Oralsodium Nitrite Enhanced Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Cytokines Levels in Testicular Tissue

Building bases of scientific evidence about nitrite in humans continues to oppose the general safety in human health. Therefore, we investigate the testicular tissue inflammation caused by oral administration of sodium nitrite. Twenty adult male SD rats were used. Ten rats received oral 80mg/kg sodium nitrite daily for twelve weeks; the other rats were left as negative control. Testis were weighed and the testicular tissue homogenates were used for measurements of Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione, Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α and Interleukin (IL)-1β. Sodium nitrite resulted in significant increase in testis weight and Gonado-Somatic index as well as testicular tissue level of MDA, TNF-α and IL-1β. Moreover, oral sodium nitrite resulted in significant reduction in testicular tissue concentration of reduced glutathione. In conclusion, chronic oral sodium nitrite induced changes in the weight of rat testis accompanied by elevation in the testicular tissue level of oxidative stress markers and inflammatory cytokines.