The Ameliorative Effects of L-Carnitine against Cisplatin-Induced Gonadal Toxicity in Rats

Cisplatin (CP) is a highly efficient remedy in cancer treatment, but it adversely affects the testicular tissue. This work assessed the ameliorative efficacy of L-carnitine (LC) against CP induced oxidative stress in rat testis, via investigating testosterone level and tissue oxidative/antioxidant parameters, histological alterations, and immunohistochemical expressions of intermediate filaments (IFs) proteins; vimentin (VIM) and cytokeratin 18 (CK18). Twenty-eight rats were assigned into four groups (7 rats each) as follows; groups I and II received saline and LC (100 mg/kg b.wt.) respectively orally once daily for 30 days; group III were injected with a single dose of CP (7.5 mg/kg, IP), 27 days after starting the experiment. Group IV received both LC and CP. Injection of CP significantly decreased serum testosterone and glutathione reductase and catalase in the testicular tissues and elevated malondialdehyde. Histologically, testes of the CP treated group revealed marked degenerative changes. Also, overexpression of both VIM and CK18 in testicular tissues were recorded. However, the administration of LC with CP restored the biochemical parameters, histological and immunohistochemical pictures towards the normalcy. Accordingly, LC is recommended as a supplement with chemotherapy to ameliorate its oxidative stress. This is the first study investigating the immunohistochemical expressions of IFs proteins, VIM and CK18, following administration of LC as a protective agent against CP induced testicular toxicity in rats. (C) 2020 PVJ. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

L-carnitine (LC) is effective in ameliorating oxidative stress induced by cisplatin (CP) in rat testicular tissues. Co-administration of LC with CP restores biochemical, histological, and immunohistochemical parameters towards normalcy.