Kefir as a Prevention of Arsenic-mediated Toxicity in Uterine Female Rats

Abstract

Background: kefir is a fermented milk product that demonstrates numerous health benefits including antioxidant and immunomodulatory. Aim: to study the protective effect kefir on the expression of estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) in endometrial stromal cells and endometrial thickness on female rats that were exposed to arsenic. Methods: twenty-five female Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided into five groups (CRL, As, T1, T2, T3). Control group (given a normal diet), As group (given the normal diet and exposed to arsenic trioxide 2 mg/kgBW/day). The T1; T2; T3 were exposed to arsenic trioxide 2 mg/kgBW/day and treated with different doses of kefir (1.25; 2.5; and 5 mL/kgBW/day, respectively) for 35 days. The rats of group As treated with arsenic trioxide only and group CRL served as control with normal feed in water. Cytological samples were taken after 35 days of treatment and examined every day to see the rat oestrus phase, and the proestrus phase of the oestrous cycle was chosen for termination. Uterine tissue fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for tissue preparation. ERα expression in endometrial stromal cells was analized using immunohistochemistry method, endometrial thickness was observed using histopathological methods. Results: significant reduction of ERα expression in endometrial stromal cells and endometrial thickness in female rats exposed to arsenic were observed in groups on treated rats (p ≤ 0.000; 0.009, respectively). Conclusion: the administration of kefir in female Wistar rats exposed to arsenic had shown significantly differences on ERα expressions and endometrial thickness. The smallest dose of kefir (1.25 mL/kgBW/day) could increase ERα expression and endometrial thickness in female Wistar rats with arsenic exposure. Therefore kefir has protective effect related to female reproductive system.