Stereological and histopathological evaluation of doxorubicin-induced toxicity in female rats’ ovary and uterus and palliative effects of quercetin and vitamin E

Abstract

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent with demonstrated reproductive toxicity. This study sought to determine the DOX-induced toxicity in the ovary and uterus and the preventive effects of quercetin (QCT) and vitamin E (Vit.E). Female rats were divided into six groups as follows: control, QCT (20 mg/kg), Vit.E (200 mg/kg), DOX (accumulative 15 mg/kg), DOX/QCT, and DOX/Vit.E. After 3 weeks, the toxicity of DOX in ovarian and uterine tissues and the potential palliative effects of QCT and Vit.E were evaluated by histopathological–stereological methods. The findings indicate a dramatic decline in the number of ovarian follicles ( p < 0.001), ovarian and its associated structures volume, the volume of the uterus, its layers, and related structures ( p < 0.05). Coadministration of QCT and Vit.E with DOX-treated rats demonstrated an alleviative effect on most of the studied parameters. Nevertheless, few adverse effects were recognized concerning these antioxidants administration ( p < 0.05). In conclusion, the findings of this study support the protective role of these dietary supplements in the prevention of DOX-induced toxicity in uterine and ovarian tissues.

Thymoquinone improves folliculogenesis, sexual hormones, gene expression of apoptotic markers and antioxidant enzymes in polycystic ovary syndrome rat model

“…The number of follicles was determined on 20 μm thickness sections using an optical Disector method (Figure 2). The numerical density ( Nv ) or the number of follicles in the unit was calculated by the following formula: $$$$\begin{equation}Nv = \frac{{\mathop \sum \nolimits_{i = 1}^n Q}}{{\mathop \sum \nolimits_{i = 1}^n P \times \;h\; \times \;\left( {\frac{a}{f}} \right)}} \times \frac{t}{{BA}}\;\end{equation}$$$$‘$$\sum\nolimits_{i = 1}^n Q $$’ was the number of the follicles counted across all Disectors, ‘ h ’ was the optical Disector's height, ‘ a / f ’ was the area of the counting frame, ‘$$\sum\nolimits_{i = 1}^n P $$’ was the total number of the counted frames, ‘ BA ’ was the microtome's setting for cutting the paraffin block and ‘ t ’ was the mean of the final section thickness (Samare‐Najaf et al., 2020). The following formula was used to calculate the total number of follicles: N (Follicles) = N V (follicles/ovary) × V (ovary)…”

“…' ∑n i=1 Q' was the number of the follicles counted across all Disectors, 'h' was the optical Disector's height, 'a/f' was the area of the counting frame, ' ∑n i=1 P' was the total number of the counted frames, 'BA' was the microtome's setting for cutting the paraffin block and 't' was the mean of the final section thickness (Samare-Najaf et al, 2020). The following formula was used to calculate the total number of follicles:…”

Flavonoids against non-physiologic inflammation attributed to cancer initiation, development, and progression—3PM pathways

“…In another preclinical study, baicalelin and 6-gingerol reduced 5-fluorouracil-induced overexpression of CXCL1 in the colon and prevented the development of neutrophil recruitment and weakened diarrhea development by the suppression of NF-κB activity [ 208 ]. Data from another preclinical study point out to protective role of quercetin coadministered with vitamin E in the prevention of doxorubicin-induced toxicity in uterine and ovarian tissues in rats [ 209 ]. The administration of casticin in male rats demonstrated a palliative effects against cisplatin-induced renal damage and recovered all renal parameters to normal levels [ 210 ].…”

Effects of Vitamin E on Doxorubicin Cytotoxicity in Human Breast Cancer Cells in Vitro

“…Due to irreversible tissue toxicity, the clinical use of doxorubicin (DOX) as a broadspectrum anti-breast cancer agent has been restricted. A combination of therapeutic interventions can provide patients with the opportunity to make the most of treatment (Samare-Najaf et al, 2020;Wei et al, 2020).…”