title: The protective effects of acetyl L-carnitine on testis gonadotoxicity induced by Cisplatin in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cisplatin, an effective antineoplastic agent, damages normal cells in a manner related to chemotherapy. Acetyl L-carnitine protects cells against mitochondrial and nuclear damage induced by chemotherapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Animal experiment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The aim of this study was to examine the protective effects of acetyl L-carnitine on cisplatin-induced gonadotoxicity in testicular structures. Twenty-four male Wistar albino rats were divided into four Groups (n=6): Group 1 (control) was administered saline; Group 2 was administered acetyl L-carnitine; Group 3 was administered cisplatin; and Group 4 was pre-treated with acetyl L-carnitine before cisplatin administration.
  
  
  METHODS
  After 72hr of treatment with cisplatin, the rats were sacrificed, and the testicular tissues were removed. Morphometric, histomorphologic and immunohistochemical analyses were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the end of the experiment, Group 3 was characterised by statistically significant weight loss, a degenerative appearance of the seminiferous tubules in the peripheral region, separation of spermatogenic cell series from the tubular wall, cellular debris in the lumen and central interstitial oedema. Sperm morphology appeared to be abnormal. Tubular diameter and wall thickness decreased, and the number of TUNEL- and active caspase-positive cells increased compared with the other Groups. The histological findings in Group 4 were better than those in Group 3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It was concluded that the prophylactic use of acetyl L-carnitine protects against cisplatin-induced testicular tissue damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embriyology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Neslihan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Coşkun
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embriyology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: M Tahir
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Hatipoğlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embriyology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Candan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ozoğul
authors.affiliation: IVF Laboratories, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Korkmaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embriyology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Seda Nur
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Akyol
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embriyology, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Serap Cilaker
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Mıcılı
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embriyology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gülistan Sanem
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Arık
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embriyology, Gazi University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Deniz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Erdoğan
keywords: Acetyl L-carnitine; cisplatin; gonadotoxicity; testis