Effect of Chrysin and Chrysin Nanocrystals on Chlorpyrifos-Induced Dysfunction of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular Axis in Rats

Abstract

Aims and background: The escalating global concerns regarding reproductive health underscore the urgency of investigating the impact of environmental pollutants on fertility. This study aims to focus on Chlorpyrifos (CPF), a widely-used organophosphate insecticide, and explores its adverse influence on the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis in Wistar male rats. This study explores the potential protective effects of chrysin nanocrystal (CHN), a flavonoid with known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, against CPF-induced impairments in male Wistar rats.

Methods: Chrysin nanocrystals were prepared using a solvent precipitation method. Six sets of male Wistar rats were subjected to 30 days of treatment, comprising a control group, a group treated solely with CPF, groups treated with CHN at doses of 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg, and groups co-treated with CPF and CHN. Serum levels of reproductive hormones, enzyme biomarkers of testicular function, oxidative stress, and inflammatory biomarkers were assessed. Additionally, histological examinations were conducted on the hypothalamus, testes, and epididymis.

Results: CHN exhibited antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, effectively counteracting CPF-induced reductions in Luteinizing Hormone (LH), serum testosterone, Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), and testicular enzyme biomarkers. Moreover, CHN enhanced antioxidant defenses, as evidenced by decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased glutathione (GSH) levels in the hypothalamus, and testes, epididymis. Inflammatory markers, including nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), were significantly reduced in CHN co-treated groups compared to the CPF-only group. Histopathological analyses confirmed the protective effects of CHN on tissue integrity.

Conclusion: Chrysin nanocrystal demonstrated promising potential in mitigating CPF-induced reproductive deficits in male rats through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study provides valuable insights into therapeutic interventions against environmental toxin-induced reproductive toxicity, emphasizing the potential of chrysin nanocrystals as a protective agent in the context of CPF exposure.