Toxicity of furan on testis in diabetic rats and protective role of lycopene

Furan (C4H4O) is a heat-induced food contaminant and utilized as a chemical agent in industry. Lycopene is a natural substance produced by plants and tomato. The aim of this study was to investigate the furan toxicity on testes and the protective effect of lycopene in diabetic rats. Diabetes was generated with 55 mg/kg single dose streptozotocin (STZ). 2 days after injection, blood samples were taken glucose levels were measured. Male Wistar–Albino rats were utilized to form five groups: Group 1 (control group), 1 ml/kg corn oil was given. Group 2 (diabetic control group), 55 mg/kg STZ and 1 ml/kg corn oil were administered. Group 3 (diabetic furan group), 55 mg/kg STZ and 40 mg/kg furan were given. Group 4 (diabetic lycopene group), 55 mg/kg STZ and 4 mg/kg lycopene were given. Group 5 (diabetic furan + lycopene group), 55 mg/kg STZ, 40 mg/kg furan and 4 mg/kg lycopene were administered. At the end of 28 days' period, testes were extirpated in all groups. In testicular tissue samples, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and reducted glutathione (GST) were studied. Serum FSH, LH and testosterone levels were measured. Histopathologic examination was performed by light microscopic findings. MDA levels and enzymatic activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, GST were significantly higher in furan group than control and diabetic control groups (p<0.05). MDA levels and enzymatic activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, GST were significantly lower in furan+likopen group than furan only group (p<0.05). When control group and diabetic control group were compared, low blood testosterone levels in rats which furan applied suggested that an endocrinological defect and cellular degenerative changes. In conclusion, lycopene might be effective to reverse furan toxicity in diabetic rat testes. Key Words: Furan, rat, testis, toxicity, lycopene, diabetes mellitus.