Impact of Cannabidiol Oil and Prednisolone on Sex Hormones, Oxidative Stress Markers, Lipid Profile, and Testes Histology on Cadmium Induced Toxicity in Male Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of CBD oil and prednisone on reproductive indices and testicular oxidative stress markers in cadmium-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats. Forty rats weighing between 150g to 200g were assigned into 8 (1-8) five rats per group. Group 1 served as control, groups 2-8 received prednisolone(1mg/kg) bw; cadmium (1.5mg/kg); prednisolone (1mg/kg) +CBD-oil (0.2mg/kg); CBD-oil (0.2mg/kg) +cadmium (2mg/kg); prednisolone (3mg/kg) +cadmium (2mg/kg); CBD-oil(0.1mg/kg) and CBD-oil(0.2mg/kg) respectively. The administration was done using gavage for 14 days. Results revealed that testosterone significantly (p<0.05) increased in the prednisolone group than in the control group. However, all treated groups significantly decreased than the prednisolone group. Luteinizing hormone significantly increased in treated groups than in control. Follicle-stimulating hormone significantly increased in treated groups except the prednisolone group than in the control group.  Total cholesterol significantly decreased across groups than control. Triglyceride significantly increased in the treated groups than in the control. HDL-c significantly increased in CBD-oil (0.1ml) and (0.2ml) groups than control. LDL-c was significantly reduced in the treated groups than in the control.  Catalase revealed non-significant differences amongst groups than control. Superoxide dismutase significantly increased in prednisolone, pred+cadmium, CBD-oil (0.1ml), and CBD-oil (0.2ml) groups than control. Malondialdehyde significantly decreased in all treated groups than control. Glutathione peroxidase was significantly reduced in cadmium, pred+CBD-oil, CBD-oil (0.1ml) and CBD-oil (0.2ml) groups than control. Glutathione was significantly reduced in cadmium, pred+CBD-oil, CBD-oil (0.1ml), and CBD-oil (0.2ml) groups than control. Histology of testes revealed interstitial tissue fibrosis, numerous immature spermatozoa, vacuolization, and degeneration of Sertoli cells especially in prednisolone, pred+CBD-oil, CBD-oil (0.1ml), and CBD oil (0.2ml) groups. We conclude that CBD oil, prednisolone, and cadmium administration at different doses induced biochemical alterations, altered male reproductive hormones, and cytoarchitecture of testes. Therefore, if these results are applicable to humans, consumption of CBD oil and prednisolone should be taken with caution as they could alter male reproductive function.

Keywords: CBD oil, prednisolone, cadmium, Testosterone, malondialdehyde, catalase

DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/14-10-03

Publication date:July 31^st 2023