The role of protocatechoic acid in regulating the effects of lead exposure on the male reproductive system

In this thesis, the regulatory effects of protocatechic acid (PCA), a nutritional antioxidant with phenolic acid structure, were investigated on the reproductive system of male rats exposed to Pb toxicity. In order to determine the oxidative stress caused by Pb exposure, ALAD, SOD, CAT, T-GSH, MDA parameters were biochemically measured. Sperm count and morphology analyzes were performed. Hormonally, FSH, LH, Testosterone values were measured. Single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) was applied to measure DNA damage. Light microscopic histological examination of testicular tissue was performed. In addition, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) as a marker of cell proliferation and BRCA1 as a marker of DNA repair level were visualized by indirect immunofluorescence method. Biochemical data revealed that the decreased endogenous antioxidant levels in the Pb group were supported and increased in the Pb+PCA group. Decreased testosterone and FSH levels in the Pb group were also observed to be regulated in the Pb+PCA group. The increase in BRCA1 level in both Pb and Pb+PCA groups was associated with the apoptotic function of the protein in the Pb group and with the DNA repair function in the Pb+PCA group. The fact that PCNA was heavily labeled in the Pb group and low labeled in the Pb+PCA group supports this idea. As a result, PCA is significantly and significantly effective in preventing lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, normalizing the levels of reproductive hormones, and maintaining the structure/function of testicular tissue with its antioxidant capacity, supporting and chelating properties, which decrease due to Pb exposure on the male reproductive system.