Systematic Review of Acrylamide-Induced Toxicity and Oxidative Stress in Humans and Animals: Antioxidant Strategies for Male Reproductive Dysfunction

Abstract

Food contaminant acrylamide (AA), a byproduct of heat and also a component of tobacco smoke, is metabolized to glycidamide (GA) which have been shown to induce male reproductive toxicity by mechanisms that can largely be described as a consequence of oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunctions. As demonstrated in published literature, AA exposure greatly enhances lipid peroxidation and decreases the activity of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione, which cause testicular damage, apoptosis, hormonal imbalance and inhibition of sperm activity. Associations between biomarkers of acrylamide exposure and low semen quality are also reported in public health. Therefore, due to confounding factors, causal interpretation is not possible. The protective effects have indicated that several antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, zinc, selenium, melatonin, N-acetylcysteine, coenzyme Q10 and different polyphenolic compounds on the toxicity of AA-induced testicular and sperm injury through the restoration of redox balance, maintenance of hormonal balance and the enhancement of sperm parameters. Collectively, existing literature supports oxidative stress as a central mechanism in acrylamide-mediated reproductive dysfunctions and highlights antioxidants as potential therapeutic agents, though further controlled clinical studies are required to establish standardized treatment strategies, effective dosages and translational relevance to human male fertility.