Extra Virgin Olive Oil Protects the Testis and Blood from the Toxicity of Paracetamol (Overdose) in Adult Male Rats

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In rats, as in humans, paracetamol drug is used for analgesic and antipyretic therapy. Overdoses or long-term use of paracetamol cause toxicity effects in the body organs. Extra virgin olive oil has beneficial effects on health, offering protection against immunotoxicity, genotoxicity, and cytotoxicity. This study investigates the protective effect of Extra virgin olive oil against blood toxicity and testis toxicity induced by paracetamol overdose in rats. The histological, ultrastructural, and biochemical results obtained in the present study showed the protected effect of the antioxidant and phenolic components in Extra virgin olive oil against toxicity induced by Paracetamol overdose. ABSTRACT: Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is important in people’s daily diets. Paracetamol is a widely used analgesic and antipyretic drug. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of EVOO against hematotoxicity and testicular toxicity induced by paracetamol overdose in rats. Forty rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 rats were given water (control), Group 2 rats were given oral EVOO daily (2 mL/kg b.wt.), Group 3 rats were given oral paracetamol daily (650 mg/kg b.wt.), and Group 4 rats were given paracetamol and EVOO daily. After 15 days, blood and testis samples were collected for biochemical, histological, and ultrastructural studies. The results show that paracetamol decreased the PCV, Hb, and RBC counts relative to the control, and significantly increased the WBC counts and stab cells in Group 3. A significant decrease in blood testosterone was found in Group 3 compared to the control, while a significant increase in testosterone levels was observed in Group 4 compared to Group 3. Light and electron microscopy showed disorganized seminiferous tubules in Group 3. The testis in Group 4 appeared in normal shape. In conclusion, the results indicate that EVOO protects the testis and blood from paracetamol toxicity and may also increase fertility in male rats.