title: Protective effects of propolis on methotrexate-induced testis injury in rat.
abstract: Propolis is an adhesive substance which is collected and used by honeybees. Propolis is a potent antioxidant and a free radical scavenger. This study was designed to determine whether propolis could protect against dysfunction and oxidative stress induced by methotrexate-induced injury in rat testis. A total of 40 male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups: group 1 was the untreated control. On the eighth day of the experiment, groups 2 and 3 received single intraperitoneal injections of methotrexate (MTX) at 20mg/kg. Groups 3 and 4 received 100mg/kg/day propolis (by oral gavage) for 15 days by the first day of the experimental protocol. Then the rats were decapitated under anesthesia, and their testes were removed. The histopathological and biochemical analysis along with apoptosis assessment of testis tissues were compared. Immunohistochemical analysis of Heat shock protein-70 (HSP-70) and Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) were performed. The phenolic characterization of propolis was performed by Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Methotrexate caused tended to increase in malondialdehyde level and in the number of apoptotic cells; it also caused a decrease in MSTD and JTBS, PCNA and HSP-70 expression and xanthine oxidase levels in group 2. Propolis prevented the rise in malondialdehyde, xanthine oxidase levels and HSP-70 expression and improved testicular morphology and JTBS. It was found that, methorexate gives rise to serious damage in the testes and propolis is a potent antioxidant agent in preventing testicular injury.
authors.affiliation: Erciyes University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Kayseri, Turkey. Electronic address: drmfatihsonmez@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Mehmet Fatih
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Sönmez
authors.affiliation: Erciyes University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kübra Tuğçe
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Çilenk
authors.affiliation: Erciyes University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Derya
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Karabulut
authors.affiliation: Erciyes University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sunay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ünalmış
authors.affiliation: Fatih University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Erkan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Deligönül
authors.affiliation: Erciyes University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Food Engineering, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: İsmet
authors.initials: İ
authors.lastname: Öztürk
authors.affiliation: Erciyes University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Histology and Embryology, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Emin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kaymak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010636:Phenols; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D011429:Propolis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012671:Seminiferous Tubules / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D010636:Phenols; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D020011:Protective Agents; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D011429:Propolis; D014969:Xanthine Oxidase; D008727:Methotrexate
keywords: Apoptosis; HSP-70; Methotrexate; Propolis; Testis