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Protective effect of lipoic acid on adriamycin-induced testicular toxicity
Chidambaram Prahalathan1, Elangovan Selvakumar, Palaninathan Varalakshmi
1Department of Medical Biochemistry, Dr. ALM. Post Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus, Chennai-600 113, India.
Background:
Adriamycin (ADR), an anthracycline antibiotic, which is widely used as an antineoplastic drug in the treatment of various solid tumors, has been shown to induce reproductive abnormalities in males. In the present study, the effect of lipoic acid (LA), a universal antioxidant, was investigated on ADR-induced testicular toxicity in rats.
Methods:
Adult male albino rats of Wistar strain were administered ADR (1 mg/kg body weight, i.v.), once a week for 10 weeks. Semen quality was evaluated in terms of sperm count, percentage motility and abnormality. The testicular damage was also assessed by the measurement of marker enzymes activities and histology.
Results:
ADR treated rats showed a significant decrease in sperm count and motility while an increase in dead and abnormal sperms. The activities of testicular marker enzymes such as gamma-glutamyl transferase, beta-glucuronidase, acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase were increased whereas the activity of lactate dehydrogenase-X was decreased significantly in the animals treated with ADR. ADR treated rats also showed abnormal histologic findings. Treatment with lipoic acid (35 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) 1 day prior to ADR administration, improved the semen quality and maintained near normal activities of the enzymes.
Conclusion:
By the reversal of biochemical and morphological changes towards normalcy, the cytoprotective role of LA is illuminated in ADR-induced testicular toxicity.
Insights
Lipoic acid (LA) protects against Adriamycin (ADR)-induced testicular toxicity in rats. LA treatment improved semen quality and restored biochemical and histological markers damaged by ADR, highlighting its cytoprotective role.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Adriamycin (ADR), an antineoplastic drug, can cause male reproductive abnormalities.
- Testicular toxicity is a significant concern with ADR chemotherapy.
- Lipoic acid (LA) is a potent antioxidant with potential protective effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effect of lipoic acid (LA) against Adriamycin (ADR)-induced testicular toxicity.
- To evaluate the impact of LA on semen quality and testicular function in rats exposed to ADR.
Main Methods:
- Adult male Wistar rats were administered ADR (1 mg/kg) weekly for 10 weeks.
- Semen quality parameters (sperm count, motility, abnormality) were assessed.
- Testicular damage was evaluated via marker enzyme activities and histology.
Main Results:
- ADR treatment significantly reduced sperm count and motility, increasing abnormal sperm.
- ADR increased testicular marker enzymes (GGT, β-glucuronidase, phosphatases) and decreased LDH-X.
- Lipoic acid (35 mg/kg) administration prior to ADR improved semen quality and normalized enzyme activities.
Conclusions:
- Lipoic acid demonstrates a cytoprotective role in mitigating ADR-induced testicular toxicity.
- LA treatment reversed biochemical and morphological testicular damage caused by ADR.
- LA offers a potential therapeutic strategy to counteract chemotherapy-induced reproductive side effects.