Studies on the ameliorative potential of dietary supplemented selenium on doxorubicin-induced testicular damage in mice
Sarvnarinder Kaur1, Khushpreet Singh Maan1, Shilpa Sadwal1
1Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India.
Abstract:
Doxorubicin, a chemotherapeutic drug, is known to disrupt the normal spermatogenesis by excess oxidative stress. The present study describes the curative effects of dietary supplemented selenium on doxorubicin-induced testicular damage in mice. Four groups were included in the study: Group I(C), Group II (Se-0.5 ppm/kg diet), Group III (Dox-3mg/kg body weight i.p.) and Group IV (Se + Dox). We analysed microscopic sperm parameters, histopathology, testicular germ cell kinetics, oxidative stress levels, antioxidant levels and mRNA expression studies of apoptotic and stress response markers. Sperm parameters were significantly reduced in doxorubicin-treated group. Moreover, mice treated with doxorubicin showed an elevation in oxidative stress markers as well as decreased redox ratio, and antioxidant levels were observed in Group III (Dox). However, selenium supplementation ameliorated the damage incurred by doxorubicin, by improving sperm parameters, antioxidant levels and histoarchitecture of mice testes, and decreased the oxidative stress levels. Selenium administration also reduced the levels of apoptotic caspases and stress-activated kinases in Group IV (Se + Dox) when compared to Group III (Dox). In conclusion, selenium exhibits the curative effect against doxorubicin-induced testicular damage in mice by attenuating stress conditions and associated apoptosis.
Insights
Dietary selenium supplementation can protect against doxorubicin-induced testicular damage in mice. Selenium reduces oxidative stress and apoptosis, improving sperm parameters and testicular health.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Toxicology
- Oxidative Stress Research
- Nutritional Biochemistry
Background:
- Doxorubicin (chemotherapeutic agent) induces testicular damage via oxidative stress, impairing spermatogenesis.
- Oxidative stress disrupts sperm parameters, testicular histology, and germ cell kinetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of dietary selenium against doxorubicin-induced testicular toxicity in mice.
- To evaluate selenium's impact on oxidative stress markers, antioxidant levels, and apoptotic pathways in the testes.
Main Methods:
- Mice were divided into four groups: control, selenium-supplemented, doxorubicin-treated, and selenium + doxorubicin-treated.
- Evaluated sperm parameters, testicular histopathology, germ cell kinetics, oxidative stress, and antioxidant levels.
- Analyzed mRNA expression of apoptotic and stress response markers.
Main Results:
- Doxorubicin treatment significantly reduced sperm parameters and increased oxidative stress markers.
- Selenium supplementation ameliorated doxorubicin-induced testicular damage, improving sperm quality and histology.
- Selenium reduced oxidative stress, increased antioxidant levels, and decreased apoptotic markers in doxorubicin-treated mice.
Conclusions:
- Dietary selenium exhibits a curative effect against doxorubicin-induced testicular damage.
- Selenium mitigates testicular toxicity by attenuating oxidative stress and apoptosis.
- Selenium supplementation is a potential therapeutic strategy for doxorubicin-induced reproductive toxicity.
