Effect of Bromelain on Apparent Abnormalities Induced by Bisphenol A in Rat Fetus

Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) has been associated with adverse birth outcomes. Bromelain belongs to a group of protein digesting enzymes obtained commercially from the fruit or stem of pineapple. It is known to possess antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects and to protect against oxidative stress in experimental models. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of bromelain and vitamin E (a well-known antioxidant) on apparent abnormalities of bisphenol A in rat model.
In this experimental study, 34 pregnant rats were divided into 6 groups. Control group received olive oil gavage and test groups received bisphenol A (300 mg/kg, gavage), bromelain (40 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), bisphenol A plus bromelain (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), bisphenol A plus bromelain (40 mg/kg, intraperitoneal), and bisphenol A (300 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) plus vitamin E (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) at 6th-15th days of gestation. Fetuses were collected at 20th day of gestation and after determination of weight and length, they were evaluated for apparent abnormalities.
Findings: The mean weight and length of fetuses received bisphenol A were 1.20 ± 0.49 g and 21.76± 3.33 mm, respectively, that significantly were less than other groups; but bromelain improved them, as same as vitamin E. In apparent evaluation of fetuses, only exencephaly was seen in 21.42 percent of fetuses in bisphenol A group and 5.4 percent of fetuses in bisphenol A plus bromelain (10 mg/kg) group, while it was not seen in the other groups.
Regardless of protective mechanism of bromelain, results of this study showed that bromelain can decrease apparent abnormalities of bisphenol A.