Alleviative effect of quercetin on germ cells intoxicated by 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol from diesel exhaust particles

As a component of diesel exhaust particles, 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol （4-nitro-m-cresol, PNMC） is also a metabolite of the insecticide fenitrothion and imposes hazardous effects on human health. In the present study, the alleviative effect of a common antioxidant flavonoid quercetin on mouse germ cells...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Zhejiang University. B. Science 2012-04, Vol.13 (4), p.318-326
Main Authors: Bu, Tong-liang, Jia, Yu-dong, Lin, Jin-xing, Mi, Yu-ling, Zhang, Cai-qiao
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Antioxidants
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biomedicine
Biotechnology
Cell Survival - drug effects
Cresols - toxicity
Damage
Diesel
Diesel fuels
Exhaust
Glutathione
Male
Mice
Mice, Inbred ICR
Particulate Matter - toxicity
Quercetin - pharmacology
Spermatozoa - drug effects
Spermatozoa - physiology
Toxicity
Vehicle Emissions - poisoning
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Summary:As a component of diesel exhaust particles, 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol （4-nitro-m-cresol, PNMC） is also a metabolite of the insecticide fenitrothion and imposes hazardous effects on human health. In the present study, the alleviative effect of a common antioxidant flavonoid quercetin on mouse germ cells intoxicated by PNMC was inves- tigated. Results showed that a single intraperitoneal injection of PNMC at 100 mg/kg induced severe testicular damage after one week. PNMC-treated mice showed a significant loss of germ cells （approximate 40% loss of round germ cells）. PNMC caused an increase of hydroxyl radical and hydrogen peroxide production and lipid peroxidation, as well as a decrease in glutathione level, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities. Furthermore, treatment of PNMC increased expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax and decreased expression of the anti-apoptotic protein BcI-XL in germ cells. In addition, testicular caspase-3 activity was significantly up-regulated and germ cell apoptosis was significantly increased in the PNMC-treated mice. In contrast, combined administration of quercetin at 75 mg/kg significantly attenuated PNMC-induced testicular toxicity. These results indicate that the antioxidant quercetin displays a remarkable protective effect on PNMC-induced oxidative damage in mouse testes and may represent an efficient supplement to attenuate reproductive toxicity by environmental toxicants to ensure healthy sperm production.
ISSN:1673-1581
1862-1783
DOI:10.1631/jzus.B1100318