Potential chemoprotective effect of melatonin in cyclophosphamide- and cisplatin-induced testicular damage in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of melatonin on cyclophosphamide (CP)- and cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity with use of sperm parameters and biochemical and histopathologic approaches.


METHODS
Experimental study.


METHODS
Vakif Gureba Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.


METHODS
Six-week-old adult male Wistar albino rats (N = 48).


METHODS
Cyclophosphamide was administered to rats by gavage at a single dose of 100 mg/kg body weight, only once. Cisplatin was injected intraperitoneally at single doses of 7 mg/kg/d for five consecutive days. Melatonin was both administered separately and coadministered with CP and cisplatin intraperitoneally at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight.


METHODS
Body and testicular weight, epididymal sperm characteristics, plasma T, and histopathologic structure of the testicular tissue were determined. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity were assessed in testicular tissue.


RESULTS
Body and testicular weight, epididymal sperm count, motility and morphology, plasma T levels, the activities of GSH-Px, and GSH levels were significantly decreased whereas the level of MDA was significantly increased in rats of the CP and cisplatin group. Melatonin treatment increased GSH levels and GSH-Px activity, decreased MDA level in testicular tissue, and increased plasma T level. Cyclophosphamide and cisplatin caused irregular seminiferous tubules, reduction of seminiferous epithelial layers, significant maturation arrest, and perivascular fibrosis. Melatonin significantly improved histopathologic changes.


CONCLUSIONS
Melatonin may prevent CP- and cisplatin-induced testicular damage.
Ilbey
Yusuf Ozlem
YO
Department of Urology, Bezm-i Alem Valide Sultan Vakıf Gureba Research and Education Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: ozlemyusufilbey@hotmail.com.
Ozbek
Emin
E
Department of Urology, Bezm-i Alem Valide Sultan Vakıf Gureba Research and Education Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Simsek
Abdulmuttalip
A
Department of Urology, Bezm-i Alem Valide Sultan Vakıf Gureba Research and Education Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Otunctemur
Alper
A
Department of Urology, Bezm-i Alem Valide Sultan Vakıf Gureba Research and Education Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
Cekmen
Mustafa
M
Department of Biochemistry, Kocaeli University, Istanbul, Turkey.
Somay
Adnan
A
Department of Pathology, Bezm-i Alem Valide Sultan Vakıf Gureba Research and Education Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000494:pharmacology; D005355:Fibrosis; D005978:Glutathione / Q000378:metabolism; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008550:Melatonin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D023421:Models, Animal; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D013739:Testosterone; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D005978:Glutathione; D008550:Melatonin; D002945:Cisplatin