Biochemical, Histological and Ultrastructural Studies to Evaluate the Effect of Curcumin on the Testicular Injury Induced by Sofosbuvir in Immature Male Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Egypt

Abstract

The present study aims to evaluate the role of curcumin (Cur) against the adverse and carcinogenic effects induced by Sofosbuvir (Sofo) in the testicular tissues in immature male albino rats. Cur is effective substance extracted from turmeric (Curcuma longa) has active biological phenolic substances that possess anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-carcinogenic activities. The experiment animals were four groups: 1: control animals (60- 70 g) were received olive oil; 2: rats were administrated with Cur (200 mg/kg/ b w); 3: rats were administrated with Sofo (14 mg/kg/ b w); 4: animals were administrated with Sofo (14 mg/kg/b w) and Cur (200 mg/kg/b w). All rats were orally received their respective treatments every other day for 4 weeks. The results illustrated that Sofo treated group exhibited a marked decrement of body and testis weights, while, Sofo and Cur group showed a cleared recovery in those parameters. Also, Sofo group exhibited a distinct decrement in epididymal sperm analysis, while, Sofo and Cur animals revealed an obvious elevation in epididymal sperm analysis. Concerning to biochemical data, Sofo rats group produced testosterone decrement, T3 and T4 elevation, MDA elevation, declined SOD activity and GSH level. However, Sofo with Cur group recorded an improvement testosterone level, decreased T3, T4 and MDA levels, increase SOD activity and GSH level. No marked change in PSA level. The present histological results of Sofo group, showed reduction of spermatogenic lineage cells, appeared of vacuolated cells, necrotic areas and almost giant spermatozoa. While Sofo with Cur group demonstrated improvements recovery in the spermatogenic cells. The ultra-structural observations of Sofo group exhibited some differences in comparison with control one as follows: thin basement membrane, shrinkage nuclei of some spermatogenic cells, appearance of most organelles with electron dense, few mitochondria, low secretory granules of Leydig cells. While Sofo and Cur group showed improvements in the basement membrane thickness, spermatogenic cells almost seemed as control with electron lucent, Leydig cells secretory granules increased. The present results suggest that, the exposure of immature rat's testis to sofosbuvir produces moderate alteration of spermatogenesis activity and the use of curcumin may decline the adverse effects of Sofo. 

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Mansoura Journal of Biology
Volume 56, Issue 3
September 2022
Pages 6-17

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