Morphometric analysis and redox state of the testicles in nandrolone decanoate and swimming treated adult male rats

Abstract

Background During the last decades, the abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids (AASs) has become popular among professional and recreational athletes. The abuse of AASs leads to decreased levels of sex hormones, but the available literature a gives very small pool of data regarding the effects of swimming alone or combined with AASs on testicle tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of four-week administration of nandrolone decanoate and swimming training alone or in combination on morphometric parameters, androgen receptor (AR) and redox state in testicle tissue. The study included Wistar albino male rats, 10 weeks old, classified into 4 groups: control (T-N-), nandrolone (T-N+), swimming training (T+N-) and swimming training with nandrolone (T+N+). The rats from nandrolone (N+) groups received nandrolone decanoate 20 mg/kg b.w.once per week. The rats from training (T+) groups, swam 1 h/day 5 days/week. The isolated testicles were measured, left testicles were routinely processed for histological analysis, while right testicles were homogenized and prepared for the analysis of the following oxidative stress biomarkers: index of lipid peroxidation (TBARS), nitrites, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH). Results Diameter, as well as cross-section area of seminiferous tubules were decreased by 10 % and 21 % (respectively) in the T-N+ group and by 15% and 41 % (respectively) in the T+N+ group compared to control. Interstitium of the testicles was decreased in all experimental groups. Reduction of immunoreactivity of AR in T-N+ group was 22 %, in T+N+ group was 9 % compared to control. TBARS levels were increased in T+N- and T+N+ groups. Nitrites were decreased in T+N+ group. Catalase activity was increased in all experimental groups. Swimming alone or combined with nandrolone decreased the level of GSH compared to control. SOD activity was decreased in T-N+ and T+N+ groups compared to control. Conclusions Nandrolone alone or combined with swimming decreased morphometric parameters and amount of AR in testicle tissue. Changes in the redox state indicate reproductive dysfunction.

Nandrolone Decanoate and Swimming Affects Cardiodynamic and Morphometric Parameters in the Isolated Rat Heart

“…During the last few decades, nandrolone decanoate has become one of the most frequently abused AAS among professional and recreational sportsmen [ 21 ]. Regular physical activity, as a modern way of life, has positive effects on many organ systems, especially on the cardiovascular system and metabolic disorders [ 32 ].…”

“…Previous studies have shown that abuse of AAS causes adverse effects on the liver, such as cholestatic jaundice, peliosis hepatis, hepatocellular hyperplasia, and hepatocellular adenoma [ 19 ]. Furthermore, in regard to the male reproductive system, the abuse of these agents may induce testicular atrophy [ 20 ], followed by the decrease of the diameter of seminiferous tubules and the increase of the interstitium of the testicles [ 21 ], impotence, and benign prostate hypertrophy [ 20 ]. Most recently, it has also been shown that nandrolone causes harmful effects on pituitary LH and FSH gonadotrophic cells, reflected by the reduction in volume density and number of cells per mm 2 [ 16 ].…”

The Evaluation of Healing Properties of Galium verum-Based Oral Gel in Aphthous Stomatitis in Rats

“…Binding sites were visualized with 0.05% diaminobenzidine (DAB; Serva, Heidelberg, Germany). The sections were contrasted with hematoxylin, rehydrated in increasing alcohol concentrations (70–100%), cleared in xylene, and mounted with DPX (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, MO, USA) [ 22 ]. Images of the tissue sections were captured using a digital camera attached to a light microscope Olympus BX51 (Olympus Life and Material Science Europa GmbH, Hamburg, Germany).…”

“…Images of the tissue sections were captured using a digital camera attached to a light microscope Olympus BX51 (Olympus Life and Material Science Europa GmbH, Hamburg, Germany). Morphometric analysis of collagen content and immunopositivity evaluation of the COX-2 in the aphthae were performed using the software program Image Pro-Plus (Media Cibernetics, Rockville, MD, USA) according to previously described methodology [ 22 , 23 ]. Results are presented as percentages [ 22 , 23 ].…”

“…Morphometric analysis of collagen content and immunopositivity evaluation of the COX-2 in the aphthae were performed using the software program Image Pro-Plus (Media Cibernetics, Rockville, MD, USA) according to previously described methodology [ 22 , 23 ]. Results are presented as percentages [ 22 , 23 ].…”