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Nano‐selenium attenuates nickel‐induced testosterone synthesis disturbance through inhibition of MAPK pathways in Sprague‐Dawley rats
Author(s) -
Gan Xiaoqin,
Zhang Xiaotian,
E Qiannan,
Zhang Qiong,
Ye Yixing,
Cai Yunyu,
Han Aijie,
Tian Minmin,
Wang Caixia,
Su Zheng,
Su Li,
Liang Changhao
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
environmental toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.813
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1522-7278
pISSN - 1520-4081
DOI - 10.1002/tox.22768
Subject(s) - mapk/erk pathway , testosterone (patch) , medicine , endocrinology , protein kinase a , p38 mitogen activated protein kinases , selenium , chemistry , kinase , biology , biochemistry , organic chemistry
The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of Nano‐Se against Ni‐induced testosterone synthesis disorder in rats and determine the underlying protective mechanism. Sprague‐Dawley rats were co‐treated with Ni (5.0 mg/kg, i.p.) and Nano‐Se (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg, oral gavage) for 14 days after which various endpoints were evaluated. The Ni‐induced abnormal pathological changes and elevated 8‐OHdG levels in the testes were attenuated by Nano‐Se administration. Importantly, decreased serum testosterone levels in the Ni‐treated rats were significantly restored by Nano‐Se treatment, particularly at 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein levels of testosterone synthetase were increased by Nano‐Se compared to the Ni group, whereas phosphorylated protein expression levels of mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways were suppressed by Nano‐Se administration in the Ni‐treated rats. Overall, the results suggest that Nano‐Se may ameliorate the Ni‐induced testosterone synthesis disturbance via the inhibition of ERK1/2, p38, and JNK MAPK pathways.