Evaluation of the possible protective role of quercetin on letrozole-induced testicular injury in male albino rats.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to appraise the possible adverse effects of quercetin against the aromatase inhibitor letrozole-induced developmental toxicity potential in male Wistar rats. METHODS: Control male albino rats were received vehicles used for flavonoids and vehicle used for letrozole. The rats in the first experimental group received letrozole at 0.04 mg/kg body weight (bwt) for 3 months. The second experimental group was treated with the flavonoid quercetin by gavage at a dose of 50 mg/kg bwt for 10 consecutive days after letrozole administration. RESULTS: Major treatment-related effects of letrozole included a dose-dependent increase in hormone levels and lipid peroxidation following exposure to 0. 04 mg/kg letrozole; and severe abnormalities with severe cellular deformation and disorganization in both spermatogenic and interstitial cells. The seminiferous tubules of the testes of the animals given quercetin and letrozole exhibited a rather normal appearance and the measured hormone levels were restored to nearly the normal levels. CONCLUSION: Exposure doses of letrozole that are equal to the daily recommended human dose has toxic effects on the spermatogenic lineage in rats, while simultaneous treatment of quercetin and letrozole could prevent the deleterious effects on testicular tissue caused by letrozole administration.