Acutely applied melatonin prevents CCl4-induced testicular lesions in rats: the involvement of the oxidative capacity and arginine metabolism

Abstract

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) represents an organic chemical that causes reactive oxygen species derived organ disturbances including male infertility. Melatonin (MLT) is a neurohormone with strong antioxidant capacity, involved in numerous physiological processes. In this study we evaluated the capability of MLT, administered in a single dose of 50 mg/kg, to preserve the testicular tissue function after an acute administration of CCl 4 to rats. The disturbance in testicular tissue and the effects of MLT after CCl 4 exposure were estimated using biochemical parameters that enabled us to determine the tissue (anti)oxidant status and the intensity of arginine/nitric oxide metabolism. Also, the serum levels of testosterone and the histopathological analysis of tissue gave us a better insight into the occurring changes. A significant diminution in tissue antioxidant defences, arginase activity and serum testosterone levels, followed by the increased production of nitric oxide and extensive lipid and protein oxidative damage, was observed in the CCl 4 -treated group. The application of MLT after the CCl 4 caused changes, clearly visible at both biochemical and histological level, which could be interpreted mainly as a consequence of general antioxidant system stimulation and a radical scavenger. On the other hand, the application of MLT exerted a limited action on the nitric oxide signalling pathway.

Protective effects of melatonin against the toxic effects of environmental pollutants and heavy metals on testicular tissue: A systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies

“…Mice, rats, and hamsters were the subjects of 13 ( 35 – 38 , 43 – 51 ), 24 ( 17 , 39 – 42 , 52 – 70 ), and one ( 71 ) studies, respectively. Studies have utilized heavy metals (n= 12) including arsenic ( 37 , 45 , 67 ), lead ( 58 ), cadmium ( 42 , 47 , 48 , 55 , 68 , 69 ), Hexavalent chromium ( 38 ), and Potassium dichromate ( 52 ) and toxic materials (n= 26) including sodium fluoride (NaF) ( 61 ), 2-Bromopropane ( 54 ), Bisphenol A ( 17 , 43 , 46 , 59 , 62 , 63 , 70 ), thioacetamide ( 56 ), Bisphenol S ( 71 ), ochratoxin A ( 57 ), nicotine ( 49 ), Cigarette smoke ( 39 ), diazinon ( 35 , 36 , 50 ), formaldehyde ( 40 , 60 ), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) ( 44 ), carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) ( 41 , 53 ), Chlorpyrifos ( 65 , 66 ), nonylphenol ( 64 ), and acetamiprid ( 51 ) to induce oxidative stress. To administer the stressors, oral (n= 19) ( 37 , 44 – 46 , 51 , 52 , 57 – 59 , 63 – 72 ), intraperitoneal (n= 14, IP) ( 35 , 36 , 38 , 40 –…”

“…To administer melatonin, oral (n= 9) ( 37 , 45 , 46 , 57 , 58 , 63 , 65 , 66 , 68 ), IP (n= 24) ( 35 , 36 , 38 – 42 , 44 , 47 – 52 , 54 , 56 , 59 , 60 , 62 , 64 , 67 , 70 – 72 ), and SQ (n= 2) ( 55 , 63 ) routes were used. Melatonin was administered prior to (n= 18, preventive) ( 17 , 35 , 36 , 41 , 46 – 48 , 50 , 52 , 54 , 56 , 62 , 64 – 66 , 70 – 72 ), simultaneously (n= 6) ( 38 , 40 , 42 , 45 , 59 , 68 ), and after (n= 12, therapeutic) ( 37 , 39 , 43 , 49 , 53 , 56 – 58 , 60 , 63 , 67 , 69 ) the start of stressor. The characteristics of the included studies are summarized in the Tables 1 , 2 .…”