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Ameliorative Potential of Lycopene Against Finasteride-Induced Seminiferous Tubules Damage in Adult Rats: A
Amany Mohamed Shalaby1, Hamad Alsaykhan2, Sulaiman Mohammed Alnasser3
1Histology and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt.
Abstract:
Finasteride is frequently prescribed for the management of nodular prostatic hyperplasia and androgenic alopecia. However, it has a detrimental impact on spermatogenesis, leading to infertility. Lycopene is a carotenoid with strong antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects. The present investigation evaluated the protective effect of lycopene against finasteride-induced testicular damage in adult rat testes. Four groups were created: control group, lycopene group (4 mg/kg/day), finasteride group (5 mg/kg/day), and lycopene-finasteride group. The agents were administered by oral gavage for 8 weeks. Finasteride significantly reduced the levels of dihydrotestosterone and testosterone. The level of superoxide dismutase markedly decreased, while malondialdehyde increased. The mRNA expression of caspase 3 was significantly elevated, whereas that of BCL2 was markedly diminished. Also the sperm parameters were significantly reduced. Moreover, finasteride induced histopathological changes in the form of irregular, degenerated seminiferous tubules. Vacuolation and desquamation of spermatogenic cells inside the lumen of tubules were evident. A marked rise in the immune expression of Bax was associated with a marked reduction in the expression of BCL2 and PCNA. Interestingly, few changes were detected in rats concomitantly administered lycopene and finasteride. The data suggest that lycopene provides substantial protection against finasteride-induced testicular damage.
Insights
Lycopene supplementation protected against finasteride-induced testicular damage and infertility in rats. This antioxidant may mitigate side effects of finasteride, a drug used for prostate issues and hair loss.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Finasteride, used for benign prostatic hyperplasia and androgenic alopecia, can impair sperm production and cause infertility.
- Lycopene, a potent antioxidant carotenoid, exhibits anti-apoptotic properties.
- Understanding lycopene's protective potential against finasteride's reproductive toxicity is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protective effects of lycopene against finasteride-induced testicular damage in a rat model.
- To evaluate the impact of lycopene on sperm parameters, hormone levels, oxidative stress markers, and testicular histology in finasteride-treated rats.
Main Methods:
- Adult rats were divided into four groups: control, lycopene alone, finasteride alone, and combined lycopene and finasteride.
- Treatments were administered orally for 8 weeks.
- Evaluated sperm parameters, serum hormone levels (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone), oxidative stress markers (superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde), gene and protein expression (caspase 3, BCL2, Bax, PCNA), and testicular histopathology.
Main Results:
- Finasteride significantly decreased testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels, reduced sperm parameters, and increased oxidative stress markers.
- Finasteride elevated caspase 3 expression while decreasing BCL2 and PCNA expression, alongside inducing testicular histopathological damage.
- Concomitant administration of lycopene with finasteride notably mitigated these adverse effects, showing minimal damage compared to finasteride alone.
Conclusions:
- Lycopene demonstrates significant protective effects against finasteride-induced testicular toxicity and impaired spermatogenesis in rats.
- The antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties of lycopene may underlie its protective mechanism.
- Lycopene supplementation could be a potential therapeutic strategy to counteract finasteride's adverse effects on male reproductive health.
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