The concentration of Pb (ppm) in the testis revealed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the toxic control groups kinase inhibitor Vandetanib 3 and 5, as compared to NAC treated groups 6 and 8, while it was not detectable in groups 1, 2, 4 and 7. Whereas the concentration of Cd (ppm) revealed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the toxic control groups 4 and 5 as compared to in NAC treated groups 7 and 8, while it was not detectable in groups 1, 2, 3 and 6. The histopathology of testis in group 3 showed degenerated seminiferous tubules and reduced number of leydig cells [Figure 1], group 4 revealed degenerated seminiferous tubules and very few number of leydig cells [Figure 2], group 5 revealed hemorrhages, interstitial edema, degeneration of tubules and few tubules have full spermatozoa and some are lacking [Figure 3].
The NAC treated group 6 showed mild changes in and around tubules [Figure 4], 7 revealed mild degeneration and separation of tubules [Figure 5] and 8 showed almost normal architecture [Figure 6] when compared with their respective toxic control groups at the end of the 3rd month. Figure 1 Photomicrograph of testis showing degenerated seminiferous tubules and reduced number of leydig cells (H and E ��200) (Group 3) Figure 2 Photomicrograph of testis degenerated seminiferous tubules and very few number of leydig cells (H and E ��200) (Group 4) Figure 3 Photomicrograph of testis showing hemorrhagic, interstitial edema degeneration of tubules and few tubules have full spermatozoa and some are lacking. (H and E ��200) (Group 5) Figure 4 Photomicrograph of testis showing mild changes in and around tubules.
(H and E ��200) (Group 6) Figure 5 Photomicrograph of testis showing mild degeneration and separation of tubules. (H and E ��200) (Group 7) Figure 6 Photomicrograph of testis showing almost normal architecture. (H and E ��200) (Group 8) DISCUSSION The biomarkers of oxidative stress (GSH, GST, TBARS and protein carbonyls) were studied in testis to evaluate the extent of free radical-induced damage due to the toxic heavy metals. An imbalance between pro-oxidants and anti-oxidants, in favor of the pro-oxidants, results in oxidative stress associated with oxidative modification of bio-molecules such as lipids, proteins and nucleic acids.[21] The present study revealed significantly decreased (P < 0.05) concentration of GSH in toxic co exposed control group 5 as compared to individual exposed Pb and Cd groups 3 and 4.
Similarly, a decreased concentration of GST was observed in Pb and Cd combination group 5, whereas the concentration of TBARS and Carfilzomib protein carbonyls revealed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in toxic co exposed control group 5. Protein carbonyls found increased significantly (P < 0.05) when compared to individual exposed groups 3 and 4 and activity of TBARS did not show any significant change as compared to individual toxic control group.