino rats were divided into four equal groups. Group I was the control. Group II received lycopene (4mg/kg body weight/day orally) for 8 weeks. Group III was given BPA (50mg/kg body weight/day orally) for 8 weeks. Group IV was given both BPA and lycopene in the same previous dose and for the same duration. At the end of the experiment, rats were anesthetized, and their hearts were taken and prepared for histological and biochemical studies. Area percentages of the collagen content and positive immune reaction for vimentin were morphometrically and statistically analyzed. Results Examination of group III revealed that some myocytes had a deeply acidophilic cytoplasm and were devoid of nuclei. Some myocytes appeared with pale vacuolated cytoplasm, and some had focal loss of myofibrils. Their sarcoplasm contained many distorted mitochondria and dilated T-tubules. Their nuclei were variable in shape. They were peripherally located, or deeply indented, or heterochromatic. Many interstitial cells, inflammatory cells, congested blood capillaries, and areas of edema were seen. A significant increase in collagen fibers and in the area percentage of positive immune reaction for vimentin compared with the control group was observed. Examination of group IV showed that the cardiac muscle cells had a normal architecture except for a few distorted muscle fibers and many congested blood capillaries. There was a significant decrease in the area percentage of positive immune reaction for vimentin in group IV compared with group III. The current study revealed significant increase in serum malondialdehyde, whereas tissue reduced glutathione and catalase showed significant decrease in group III compared with the control group. In contrast, in group IV, malondialdehyde showed significant decrease, and tissue reduced glutathione and catalase showed significant increase, compared with group III. Conclusion Long-term exposure to BPA could induce structural and biochemical changes in rat cardiac muscle. This could be partially minimized by concomitant administration of lycopene.