Vitamin C Ameliorated Perfluorooctanoic Acid -Induced Thyroid and Testicular Dysfunction in Adult Male Rats

Abstract

This study aimed at investigating the ameliorative potentials of vitamin C in mitigating the negative consequences of long-term exposure to Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) on the thyroid gland and testis of rats. Perfluorooctanoic is a member of widely used chemicals called Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). For this purpose, a total of thirty mature male Wistar rats were divided randomly into five groups of equal size (6 rats per group): the normal control group, the sham group, the vitamin C control group, the PFOA treated group, and the PFOA-vitamin C treated group. Rats orally received 20 mg/kg of PFOA dissolved in Phosphate Buffer Saline for 60 days showed marked pathological alterations in thyroid and testis structure and functions. This reflected biochemically by significant decrease of thyroid hormones level, low free, total testosterone levels, significant increase of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and estradiol levels in comparison with normal control group. The therapeutic group which orally received PFOA for 60 days then received 10 mg/kg of vitamin C dissolved in normal saline for 30 successive days showed marked improvement and regeneration of damaged thyroid and testicular tissues. This affirmed by histopathological findings of thyroid and testicular tissues. Overall, we recommend using vitamin C to mitigate the damage caused by long-term exposure to PFOA.