Eugenol mitigated acute lung but not spermatic toxicity of C60 fullerene emulsion in mice

C-60 fullerene (C-60) is a nano-pollutant that can damage the respiratory system. Eugenol exhibits significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We aimed to investigate the time course of C-60 emulsion-induced pulmonary and spermatic harms, as well as the effect of eugenol on C-60 emulsion toxicity. The first group of mice (protocol 1) received intratracheally C-60 emulsion (1.0 mg/kg BW) or vehicle and were tested at 12, 24, 72 and 96 h (F groups) thereafter. The second group of mice (protocol 2) received intratracheally C-60 emulsion or vehicle, 1 h later were gavaged with eugenol (150 mg/kg) or vehicle, and experiments were done 24 h after instillation. Lung mechanics, morphology, redox markers, cytokines and epididymal spermatozoa were analyzed. Protocol 1: Tissue damping (G) and elastance (H) were significantly higher in F24 than in others groups, except for H in F72. Morphological and inflammatory parameters were worst at 24 h and subsequently declined until 96 h, whereas redox and spermatic parameters worsened over the whole period. Eugenol eliminated the increase in G, H, cellularity, and cytokines, attenuated oxidative stress induced by C-60 exposure, but had no effect on sperm. Hence, exposure to C-60 emulsion deteriorated lung morphofunctional, redox and inflammatory characteristics and increased the risk of infertility. Furthermore, eugenol avoided those changes, but did not prevent sperm damage. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Exposure to C-60 emulsion deteriorates lung morphofunctional, redox, and inflammatory characteristics, increasing the risk of infertility. Eugenol can avoid these changes, but does not prevent sperm damage.