Protective effects of silymarin on methotrexate-induced damages in rat testes

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of silymarin (SMN), an antioxidant, on methotrexate (MTX)-induced damage in rat testes. Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups (n = 8): control, MTX (20 mg/kg, i.p. on days 1 and 5), SMN (200 mg/kg, orally), and MTX +...

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Published in:Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2018-01, Vol.54 (1)
Main Authors: Yaman, Turan, Uyar, Ahmet, Kaya, Mehmet Salih, Keles, Ömer Faruk, Uslu, Baris Atalay, Yener, Zabit
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antibodies
Antioxidants
Cancer
Free radicals
GPx1
Medical research
Methotrexate/Testes/induced damages
Oxidative stress
Pathology
PHARMACOLOGY & PHARMACY
Silymarin/effects
SOD2
Sperm
Testes
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Summary:The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of silymarin (SMN), an antioxidant, on methotrexate (MTX)-induced damage in rat testes. Thirty-two Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups (n = 8): control, MTX (20 mg/kg, i.p. on days 1 and 5), SMN (200 mg/kg, orally), and MTX + SMN (20 mg/kg, i.p. on days 1 and 5 and SMN 200 mg/kg orally) groups. At the end of the 6-week trial period, histopathological, immunohistochemical, biochemical, and spermatological analyses were performed on testes tissues. Histopathologically, MTX-induced damage, including depletion of germ cell and loos of spermatozoa, was significantly improved with SMN treatment. Immunohistochemically, the immunoreactivity of glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1) and manganese superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) were detected more intensely in the MTX + SMN group than in the MTX group. Biochemical examinations revealed that SMN supplementation decreased the lipid peroxidation and increased enzymatic antioxidants in the SMN-treated rats. Spermatologically, significant differences were found in the density, motility, dead-to-live sperm ratio, and abnormal sperm rate in the MTX + SMN group compared to the MTX group. In conclusion, SMN seems to have protective effects as an antioxidant against MTX-induced damage in rat testes.
ISSN:2175-9790
1984-8250
2175-9790
DOI:10.1590/s2175-97902018000117529