Antioxidant Potential ofSpirulina platensisMitigates Oxidative Stress and Reprotoxicity Induced by Sodium Arsenite in Male Rats

Abstract

The present study aimed to examine the protective role ofSpirulina platensis(S. platensis) against arsenic-induced testicular oxidative damage in rats. Arsenic (in the form of NaAsO2at a dose of 6.3 mg/kg body weight for 8 weeks) caused a significant accumulation of arsenic in testicular tissues as well as a decrease in the levels of testicular superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione, and zinc. Moreover, it significantly decreased plasma testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4) levels and reduced sperm motility and sperm count. Arsenic (AS) led to a significant increase in testicular malondialdehyde (MDA), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), nitric oxide (NO), and sperm abnormalities.S. platensisat a dose of 300 mg/kg was found to attenuate As-induced oxidative stress, testicular damage, and sperm abnormalities by its potent antioxidant activity.S. platensismay represent a potential therapeutic option to protect the testicular tissue from arsenic intoxication.