Protective effect of Chlorella vulgaris on sub-chronic hepatic and testicular toxicity induced by acetamiprid in rats

Acetamiprid (ACMP) is a widely used neonicotinoid insecticide that has been linked to oxidative stress-induced toxicity and physiological changes in mammals. This study investigates ACMP-induced hepatic and testicular toxicity in rats and the potential protective role of Chlorella vulgaris ( C. vulgaris ), a green microalga used as an antioxidant against ACMP-induced toxicity. Thirty-two male rats were allocated into four groups of eight each, as follows: (1) The CTRL group received only water; (2) The ACMP group received 21.7 mg/kg body weight (BW) of ACMP; (3) The C. vulgaris group received 150 mg/kg BW; and (4) The combined group received the same previously mentioned doses of ACMP and C. vulgaris . All treatments were given daily by oral gavage for 9 weeks. After euthanasia, testicular sperm were recovered to evaluate sperm characteristics. Hepatic and testicular samples were collected for biochemical analysis, comet assay, and histopathological examination. The ACMP group had lower sperm characteristics and enzymatic antioxidants in hepatic and testicular tissues, concurrent with a significant elevation of hepatic and testicular malondialdehyde. Moreover, the ACMP group revealed a significant increase in DNA damage with marked histopathological changes in the liver and testis. On the contrary, co-administration of C. vulgaris with ACMP alleviated the adverse effects of ACMP in the liver and testis and restored most of the measured parameters to levels comparable to those of the CTRL group. In conclusion, this apparent protective role of C. vulgaris against ACMP-induced toxicity in rats may be due to its potent antioxidant properties.