Differential expression of androgen and estrogen receptors in PCB (Aroclor 1254)-exposed rat ventral prostate: Impact of alpha-tocopherol

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are environmental toxicants, which affect male fertility by altering the androgen and estrogen levels. PCB-induced toxic manifestations are associated with the production of reactive oxygen species. Vitamin E (α-tocopherol) is a major lipophilic chain breaking antioxidant, which protects polyunsaturated fatty acids in tissues against peroxidation, a property that could be beneficial in the male reproductive biology. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of α-tocopherol on PCB (Aroclor 1254)-induced changes in androgen receptor (AR) and estrogen receptors (ERs) expression in Wistar rat ventral prostate. Rats were divided into 3 groups of 6 animals each. Group I rats were administered corn oil (vehicle) intraperitoneally (i.p.); Group II rats were treated with 2 mg kg−1 day−1 of PCB (i.p.); Group III rats were treated with 2 mg kg−1 day−1 of PCB (i.p.) along with simultaneous oral supplementation of 50 mg kg−1 day−1 of α-tocopherol. Serum testosterone and estradiol titers were assayed. Prostatic acid phosphatase activity (PAcP), citric acid concentration, generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid peroxides (LPO) were estimated. mRNA and protein expression of AR, ER-α and ER-β in ventral prostate were quantified. Serum testosterone, estradiol, PAcP, citric acid levels, AR and ER-α expressions were significantly decreased while H2O2 generation, LPO, ER-β were increased in PCB-exposed animals. Simultaneous supplementation of α-tocopherol in PCB-exposed rats resulted in significant restoration of all the parameters to the control. The results suggest that α-tocopherol has definite protective effect against PCB-induced toxicity in ventral prostatic dysfunction.