Abstract
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•Reduction in body and testis weight was recorded in ADR-treated rats.•Disorganization, nuclear apoptosis, mitochondrial degeneration of germinal cells in ADR-treated rats.•Marked disturbance in the oxidant/antioxidant enzymes in ADR-treated testicular tissues.•Combination of AGE with adriamycin resulted in marked improvement of toxic effects induced by adriamycin in the rat testis.
Adriamycin (ADR), a potent cytotoxic drug, has many adverse effects on different body organs limiting its therapeutic uses. Aged garlic extract (AGE), a garlic preparation, contains many organosulfur compounds with potent antioxidant activity. This investigation was conducted to study the possible protective effects & the underlying the mechanism of AGE on ADR-induced testicular damage. Thirty-six adult male rats were assigned into six groups: a control, AGE-treated (250mg/kg once oral for 14days), ADR-treated (10mg/kg, i.p. once at day 8), AGE (7days before)+ADR (once at day 8), ADR (once on day 8)+AGE (7days after), AGE (14days)+ADR (once at day 8). At day 15; blood samples were collected then the animals were sacrificed and testicular samples were prepared for light and electron microscopic examination. Parenchymal disorganization, cellular degeneration, nuclear apoptosis, mitochondrial degeneration and cytoplasmic vacuolation, decrease count and increase abnormalities of sperms, low testosterone level, high MDA concentration, low GSH level, and decrease GSH-Px, CAT, and SOD activity were recorded in ADR-treated rats. Remarkable histological, biochemical and ultrastructural improvements were observed in the combined AGE plus ADR-treated groups. Thus, AGE can be used as an adjuvant therapy to resume male infertility and weak spermatogenesis induced by cytotoxic drugs or other environmental toxins through its cytoprotective and antioxidant properties.