The abrogative effect of propolis on acrylamide-induced toxicity in male albino rats: Histological study

The present study investigated the toxic action of acrylamide (ACR) and the abrogative effect of aqueous propolis extract on ACR-induced toxicity in male albino rats. Forty adult male albino rats were randomly divided into four groups and administered the treatment doses orally by gavage. Control, treated with a physiological solution (5.0 ml/rat). ACR-treated group, treated with ACR 25 mg/kg. ACR + propolis, treated with 25 mg/kg ACR + 100 mg/kg propolis. Propolis-treated group, treated with 100 mg/kg. The treatment period was 28 days, the treatment doses were administered orally using a gavage stomach tube. The results showed that the presence of ACR increased (P < 0.001) the level of liver enzymes alanine aminotransferase (167.2 vs 90.15) and aspartate aminotransferase (120.66 vs 41.52) in the liver tissue serum and lipid peroxidation products (80.11 vs 39.3); also, it decreased (P < 0.001) the total capacity of antioxidants (113.4 vs 189.41) compared to the control group. The histological analysis of the kidney revealed alterations induced by ACR, including atrophy, necrosis, renal glomeruli atrophy, tubular necrosis, enlargement of the glomeruli, hemorrhage, and edema surrounding the blood vessels. Also, the results showed that the rats treated with propolis improved liver and kidney functions because of propolis's efficiency against the harmful effects of ACR. Moreover, the histological examination of the liver tissue revealed negative changes, with focal necrosis in hepatocytes. Microscopic examination showed tubular necrosis within the seminiferous tubules, sloughing, and desquamation of sperm cells into the lumen. Also, an infiltration of protein substances between the tubules and degenerative vacuolar changes between sperm cells was observed. The renal, hepatic, and testicular tissues appeared almost similar to the control group, except for some minor changes. This study proved that feeding the rats with propolis reduced these pathological effects and restored the tissues to a normal state. It is concluded that using propolis with ACR significantly reduced the biochemical and histological damage caused by ACR, and recommends using propolis as a cytoprotective agent against pathological toxicity of ACR.