The Effects of Apricot Kernels and Pure Amygdalin on the Structural, Oxidative, and Inflammatory Characteristics of Rabbit Testicular Tissue

Abstract

Background: Apricot kernels containing amygdalin (AMG) as the major cyanogenic glycoside are potentially useful as a complementary therapy for the management of several ailments including cancer. Nevertheless, little is known regarding the toxic and therapeutic doses of AMG, particularly in terms of male reproduction. Hence, this study evaluates selected qualitative characteristics of rabbit testicular tissue following in vivo administration of AMG or apricot kernels for 28 days. Methods: The rabbits were randomly divided into five groups (Control, P1, P2, P3, P4). The Control received no AMG/apricot kernels while the experimental groups P1 and P2 received a daily intramuscular injection of amygdalin at a dose of 0.6 and 3.0 mg/kg of body weight (b.w.) for 28 days, respectively. P3 and P4 received a daily dose of 60 and 300 mg/kg b.w. of crushed apricot kernels mixed with feed for 28 days, respectively. Changes to the testicular structure were quantified morphometrically, while tissue lysates were subjected to the evaluation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, total antioxidant capacity, activities of antioxidant enzymes, and glutathione concentration. The extent of damage to the proteins and lipids was quantified as well. Levels of selected cytokines were determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay while a luminometric approach was used to assess the activity of caspases. Results: Rabbits treated with 3.0 mg/kg b.w. AMG presented a significantly increased protein oxidation (p = 0.0118) accompanied by a depletion of superoxide dismutase (p = 0.0464), catalase (p = 0.0317), and glutathione peroxidase (p = 0.0002). Significantly increased levels of interleukin-1 beta (p = 0.0012), tumor necrosis factors alpha (p = 0.0159), caspase-3/7 (p = 0.0014), and caspase-9 (p = 0.0243) were also recorded in the experimental group P2 when compared to the Control. No effects were observed in the rabbits treated with apricot kernels at the oxidative, inflammatory, and histopathological levels. Conclusions: Apricot kernels did not induce toxicity in the testicular tissues of male rabbits, unlike pure AMG, which had a negative effect on male reproductive structures carried out through oxidative, inflammatory, and pro-apoptotic mechanisms.

Keywords

• amygdalin
• apricot kernels
• rabbits
• testes
• histology
• oxidative stress
• inflammation
• caspases