Protective effects of L-Carnitine and kiwifruit extract against benzo[a]pyrene-induced testicular toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats

Objective: Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a widespread environmental pollutant known to impair testicular structure and function. This study evaluates whether L-carnitine and kiwifruit extract can protect against BaP-induced testicular toxicity in adult male albino rats. Methods: Forty adult male albino...

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Main Authors: MM Nawaf, LH Ali, Nafi Saud
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Babcock Medical Society 2025-06-01
Series:Babcock University Medical Journal
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Online Access:https://bumj.babcock.edu.ng/index.php/bumj/article/view/907
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author MM Nawaf
LH Ali
Nafi Saud
author_facet MM Nawaf
LH Ali
Nafi Saud
author_sort MM Nawaf
collection DOAJ
description Objective: Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a widespread environmental pollutant known to impair testicular structure and function. This study evaluates whether L-carnitine and kiwifruit extract can protect against BaP-induced testicular toxicity in adult male albino rats. Methods: Forty adult male albino rats (160–225 g) were randomly divided into five groups (n=8 each): control (corn oil), BaP (10 mg/kg), BaP plus L-carnitine (200 mg/kg), BaP plus kiwifruit extract (500 mg/kg), and BaP plus combined treatment. Treatments were administered three times per week for 90 days. Serum testosterone, FSH, and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA), IL-1β, and TNF-α levels, were measured. Testicular histology was examined by H&E staining. Results: Benzo[a]pyrene exposure significantly decreased Testosterone, FSH, and GPX levels and increased MDA, IL-1β, and TNFα levels compared to the control group (p < 0.05). L-carnitine and kiwifruit treatments ameliorated these changes, while combined therapy showed less marked improvement. Histological evaluation revealed severe testicular damage in the Benzo[a]pyrene group, with notable recovery in groups treated with either L-carnitine or kiwifruit, particularly the latter. Conclusion: Kiwifruit extract confers stronger protection than L-carnitine against BaP-induced testicular toxicity; combined therapy does not yield additional benefit.
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spelling doaj-art-1641f059fbcf4554902b65c82f4e64bf2025-08-20T03:15:47ZengBabcock Medical SocietyBabcock University Medical Journal2465-66662756-46572025-06-018110.38029/babcockuniv.med.j..v8i1.907Protective effects of L-Carnitine and kiwifruit extract against benzo[a]pyrene-induced testicular toxicity in Sprague-Dawley ratsMM Nawaf0LH Ali1Nafi Saud2Department of Biology, College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Anbar, Ramadi, Anbar 31001, IraqDepartment of Biology, College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Anbar, Ramadi, Anbar 31001, IraqDepartment of Biology, College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Anbar, Ramadi, Anbar 31001, Iraq Objective: Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a widespread environmental pollutant known to impair testicular structure and function. This study evaluates whether L-carnitine and kiwifruit extract can protect against BaP-induced testicular toxicity in adult male albino rats. Methods: Forty adult male albino rats (160–225 g) were randomly divided into five groups (n=8 each): control (corn oil), BaP (10 mg/kg), BaP plus L-carnitine (200 mg/kg), BaP plus kiwifruit extract (500 mg/kg), and BaP plus combined treatment. Treatments were administered three times per week for 90 days. Serum testosterone, FSH, and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities, as well as malondialdehyde (MDA), IL-1β, and TNF-α levels, were measured. Testicular histology was examined by H&E staining. Results: Benzo[a]pyrene exposure significantly decreased Testosterone, FSH, and GPX levels and increased MDA, IL-1β, and TNFα levels compared to the control group (p < 0.05). L-carnitine and kiwifruit treatments ameliorated these changes, while combined therapy showed less marked improvement. Histological evaluation revealed severe testicular damage in the Benzo[a]pyrene group, with notable recovery in groups treated with either L-carnitine or kiwifruit, particularly the latter. Conclusion: Kiwifruit extract confers stronger protection than L-carnitine against BaP-induced testicular toxicity; combined therapy does not yield additional benefit. https://bumj.babcock.edu.ng/index.php/bumj/article/view/907Benzo[a]pyreneVitamin CWistar ratsOxidative stressToxic effectsInflammation
spellingShingle MM Nawaf
LH Ali
Nafi Saud
Protective effects of L-Carnitine and kiwifruit extract against benzo[a]pyrene-induced testicular toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats
Babcock University Medical Journal
Benzo[a]pyrene
Vitamin C
Wistar rats
Oxidative stress
Toxic effects
Inflammation
title Protective effects of L-Carnitine and kiwifruit extract against benzo[a]pyrene-induced testicular toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats
title_full Protective effects of L-Carnitine and kiwifruit extract against benzo[a]pyrene-induced testicular toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats
title_fullStr Protective effects of L-Carnitine and kiwifruit extract against benzo[a]pyrene-induced testicular toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats
title_full_unstemmed Protective effects of L-Carnitine and kiwifruit extract against benzo[a]pyrene-induced testicular toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats
title_short Protective effects of L-Carnitine and kiwifruit extract against benzo[a]pyrene-induced testicular toxicity in Sprague-Dawley rats
title_sort protective effects of l carnitine and kiwifruit extract against benzo a pyrene induced testicular toxicity in sprague dawley rats
topic Benzo[a]pyrene
Vitamin C
Wistar rats
Oxidative stress
Toxic effects
Inflammation
url https://bumj.babcock.edu.ng/index.php/bumj/article/view/907
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