We assessed the individual and combined consequence of
3-indolepropionic acid on
aflatoxin B1-induced reproductive toxicity in rats. The experimental cohorts were dosed for four consecutive weeks with
aflatoxin B1 (50 μg/kg),
3-indolepropionic acid (50 mg/kg), and both (
aflatoxin B1: 50 μg/kg + 3-
indolepropionic acid: 25 or 50 mg/kg), and the untreated control. Following sacrifice,
biomarkers of testicular, epididymal and hypothalamic oxidative status, lipid peroxidation, reactive
oxygen and
nitrogen species,
nitric oxide levels and
myeloperoxidase activity were determined. Besides, tumour
necrosis factor-alpha, Bcl-2 and Bax
proteins were also assessed.
Aflatoxin B1-induced testicular, epididymal and hypothalamic oxidative stress was significantly alleviated with
3-indolepropionic acid co-treatment. Also, increases in
biomarkers of oxidative stress and reduced levels of
antioxidants were abated significantly in rats co-treated with
3-indolepropionic acid.
Aflatoxin B1-mediated increase in tumour
necrosis factor-alpha, Bax,
nitric oxide and
myeloperoxidase activity in the examined organs was decreased significantly in
aflatoxin B1 and
3-indolepropionic acid co-treated rats. Also,
3-indolepropionic acid dose dependently reduced Bcl-2 levels in the treated rats. The degree of
aflatoxin B1-induced histopathological
injuries was minimised in rats co-treated with
3-indolepropionic acid. Our results demonstrated that
3-indolepropionic acid protected experimental rats from
aflatoxin B1-induced oxido-inflammatory stress and apoptotic response in the examined organs.