title: Sub-chronic indomethacin treatment and its effect on the male reproductive system of albino rats: possible protective role of black tea extract.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Indomethacin is commonly used as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to treat inflammation, arthritis and joint pains. Unfortunately, it has a wide range of adverse effects on the physiological system, including gonads. This study aimed to assess possible beneficial effects of black tea extract (BTE) against indomethacin-induced alteration of gonadal hormone levels in male rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adult male rats were divided into Group I (control), Group II (indomethacin, 5 mg/kg body weight [bwt.]; i.p., 21 days), Group III (BTE, 2.5 g tea leaf/dL of water, i.e. 2.5% of aqueous BTE, orally, 21 days) and Group IV (indomethacin+BTE, 21 days). Sperm count and motility, serum luteinising hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone, along with histopathology of testes were studied. One-way ANOVA, followed by post-hoc t-test were conducted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Indomethacin-treated rats showed significant decrease in testicular weight, sperm count, sperm motility, serum gonadotropins and testosterone concentrations. Histopathology of the testes showed tortuous and distorted seminiferous tubules, marked thickening of the tubular basement membrane, reduced spermatogenesis process (>30%) and marked decrease in the number of interstitial cells of Leydig in indomethacin-treated rats. Interestingly, rats supplemented with BTE showed remarkable improvements in testicular weight gain, sperm count and motility, serum gonadotropins and testosterone concentrations, along with testicular histopathology.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that BTE might have potential ameliorative effects against sub-chronic indomethacin-induced alteration of gonadal hormone levels in male albino rats.
authors.affiliation: Shri B.M. Patil Medical College, BLDE University, Vijayapura, Karnataka.
authors.forename: Ishwar B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Bagoji
authors.affiliation: Vijayapura, Karnataka.
authors.forename: Gavishiddappa A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Hadimani
authors.affiliation: Al Ameen Medical College-Pathology, Vijayapura, Karnataka.
authors.forename: Saeed M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Yendigeri
authors.affiliation: Sri B. M. Patil Medical College and Research Centre, Department of Physiology, BLDE University, Smt. Bagaramma Sajjan Campus, Vijayapura, Karnataka State, Karnataka 586103.
authors.forename: Kusal K
authors.initials: KK
authors.lastname: Das
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D005837:Genitalia, Male / Q000187:drug effects*; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020011:Protective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013076:Sperm Count / Q000379:methods; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts; D020011:Protective Agents; D013662:Tea; D013739:Testosterone; D007986:Luteinizing Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone; D007213:Indomethacin
keywords: black tea extracts; gonadotropins; histopathology; indomethacin; testes; testosterone