# Prophylactic role of omega 3 fatty acids in bisphenol F-induced sexual and erectile dysfunction is associated with penile redox homeostasis

## TL;DR

This study shows that omega-3 fatty acids can help prevent sexual and erectile dysfunction caused by the chemical BPF by restoring penile redox balance.

## Contribution

The study reveals a novel protective role of omega-3 fatty acids against BPF-induced penile redox imbalance and erectile dysfunction.

## Key findings

- BPF exposure caused sexual and erectile dysfunction in rats.
- BPF disrupted penile redox homeostasis and NO/cGMP signaling.
- O3FA co-treatment reversed BPF-induced erectile dysfunction and penile toxicity.

## Abstract

Bisphenol F (BPF) is an established environmental pollutant that has been shown to distort erectile function. However, the effect of BPF on penile redox homeostasis is not known. On the other hand, omega-3 fatty acids (O3FA) are known antioxidants with fertility-enhancing properties. Despite these abilities, the ameliorative effect of O3FA on BPF-induced penile redox imbalance is unknown. Hence, this study was designed to add to the existing body of knowledge by investigating the role of penile redox homeostasis on BPF-induced erectile dysfunction and the possible ameliorative effect of O3FA.

Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 5/group) after two weeks acclimatization period as follows: control group (.5 ml of corn oil), O3FA group (300mg/kg of O3FA), BPF group (30mg/kg of BPF), and the BPF + O3FA group (30 mg/kg of BPF + 300mg/kg of O3FA).

BPF exposure led to sexual and erectile dysfunction, which was accompanied by a disruption in erectogenic enzymatic activities and circulatory testosterone. These events were accompanied by the down-regulation of penile NO/cGMP signaling, oxido-inflammatory response, and penile histoarchitecture distortion. These observed BPF-induced distortions were ameliorated in animals that received O3FA co-treatment with BPF.

BPF-induced erectile dysfunction was associated with penile redox imbalance, and O3FA ameliorated BPF-induced penile toxicity.

Image 1

•BPF impaired male erectile functions.•This toxic effect is associated with penile redox imbalance and accompanied by XO/UA signaling.•O3FA attenuated BPF-induced sexual and erectile dysfunction.

BPF impaired male erectile functions.

This toxic effect is associated with penile redox imbalance and accompanied by XO/UA signaling.

O3FA attenuated BPF-induced sexual and erectile dysfunction.