Evaluation of the effects of ascorbic acid on azathioprine-induced alteration in the testes of adult Wistar rats

Abstract

The use of azathioprine (AZA) in the prevention of organ rejection during transplantation has been noted in different organs of the body. This study investigates the effect of ascorbic acid on azathioprineinduced alteration in the testes of adult Wistar rats. Thirty male adult Wistar rats were randomly assigned into 5 groups comprising a Control group A and four Treatment groups B to E. Animals in treatment groups B and D received 10 and 20 mg/kg of AZA respectively; while rats in treatment groups C received 10 mg/kg AZA + 25 mg/kg ascorbic acid, and group E received 20 mg/kg of AZA + 50 mg/kg of ascorbic acid. The control group animals received equal volume of normal saline via orogastric tube, and treatment lasted for 21 days. The testes were excised, weighed and fixed in Bouins' fluid for tissue histology. Tissue homogenate was used to assay testosterone level, while blood was also obtained intracardially for glutathione peroxidase studies. Findings revealed significant histological changes in the treatment groups, decreased testosterone levels, and elevated glutathione peroxidase activity in all the treatment groups, compared with control. However, the treatment groups that received ascorbic acid had minimal, but significant reduction in the glutathione peroxidase activity compared to treatment groups without ascorbic acid intervention. Use of azathioprine induces significant damage to testicular structure, and this cannot be ameliorated by the use of ascorbic acid.

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Impact of gervital against histopathological, ultrastructural, and biochemical alterations caused by methotrexate or azathioprine in albino rat testis

“…The current study also revealed a marked decrease in the number of sperm in the lumen. Similar results were observed by Onanuga et al (2014). The present light microscopic examination and ultrastructural study of testis treated with GSE plus MTX, and testis treated with GSE plus AZA, showed nearly normal structures in most seminiferous tubules, improvement of spermatogenic cells, Sertoli cell, and primary spermatocytes, except for a few degenerated mitochondria.…”

Impact of Gervital Against Histopathological, Ultrastructural, and Biochemical Alterations Caused by Methotrexate or Azathioprine in Albino Rats Testis

“…The current study also revealed a marked decrease in the number of sperms in the lumen. Similar results were observed byOnanuga et al (2014). The present light microscopic examination and ultrastructural study of testis treated with GSE plus MTX and testis treated with GSE plus AZA showed nearly normal structure in most seminiferous tubules, improvement of spermatogenic cells, Sertoli cell, primary spermatocyte except few degenerated mitochondrial.…”

Antityphoid and Antioxidant Activities of Leaf Extracts of Dracaena deisteliana Eng. (Dracaenaceae)

“…This state of oxidative stress is the direct cause of various pathological conditions such as aging and cancer: it is the indirect cause of lipid peroxidation in food. In all cases, the risk is increased with the accumulation of these molecules in the body resulting in a radical chain reaction that degrades vital biological molecules, namely DNA, lipids, proteins and carbohydrates [6][7][8]. Frequent exposure to high concentrations of free radicals can lead to direct damage to biological molecules (protein oxidation and nitration, lipid peroxidation, DNA oxidation), but also secondary lesions due to the cytotoxic and mutagenic nature of the metabolites released during lipid oxidation [9,10].…”