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Ujah GA, Nna VU, Suleiman JB, Eleazu C, Nwokocha C, Rebene JA, Imowo MU, Obi EO, Amachree C, Udechukwu EC, Mohamed M. Tert-butylhydroquinone attenuates doxorubicin-induced dysregulation of testicular cytoprotective and steroidogenic genes, and improves spermatogenesis in rats. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5522. [PMID: 33750916 PMCID: PMC7970903 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-85026-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Doxorubicin (DOX) is a broad-spectrum chemotherapeutic drug used in the treatment of cancers. It acts by generating reactive oxygen species in target cells. The actions are, however, not limited to cancerous cells as it attacks healthy cells, killing them. This study investigated the benefits of the antioxidant, tert-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ), on testicular toxicity following DOX therapy. Twenty-four adult male albino rats were assigned randomly into four groups (n = 6), namely: normal control (NC), tBHQ, DOX and tBHQ + DOX groups. tBHQ (50 mg/kg body weight in 1% DMSO) was administered orally for 14 consecutive days, while a single DOX dose (7 mg/kg body weight) was administered intraperitoneally on Day 8. DOX decreased sperm count, motility and viability, and decreased the levels of steroidogenesis-related proteins, and reproductive hormones. Furthermore, DOX decreased the expression of antioxidant cytoprotective genes, and decreased the protein level of proliferating cell nuclear antigen in the testis. Conversely, DOX increased the expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic genes in the testis. These negative effects were ameliorated following the intervention with tBHQ. Our results suggest that tBHQ protects the testis and preserves both steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in DOX-treated rats through the suppression of oxidative stress, inflammation and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Godwin Adakole Ujah
- Department of Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
| | - Victor Udo Nna
- Department of Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.
| | - Joseph Bagi Suleiman
- Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
- Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwana, Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Chinedum Eleazu
- Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria
| | - Chukwuemeka Nwokocha
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences (Physiology Section), The University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica
| | - Joy Assima Rebene
- Department of Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
| | - Michael Umana Imowo
- Department of Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
| | - Emmanuel Ochui Obi
- Department of Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
| | - Charlette Amachree
- Department of Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
| | - Evarest Chigozie Udechukwu
- Department of Physiology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Calabar, P.M.B. 1115, Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria
| | - Mahaneem Mohamed
- Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
- Unit of Integrative Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150, Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia.
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