Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Samaneh Karami ¹
• Fatemeh Mirzaei ²
• Davood Ahmadimoghaddam ¹
• Sabah Ghadimi ³
• Yaser Mohammadi ⁴
• Akram Ranjbar ¹
• Asieh Hosseini ⁵

¹ Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

² Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

³ Nutrition Health Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran

⁴ Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

⁵ Razi Drug Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: Zearalenone (ZEN), a common estrogenic mycotoxin found in grains, can cause reproductive disorders and toxic damage in various tissues particularly the testes due to its structural similarity to estrogens. This study investigates the protective effects of Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus) against acute testicular toxicity induced by ZEN in mice.
Methods: Forty male mice were randomly assigned to four groups including: Control, ZEN (40 μg/kg/IP), L. acidophilus (5×10⁹ CFU/ml/IP), and ZEN + L. acidophilus, and treated accordingly for one week. Following treatment, oxidative stress markers (TAC, MDA, CAT), serum testosterone levels, and testicular histopathological changes (including Johnson’s score) were evaluated.
Results: Treatment with ZEN alone led to a significant reduction in TAC (65%), a marked increase in MDA (8-fold), and a severe decline in CAT activity (75%) in testicular tissue. Additionally, ZEN significantly decreased serum testosterone levels by 80% and induced pronounced histopathological damage (a drop in Johnson’s score from 9.6 to 4.2), including degeneration of the germinal epithelium and reduced Leydig cell count. Co-treatment with L. acidophilus significantly mitigated these deleterious effects: it improved TAC by 80%, reduced MDA by 70%, enhanced CAT activity, increased serum testosterone levels by to 130 and raised Johnson’s score to 7, indicating notable recovery of testicular structure and spermatogenesis.
Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate the multifaceted toxic effects of ZEN on the male reproductive system and the substantial protective role of L. acidophilus against ZEN-induced acute testicular toxicity in mice. These results highlight the potential of probiotics as a natural strategy to mitigate mycotoxin-induced reproductive damage.

Highlights

Fatemeh Mirzaei  (Google Scholar)   

Davoud Ahmadimoghaddam (Google Scholar)     

Sabah Ghadimi (Google Scholar) 

Yaser Mohammadi  (Google Scholar)       

Akram Ranjbar (Google Scholar) 

Asieh Hosseini  (Google Scholar) 

Keywords

• Lactobacillus Acidophilus
• Zearalenone
• Testis
• Oxidative stress

Main Subjects

• Pharmacology