Folic acid protects against fluoride-induced oxidative stress and testicular damage in rats

Objective:To investigate the effects of folic acid on testicular oxidative damage in sodium fluoride-induced male Wistar rats.Methods:A total of 24 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups:the control,sodium fluoride(fed with 100 mg/L sodium fluoride through drinking water orally for 21 days),folic acid(36μg/kg body weight/day,orally),and sodium fluoride plus folic acid(received similar dose orally)groups.At the end of 21 days,epididymal sperm parameters,biochemical analysis of testicular tissue,and serum hormonal levels were performed along with histopathological studies.Results:Sodium fluoride intoxication resulted in marked reduction in gonado somatic index,serum luteinizing hormone,and testosterone level along with 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase and 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities.In addition,reduction in sperm density,as well as loss of sperm motility and sperm viability,were also observed.Besides,increased levels of testicular malondialdehyde,nitrite,interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α as well as decreased levels of superoxide dismutase and catalase activities and reduced glutathione content were found to be associated with this toxicity.Folic acid co-treatment,on the other hand,could prevent all the sodium fluoride-induced testicular pathophysiology and oxidative stress related parameters.Histological examinations of testicular sections from the experimental rats supported these results.Conclusions:Combining all,this study suggests that being an antioxidant,folic acid plays a beneficial role against fluoride-induced adverse effects on the male reproductive system.