Protective effect of mirtazapine versus ginger against cisplatin-induced testicular damage in adult male albino rats.

Cisplatin (CP) is a chemotherapy medication used to treat different types of organs cancers. It has damaging effects on testes. Mirtazapine is an antidepressant, which is used primarily in the treatment of depression and other anxiety disorders. Ginger is a naturally growing plant with antioxidant properties. Thirty-six adult male albino rats, subdivided into six groups (six animals each) received treatment for 30 days. Group I (control) received saline solution orally; group II received mirtazapine (20 mg/kg). Group III received ginger (200 mg/kg/day), group IV received CP (7 mg/kg) IP single dose, at day 23rd, group V received mirtazapine (200 mg/day) orally till day 23rd, CP (7 mg/kg) IP at day 23rd, mirtazapine till day 30th, group VI received ginger (200 mg/Kg/day) orally till day 23rd, CP (7 mg/kg) IP at day 23rd, and then ginger at the previous dose till day 30th. This study examined the microscopic changes associated with CP and the possible testicular protective role of mirtazapine versus ginger of adult male rats. Mirtazapine and ginger resulted in cellular protection of testicular tissue as evident from microscopic changes including Sertoli cells, spermatogonia, and Leydig cells. Ginger showed to have a more protective effect than mirtazapine on testicular tissue against CP treatment.

Oxidative stress burden inhibits spermatogenesis in adult male rats: testosterone protective effect.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of androgens, using letrozole (LET; an aromatase inhibitor), grape seed extract (GSE; a naturally occurring aromatase inhibitor and antioxidant), and testosterone propionate (Tp), against methotrexate (MTX)-induced testicular toxicity in adult male rats. MTX has been shown to induce oxidative stress and exhibit antiproliferative effects in the testes. Adult male rats received oral saline gavage (control group with no treatment), the potential protective agents (LET, GSE, or Tp) alone, MTX alone, or a combination of one of the potential protective agents and MTX. The testicular levels of oxidative stress markers and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1ß) were measured. Spermatogenesis and sperm viability were microscopically evaluated. Administration of LET and GSE 7 days before MTX improved spermatogenesis and sperm viability, as well as reduced the levels of oxidative stress markers and cellular cytokines. Exogenous testosterone exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, similar to GSE and LET. We also showed that enhancing the endogenous androgenic activity by LET and GSE protected spermatogenesis against MTX-induced testicular toxicity via reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress in the testes. Our data suggest that testosterone protected spermatogenesis owing to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.