Protective and antioxidant effects of chia oil and canola oil on testicular injury induced by lead in rats

Abstract

Environmental pollution is a global problem that needs more efforts to overcome the increase of environmental pollution rates and the threat of ecosystem stability. Due to the increase of human activities in the field of industry and agriculture, heavy metals are increasingly spreaded and accumulated in water, air and soil, which pose a great risk to living organisms. Medicinal plants and natural products constitute an important source for relieving and treating many diseases in a safe manner, as it is characterized by low cost and fewer side effects compared to industrial chemical drugs. The present study was aimed to evaluate the ameliorative influence of chia oil and canola oil on testicular injury induced by lead (Pb) in rats. To evaluate the role of chia oil and canola oil against Pb toxicity, sixty Wistar male rats were taken and divided into six groups. Group 1 was kept as control, group 2 received Pb solution (150 mg/kg BW), group 3 was treated with chia oil at (600 mg/kg BW) and exposed to Pb (150 mg/kg BW), group 4 was treated with canola oil (600 mg/kg BW) and exposed to Pb (150 mg/kg BW), groups 5 and 6 were treated with chia oil (600 mg/kg BW) and canola oil (600 mg/kg BW) respectively. In rats of group 2, the level of serum GSH, SOD and CAT were significantly decreased, while the level of MDA was increased. Histopathological examination of testicular tissues in rats of group 2 showed severe alterations. Treatment of rats with chai oil (group 3) and canola oil (group 4) reduced the changes of oxidative stress markers (GSH, SOD, CAT and MDA) accompanied with normal structure of testicular tissues. The results of this conclude that chia oil and canola oil have shown protection against Pb induced testicular injury due to their antioxidant roles.