Effects of opioid (tramadol) treatment on testicular functions in adult male rats: The role of nitric oxide and oxidative stress

Abstract

Nowadays, tramadol hydrochloride is frequently used as a pain reliever, and for the treatment of premature ejaculation. Decreased semen quality was noted in chronic tramadol users. The present study aimed to elucidate the effects of tramadol on the testicular functions of adult male rats. A total of 40 albino adult male rats were divided into control and tramadol groups, with 20 rats for each group. Rats of the tramadol group were subcutaneously injected with 40 mg/kg three times per week for 8 weeks. The control group received normal saline 0.9%. Blood samples from each animal were obtained. Plasma levels of different biochemical substances were determined. Nitric oxide was measured in testicular tissue samples. Those samples together with epididymal tissue samples were processed for histopathological examination. Tramadol significantly reduced plasma levels of luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, testosterone and total cholesterol, but elevated prolactin and estradiol levels compared with the control group. In addition, tramadol increased the testicular levels of nitric oxide and lipid peroxidation, and decreased the anti-oxidant enzymes activities significantly compared with the control group. The tramadol group showed decreased sperm count and motility, and numbers of primary spermatocytes, rounded spermatid and Leydig cells. Immunohistochemical examinations showed that tramadol increased the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in testicular tissues. The present study showed that tramadol treatment affects the testicular function of adult male rats, and these effects might be through the overproduction of nitric oxide and oxidative stress induced by this drug.

Separately Administered Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors (Sildenafil and Tadalafil) and Opioid (Tramadol), Reversibly Alter Serum Lipid Profile in Male Albino Wistar Rats

“…The concentration of serum total cholesterol determines in part, the concentration of steroid hormones in serum. Consistent with this present study, previous reports had demonstrated that tramadol reduced serum concentration of total cholesterol (Abdellatief et al, 2014;Ahmed and Kurkar, 2014). The consequence of this is that steroid hormones concentration will likely be raised in tadalafil treated group and lowered in tramadol and sildenafil+tramadol treated groups, respectively.…”

“…Apart from atherogenic benefits offered by recreational use of tramadol and sildenafil+tramadol, results of this present study further suggest that, serum levels of testosterone in tramadol and sildenafil+tramadol treated groups may be negatively affected, considering the decreased serum total cholesterol in these groups. Reduced serum concentration of testosterone (a steroid hormone) following tramadol administration, has been previously reported (Abdellatief et al, 2014;Ahmed and Kurkar, 2014). This effect may be attributed to the depletion of serum total cholesterol (substrate for testosterone synthesis) by tramadol.…”

Oxidative stress/PERK/apoptotic pathways interaction contribute to tramadol neurotoxicity in rat cerebral and cerebellar cortex and thyme enhances the antioxidant defense system: histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural study

“…27 Similarly, dilated cortical vessels with RBCs extravasation and congestion of submeningeal vessels were previously documented following long term intake of tramadol. [23][24][25][26][27][28] High oxygen consumption, increased polyunsaturated fatty acids, and low antioxidants level render the brain tissue highly susceptible to oxidative stress. 29 MDA is the most abundant metabolite of free radical-induced lipid peroxidation cascade in biological systems and is commonly used as a marker for oxidative stress.…”

Introductory Chapter: One-Stop Infertility Evaluation Unit

“…Therefore, it is a good time for both partners to stop if they are smokers. There are many studies on the deleterious effects of recreational drugs, sports drugs (anabolic steroids), marijuana, opioids and tramadol on spermatogenesis in men, and folliculogenesis in women [17][18][19][20].…”