Abstract:

Background/aim: Cisplatin (CP), a chemotherapeutic drug, causes damage to spermatogenic serial cells, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells in rat testicles. It was aimed to investigate the protective effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), one of the active ingredients of propolis, in eliminating CP-induced testicular damage. Materials and methods: Group 1 (control group) was given physiological saline solution intraperitoneally (IP) throughout the experiment. Group 2 (CP group) was given a single dose of CP (7 mg/kg) IP on the day 7. Group 3 (CP + CAPE group), was given CAPE (10 μmol/kg/day) IP for 12 days and a single dose of CP (7 mg/kg) IP on day 7. Group 4 (CAPE group) was given CAPE (10 μmol/kg/day) IP for 12 days. On day 14 of the experiment, the rats were decapitated under xylazine and ketamine anesthesia and their testicles were removed. The sections obtained from the testicles were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and histopathological damage was evaluated. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymatic activities were measured in the testicular tissue samples. Testosterone (TES) levels were measured in the blood serum. The Johnsen testicular biopsy score (JTBS) was used to evaluate testicular tubules. DNA damage was evaluated in sperm samples taken from the ductus epididymis using the comet assay technique. Results: In Group 2, which was given CP, the testicles were severely damaged. It was observed that histological damage was reduced in the testes by administering CAPE in Group 3. Moreover, according to the JTBS, the value was significantly higher in the testicular tubules (P < 0.05). Moreover, the MDA level decreased in Group 3. However, the SOD, CAT, and TES levels increased in Group 3. DNA damage also decreased significantly in Group 3 when compared to Group 2 (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results showed that CAPE may be protective against damage caused by CP in the testicles of rats.

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