Protection against cisplatin-induced ovarian damage by the antioxidant sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate (mesna) in female rats.
OBJECTIVE
The hypothesis was that the administration of the antioxidant mesna (sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate) during chemotherapy would protect ovaries against follicular damage.


METHODS
Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with saline solution, mesna-plus-cisplatin, or cisplatin. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the Müllerian inhibiting substance (MIS) positive follicles. Serum and ovarian MIS were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot analysis, respectively. Apoptosis in ovaries was studied by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transfer biotin-d UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay.


RESULTS
Immunofluorescence staining for MIS was higher in preantral follicles in the mesna-plus-cisplatin group. The ovarian and serum MIS levels were higher in the mesna-plus-cisplatin than in the cisplatin alone group. There were no differences statistically in the TUNEL and the ovarian cyst analyses.


CONCLUSIONS
Mesna, which was used at the time of cisplatin administration, protected ovaries against damage. The data that are presented challenge the existing clinical paradigm that gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists represent the only medical method for the protection of ovaries during chemotherapy. Alternative medical means to protect ovaries during chemotherapy may be achievable.
Yeh
John
J
Department of Gynecology-Obstetrics, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14222, USA. jyeh@buffalo.edu
Kim
Beom Su
BS
Peresie
Jennifer
J
D000818:Animals; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015080:Mesna / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006080:Ovarian Follicle; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D015080:Mesna; D002945:Cisplatin