Abstract
Occupational and ecological contacts to lead persist as a universal concern. Lead alters most of the physiological processes via enhancing oxidative stress. Thus, this study was purposed to assess the influence of turmeric (TMRC) and/or vitamin C (VIT‐C) on Lead diacetate (Lead diAC)‐induced testicular atrophy with an emphasis on oxidative stress, inflammation, BAX/STAR and GRP‐78/17β‐HSD signalling. Rats were injected with Lead diAC and then treated with TMRC and/or VIT‐C orally for 1 week. Lead diAC decreased serum testosterone and testicular glutathione levels. It also decreased superoxide dismutase activity. On the contrary, levels of malondialdehyde, tumour necrosis factor‐α, IL‐1β and caspase‐3 were increased. mRNA levels and protein expressions of GRP‐78 and BAX were upregulated, while the expression of both steroidogenic acute regulatory protein and 17β‐HSD were downregulated. DNA fragmentation was increased as well. These changes were further confirmed by histopathological findings. Supplementation with TMRC and/or VIT‐C ameliorated all of the above parameters. In Conclusion: TMRC or VIT‐C specially in combination group prevents Lead diAC testicular damage via reduction of oxidative injury as well as inflammation, downregulation of GRP‐78/BAX and upregulation of 17β‐HSD and STAR expression as well as improvement in the histological architecture of the testis.