Background: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) are widely used in several fields and safety concerns about their potential reproductive hazards have been raised. Resveratrol (RES) was reported to protect against TiO2-NPs-induced toxicity through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, owing to its low bioavailability, resveratrol-loaded nanoparticles (RES-loaded niosomes) have been developed and were found to have higher antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Aim: To investigate the possible protective effect of RES versus RES-loaded niosomes against TiO2- NPs-induced toxicity on adult rat seminiferous tubules rats.
Materials and Methods: 60 adult male albino rats were divided into 6 equal groups that daily received distilled water, RES, RES-loaded niosomes, TiO2-NPs, TiO2-NPs in addition to RES, and TiO2-NPs in addition to RES-loaded niosomes, respectively for 90 days. At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed; blood to measure testosterone, MDA and LDH and semen samples to evaluate sperm count were collected. Both testes were processed for light and electron microscopic examination.
Results: Administration of TiO2-NPs led to significantly lower testosterone level, sperm count and Johnsen score, significantly elevated MDA and LDH levels and degenerative changes in the seminiferous epithelium. Administration of RES with TiO2-NPs led to significant decrease in MDA and LDH levels than the group receiving only TiO2-NPs, but the levels were still significantly higher than the first three groups. Administration of RES-loaded niosomes with TiO2-NPs led to significant increase in serum testosterone, sperm count and Johnsen score and significant reduction in MDA and LDH levels together with apparent structural improvement of the seminiferous tubules on light and electron microscopic examination compared to the groups receiving TiO2-NPs and RES with TiO2-NPs.
Conclusion: RES-loaded niosomes possibly exerts a protective effect against TiO2-NPs-induced testicular damage and hence might play a role against nanoparticle-induced reproductive toxicity.