Pré-tratamento com hidrolisado de clara de ovo previne os danos reprodutores induzidos pela exposição ao cádmio?

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal and the human exposure is increasing through the consumption of water, contaminated food and cigarette smoke. There is evidence of damage caused by Cd to various organs and systems, however, the mechanisms and possible therapeutic routes are poorly studied in the various systems affected. In this context, egg white hydrolyzate (EWH), a proven antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, vasodilator and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, may be beneficial against the effects of Cd on various organ systems. Thus, this study aims to investigate whether the consumption of EWH is able to act on reproductive system disorders induced by exposure to Cd in rats. For this, male Wistar rats were divided into: a) Control - drinking water by gavage + distilled water i.p for 28 days; b) CdCl2 - drinking water by gavage for 28 days + distilled water i.p + CdCl2 1mg/kg i.p. in the last 14 days; c) Hydrolyzed - EWH - 1g/kg/day, by gavage + distilled water i.p for 28 days; d) EWH + CdCl2 - pre-treatment for 14 days with EWH - 1g/Kg/day, by gavage + distilled water ip and 14 days with CdCl2 - 1mg/kg i.p. + EWH - 1g/Kg/day, by gavage. In the reproductive system, organ weight, daily testicular sperm production, sperm count, epididymis transit time, motility and sperm morphology were performed; histological analysis of the testis and epididymis and analysis of membrane integrity (MI). As oxidative stress biomarkers were measured: lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species and non-protein thiol group levels, antioxidant capacity, SOD, CAT activity, and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired t-test and one-way or two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Bonferroni post-hoc test (P<0.05), when appropriate Kruskal-Wallis test. Findings demonstrate that pre-treatment with EWH reduced membrane damage, improved sperm motility, mentions daily sperm production levels and prevented induced morphological abnormalities, as well as demonstrated antioxidant effect by reducing lipid peroxidation and species levels. Reactive oxygen levels induced by exposure to Cd in the testis and epididymis. The enzymatic activity of SOD, CAT and GPX was increased in animals exposed to Cd and pretreatment with EWH did not change this parameter in testis, but in epididymis the elevation of SOD and GPx levels promoted by exposure to Cd was reversed EWH treated rats. Conclusion: EWH, a functional food, can be considered as a useful alternative therapeutic tool to protect against CdCl2-induced toxic damage in the male reproductive system of rats.