P-135: The Protective Effect of Green Tea Extract on Lead-Induced Oxidative Stress, Apoptosis and Morphometric Changes in Male Mouse Epididymis

Background: Lead (Pb) is one of the most important environmental pollutants that affect the male reproductive system. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of green tea extract on lead-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis and morphometric changes in male mouse epididymis. Materials and Methods: Forty adult male mice were randomly divided into four groups (n= 10), as follows: Control, GTE, Pb and Pb+GTE treated groups. Animals were given 100 mg of GTE/Kg body weight/day (ip) in the GTE and Pb+GTE treated groups, while the other groups received normal saline. The Pb and Pb+GTE treated groups received 1% lead (II) acetate (LA) in drinking water. After 6 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and the body of epididymis was removed. Blood samples were collected for biochemical tests. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey post hoc tests (SPSS, p<0.05). Results: The histological evaluations indicated that lead increased vacuole formation in epithelial thickness of epididymis and significantly reduced epithelial cells height and diameter of epididymis in comparison with that of control group (p<0.001). TUNEL staining showed that lead induces apoptosis in epithelial cells of epididymis (p<0.001). Lead caused a significant decrease plasma testosterone level and increased plasma Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration (p<0.001). However, co-administration of GTE with lead acetate significantly increased epithelial cells height and diameter of epididymis and decreased number of apoptotic cells compared to Pb treated group (p<0.001). Moreover, combined treatment significantly increased plasma testosterone level and decreased plasma MDA concentration versus Pb treated group (p<0.001). Conclusion: GTE is potentially reducing Pb toxicity and tissue damage of epididymis by enhancing the antioxidant/detoxification system.