Protective role of Codiaeum variegatum against genotoxicity induced by carmustine in somatic and germ cells of male mice

Genotoxicity, DNA damage and sperm defects induced by vinblastine

BACKGROUND

The treatment with chemotherapy may develop secondary tumors as a result of chemo genotoxicity. Sperm defects is another complication associated with chemo treatment. In this study the genotoxicity of vinblastine (VB) was estimated in both somatic and germ cells.

MATERIALS

85 mice were taken. Four single doses of VB at 3, 4.5, 6 and 10 mg/kg and three successive doses at 3, 4.5 and 6 mg/kg were taken for estimation of chromosomal aberrations (CAs). Four single doses of VB were involved in estimating the DNA fragmentation, and comet assay. For sperm abnormalities mice were injected with three successive doses of VB at 3, 4.5, and 6 mg/kg.

RESULTS

The results demonstrated a significant frequency of DNA fragmentation in spleen cells and in the percentage of CAs in bone marrow. Numerical and structural aberrations were recorded with a pronounced number of polyploidy metaphases which reached (11.60%) after treatment with 6 mg/kg for three successive days vs zero for control. VB also induced a significant percentage of CAs in spermatocytes in the form of univalent. Sperm defects in the form of coiled tail, absence of acrosome and shapeless head and a significant DNA damage in the testes were recorded. The frequency of sperm abnormalities reached 11.06 ± 0.14 after treatment with highest tested dose (6 mg/kg) vs 3.04 ± 0.19 for control.

CONCLUSION

VB is genotoxic in somatic and germ cells. Sperm defects induced by VB are of serious concern to future generations and may affect the fertility of cancer survivors.