A postulated role of testosterone for prevention of cisplatin gonadal toxicity

Protective effects of quercetin against testis damage caused by cisplatin

We investigated the effects of quercetin on cisplatin induced testicular toxicity using histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical methods. We used four groups of Wistar albino male: control, quercetin, cisplatin, cisplatin + quercetin. We measured tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase (CAT) biochemically. We assessed apoptosis as indicated by P63 immunoreactivity. Testis tissues of the control group exhibited normal histology. In the cisplatin group, the diameter of the seminiferous tubule and thickness of the germinal epithelium were decreased compared to the control group. In the cisplatin group, degeneration of the germinal epithelium, cell separation from the basal membrane, giant cell formation, cell loss, atrophy and vacuolization were observed in the seminiferous tubule. We found hyalinization around the seminiferous tubule, intertubule hyalinization and perivascular fibrosis. In the cisplatin + quercetin group, we found that quercetin decreased atrophy, giant cell formation and vacuolization significantly. We found that quercetin exhibited ameliorative effects following cisplatin induced testicular damage.

Antioxidative effect of royal jelly in cisplatin-induced testes damage

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the antioxidative effect of royal jelly on cisplatin (CP)-induced spermiotoxicity using quantitative, biochemical, and histopathologic approaches.

METHODS

CP was administered to rats at a single dose of 7 mg/kg i.p. Royal jelly was administered by gavage daily for 10 days at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. Traits of reproductive organs, such as sperm characteristics, testicular histologic findings, plasma testosterone levels, and testicular tissue oxidative stress status were determined.

RESULTS

Royal jelly ameliorated the CP-induced reductions in weights of testes, epididymides, seminal vesicles, and prostate along with epididymal sperm concentration and motility. An increase in testes malondialdehyde concentrations (P <.05) were detected, while significant decreases in superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione-peroxidase levels were noted in CP-alone group compared with control group. The administration of royal jelly to CP-treated rats decreased the malondialdehyde level and increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione-peroxidase activities in the samples.

CONCLUSIONS

The CP-induced changes in histopathologic findings of testis were partially reversed by treatment with royal jelly. The results provide further insight into the mechanisms of CP-induced sperm toxicity and confirm the antioxidant potential of royal jelly.

Preventive role of exogenous testosterone on cisplatin-induced gonadal toxicity: an experimental placebo-controlled prospective trial

OBJECTIVE

To test the preventive role of exogenous T on spermatogenesis after cisplatin chemotherapy.

DESIGN

Placebo-controlled study.

SETTING

The animal laboratory of a medical university.

ANIMAL(S)

Eighty-eight male BALB/c mice were divided into three groups; each group was subdivided into four groups.

INTERVENTION(S)

Subgroups a received two or three cycles of cisplatin (2.5 mg/kg for 5 days + 16 days of recovery), subgroups b received the same chemotherapy regimen with adjuvant high-dose T enanthate (5 mg/100 g body weight) starting 1 week before chemotherapy and repeated every 21 days during chemotherapy, subgroups c received only high-dose T enanthate at the same dosage and intervals; subgroups d received a placebo.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Testis spermatogenesis function was evaluated after 35 days (short term, group I) or 105 days (long term, groups II and III) of recovery, after the final dose of cisplatin, by histopathology and sperm count.

RESULT(S)

Testis tissue destruction and a significant dose-dependent decrease in spermatogenesis were identified in subgroups a. Both recovered partially during long-term recovery. Exogenous high-dose T caused damage to spermatogenesis, which was reversible (subgroups c). Adjuvant treatment with T had no additive long-term effect in animals treated with low-dose cisplatin (two cycles). However, a significant long-term preventive effect of T was seen in animals receiving high-dose cisplatin (three cycles).

CONCLUSION(S)

Hormonal intervention with exogenous T during chemotherapy had promising effects on spermatogenesis in mice receiving high-dose chemotherapy (regimens frequently used clinically). It had no additive long-term effects in animals receiving low-dose regimens.