Abstract:

Objective: To study the protective effect of polydatin on oxidative stress damage induced by cadmium in the
testis of mice. Methods: Forty male mice were randomly divided into five groups including negative control group, cadmium
(Cd) group, and polydatin-protected groups (25, 50 and 100 mg/(kg·d) polydatin). Oxidative stress damage was induced
by 2 mg/kg cadmium chloride on the testis in mice from the Cd group and polydatin-protected groups on the 1st day of the
experiment. On the same day, the mice treated with cadmium except those from the Cd group were subjected to intragastric
administration of polydatin at doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/(kg·d). The experiment lasted one week. Testis organ coefficient,
the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the contents of MDA and 8-hydroxy-
2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were examined on testis in each group. Moreover testis tissue morphology was examined by
HE. Results: Testis organ coefficient was decreased, and pathological observations of testis exhibited serious damage with
degeneration, necrosis and decreased number of seminiferous cells in mice from the Cd group, while testis organ coefficient
was enhanced. The damage was slighter in the testis of mice treated with polydatin. Compared with the control group, the
activities of SOD and GSH-Px were decreased remarkably, and the contents of MDA and 8-OHdG were enhanced in the
testis of mice from the Cd group (P < 0.01). However, compared with the Cd group, testis organ coefficient and the activity
of SOD were enhanced significantly in the testis of mice treated with 50 and 100 mg/(kg·d) polydatin (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01),
and the activity of GSH-Px was enhanced significantly in the testis of mice treated with 25, 50 and 100 mg/(kg·d) polydatin
(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Moreover, the levels of MDA and 8-OHdG were decreased significantly in the testis of mice treated
with 25, 50 and 100 mg/(kg·d) polydatin (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Conclusion: Polydatin has ameliorative effect on testis lipid
peroxidation, and can act as a protector to inhibit DNA damage induced by cadmium.

Key words: polydatin, cadmium, testis damage, oxidative stress