Poster Presentation Nutrition Society of Australia 50th Annual Scientific Meeting 2026

protective effects of vitamin E on testicular functions of male wistar rats exposed to gasoline-fume and cigarette smoke (147186)

Kingsley C Igwe 1 , Ogechukwu E Ezim 2 , Sunny O Abarikwu 3 , Chuka D Belonwu 4 , Vitalis N Onyejekwe 5 , Chisom E Nebeolisa 6
  1. Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
  2. Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
  3. Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
  4. Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
  5. Pharmacognosy and phytotherapy, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
  6. Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Gasoline fumes and cigarette smoke are two common sources of air pollution. Exposure to gasoline fumes and cigarette smoke has been linked to a number of health problems including cancer, respiratory infections, reproductive dysfunction, and heart disease ( 1.2 ).This study examined the effect of vitamin E on testicular functions of rats exposed to gasoline-fume and cigarette smoke. Forty male rats (80g-102g) were allocated into five groups (A-E) of eight animals each. A: animals were fed with normal rat chow and water only; B: animals were exposed to gasoline-fume (750ml); C: animals were exposed to gasoline-fume (750ml) and administered Vit E (4ml); D: animals were exposed to gasoline-fume (750ml) and cigarette smoke (8 sticks per day), and administered Vit E; E: animals were exposed to gasoline-fume (750ml) and cigarette (8 sticks). Exposure to gasoline-fume and cigarette smoke was done for 6hrs per day, for eleven weeks. After eleven (11) weeks, the rats were sacrificed, their testes and serum were isolated for experimental analyses. Gasoline-fume and cigarette smoke groups were shown to significantly induce oxidative stress markers on the testes by increasing the level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid peroxidation and reduce the level of some antioxidants like superoxide dismutase and catalase, impair sperm quality and increase DNA fragmentation. Administration of Vitamin E was shown to significantly reduce the level of some ROS and increased the concentration of 3β-HSD, 17β-HSD and testosterone. DNA fragmentation was significantly reduced.  Histopathology of the testes showed degenerated and atrophied epithelium, few gem cells, dead/giant cells and cellular debris, possibly due to oxidative stress exerted by cigarette smoke and gasoline-fume; groups administered vitamin E showed a restoration of some damaged histological features such as interstitial and germ cells. Therefore, vitamin E had a protective effect on the gonads of rats exposed to gasoline fumes and cigarette smoke.

 

  1. 1. Ezim, O.E, Nyeche,J, Nebeolisa, C.E, et al (2024) Toxicol. Ind. Health 40 (6): 323-336.  2. Sarah, C. K, Jack, F, Marisa, G. et al (2020) J. Sci. Art Androl. Urol., 9(6):2797–2813