Satya P. Srivastava

Lead and cadmium concentration in the seminal plasma of men in the general population: correlation with sperm quality

The concentration of lead and cadmium in the seminal plasma of men in the general population, including fertile and infertile subjects, was measured. Semen samples were categorised as demonstrating oligospermia (sperm concentration < 20 x 10(6)/ml), asthenospermia (<50% motilesperm), oligoasthenospermia (a combination of the two criteria), and azoospermia (no sperm). An increase in lead and cadmium levels was observed in infertile men and there was a significant negative correlation of cadmium and lead semen concentration with sperm motility and sperm concentration in oligoasthenospermic men.

Effect of lead exposure on the immune response of some occupationally exposed individuals

Lead is a ubiquitous pollutant in the industrial environment, which poses serious threats to human health. In the past 20 years increasing attention has been paid to the effects of lead exposure on health. This toxic metal alters the immune response of animals as well as humans. To study the immunological effects of occupational exposure to lead, we examined lymphocyte proliferation, natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and interferon-gamma production with peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of individuals occupationally exposed to lead. We selected three different groups of individuals exposed to lead: three-wheeler drivers (30), battery workers (34) and silver jewelery makers (20); and unexposed healthy volunteers (30) as control for comparison. Our results indicate that though lymphocyte proliferation to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) is inhibited in lead exposed individuals as compared with unexposed volunteers, there is no correlation between inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation and blood lead level. NK cell cytotoxicity remains unaffected in individuals exposed to lead as compared with controls. On the other hand, we observed that interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was significantly elevated in T cell mitogen, PHA, stimulated PBMCs culture supernatant of lead exposed individuals. We found significant positive correlation between blood lead levels and IFN-gamma produced in culture supernatant on stimulation with PHA. In brief, this study demonstrates that lead can affect the immune response of the occupationally exposed individuals such as three-wheeler drivers, battery reconditioning workers and silver jewelery makers.

Effect of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) on spermatogenesis in adult rats

Oral administration of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) in doses of 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg to adult rats for 15 days caused a significant dose dependent decrease in the sperm count of the epididymal spermatozoa. The activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (gamma GT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was significantly increased in the animals of the treated groups. An increase in the activity of beta-glucuronidase and decrease in the activity of acid phosphatase was also observed at the highest dose of DEHP. The activity of sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) was found to be decreased in the animals exposed to 1000 and 2000 mg/kg of DEHP. These results suggest that DEHP can affect spermatogenesis by altering the activities of the enzymes responsible for the maturation of sperms. The reduced number of sperms may be responsible for the antifertilic effects of DEHP.

Enhancement of lipid peroxidation in rat liver on acute exposure to styrene and acrylamide a consequence of glutathione depletion.

Lipid peroxidation, glutathione level and activity of glutathione-S-transferase were studied in liver and brain of rats 4 and 3 h after a single i.p. administration of 0, 25, 75, 100 mg/kg acrylamide or 0, 50, 100, 200, 600 mg/kg styrene, respectively. In liver both acrylamide and styrene caused an increase in lipid peroxidation and decrease in glutathione contents and activity of glutathione-S-transferase in a dose dependent manner, while in brain only acrylamide produced a decrease in glutathione content. The decrease in glutathione content was not always associated with increase of lipid peroxidation. The enhancement of lipid peroxidation occurred only when glutathione contents were depleted to certain critical levels. No effect of acrylamide or styrene was seen on lipid peroxidation under in vitro conditions. The addition of glutathione in the incubation mixture significantly inhibited the rate of lipid peroxidation of liver homogenates of acrylamide and styrene treated animals. The results suggest that enhancement of lipid peroxidation in liver on exposure to acrylamide or styrene is a consequence of depletion of glutathione to certain critical levels. The inhibition of glutathione-S-transferase activity by acrylamide and styrene suggests that detoxication of these neurotoxic compounds could be suppressed following acute exposure.

Effect of styrene on levels of serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine and activity of acetyl cholinesterase and monoamine oxidase in rat brain

Oral intubation of styrene (1 ml/kg body weight daily) in adult male albino rats for 15 days produced a significant increase in serotonin and noradrenaline but no change in dopamine contents in brain. The brain of treated animals also showed a significant decrease in monoamine oxidase (MAO) but no change in acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) activity. The neurotoxic effects of styrene may be mediated through alterations in levels of these biogenic amines in the brain tissue.

Testicular effects of di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP): Biochemical and histopathological alterations

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) was administered to young male rats by gavage at the doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight/day for 15 days. A significant decrease in testes weight was observed at 500 and 1000 mg/kg doses of DBP. Histopathological examination revealed marked degeneration of seminiferous tubules. The activities of testicular enzymes associated with postmeiotic spermatogenic cells, such as sorbitol dehydrogenase and acid phosphatase, were decreased significantly, while that of lactate dehydrogenase was significantly increased, coincident with degeneration of spermatogenic cells. The activities of enzymes associated with premeiotic spermatogenic cells, Sertoli cells or interstitial cells, β-glucuronidase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were significantly increased. Thus the alterations in activity of these testicular cell specific enzymes suggest that DBP exposure during early life could affect the testicular functions.

Effect of testosterone on the testicular atrophy caused by di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP).

The involvement of testosterone in di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) induced testicular injury has been examined by coadministration of testosterone (1 mg/kg) along with DEHP (2000 mg/kg) daily for 15 days. The coadministration of testosterone and DEHP appears to have prevented the testicular injury as judged by the biochemical and histopathological changes. The sperm count and the activity of the testicular enzymes, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH), beta-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase, related with the maturation of sperm, which were significantly altered by DEHP treatment were found to be within normal levels after the combination treatment of DEHP and testosterone. The histopathological studies also showed more or less normal spermatogenic events. The results of this study have suggested the involvement of testosterone in DEHP induced testicular atrophy.

Effect of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate on 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity in testis of rat

The purpose of the present study was to demonstrate the effects of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) on 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta-HSD) activity in the testis of adult rat. DEHP was administered to rats by gavage at doses of 250, 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg body wt./d for 15 days. The absolute and relative weights of testes were significantly decreased only at the highest dose level. The activity of 17 beta-HSD was decreased in animals exposed to 1000 and 2000 mg/kg of DEHP. The data suggest that DEHP may affect testicular steroidogenesis adversely.

Effect of styrene on dopamine receptors

Styrene is widely used in the manufacture of polystyrene, styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene resin, and fiberglass (MARK et al. 1969). The principal human effects of exposure to styrene are irritation of the eyes, nose, and respiratory tract (STEWART et al. 1968; SPENCER et al. 1942). Neurotoxicity of styrene involving central and peripheral nervous systems has been reported in industrial workers (LEIBMAN 1975; LORIMER et al. 1976). Workers handling the monomer have been found to show decreased nerve conduction velocity and electrocephalographic changes (RUTH et al. 1978). Besides the industrial workers, general population can also be exposed to styrene due to the leaching of the unreacted monomer (WIETHY 1976). Thus, exposure to styrene can occur through inhalation as well orally.

Effect of styrene administration on rat testis

Styrene was administered through gavage to adult male rats for 60 days. At the lower dose of 200 mg/ kg/day no overt signs of testicular toxicity were observed, while at the higher dose of 400 mg/kg/day activities of some marker enzymes for testicular function were found to be altered significantly, along with a decrease in spermatozoa number. Histopathological studies revealed marked degeneration of seminiferous tubules and lumen devoid of sperms, further confirming testicular toxicity of styrene. The present study suggests an overall sensitivity of the male reproductive system towards styrene exposure.