Protective effects of green tea polyphenols against benzo[a]pyrene-induced reproductive and trans-generational toxic effects in Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes)

In order to investigate the protective effect of green tea polyphenols (GTP) on benzo[a]pyrene (BaP)-induced reproductive and trans-generational toxicity, Japanese Medaka was injected intraperitoneally with BaP alone and co-injected with both BaP and GTP of different concentrations, respectively. Exposure to BaP alone significantly suppressed fecundity, fertilization success, and egg diameter/protein content and markedly induced deformation ratio in F1 generation. However, GTP could help recover reproductive functions, egg quality suppressed by BaP and reduced deformation ratio. VTG-1, a molecular marker of reproductive toxicity, was significantly down-regulated in females exposed to BaP, but a dose-dependent increase was observed in co-exposed groups. Up-regulation of GSH-Px, dose-dependent decrease of CYP1A1, and the GST expression inhibited by BaP was recovered and even markedly up-regulated in the co-exposure groups. These findings show promising protective effects of GTP against BaP-induced reproductive and trans-generational toxicity.