Protective Effect of Ghrelin on Oxidative Stress and Tissue Damages of Mice Testes Followed by Chemotherapy With Cyclophosphamide

Abstract

Objectives: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is one of the common medications used as chemotherapy and immune-suppressive agent in organ transplantation. Despite numerous clinical applications of this drug in cancer treatment, it causes adverse effects on body tissues, especially the male reproductive organs by increasing oxidative stress. The present study aimed to analyze the effects of ghrelin, as an antioxidant substance, on testicular damages induced by CP. Materials and Methods: Forty male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: 1) control; 2) CP; 3) CP + ghrelin; and 4) ghrelin. CP (100 mg/kg body weight) was injected intraperitoneally once a week and ghrelin (80 mu g/kg body weight) was administered daily for 5 weeks. After 5 weeks, the testicles were removed and we investigated histological changes and testicular oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity. Results: Our results showed that CP increased malondialdehyde level and decreased glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and the total antioxidant capacity (P < 0.05). Furthermore, degenerative changes in the testicular tissue were observed in CP group. The aforementioned factors were improved in the group that was treated with ghrelin (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study revealed that ghrelin decreases the damages caused by CP in testicular tissue of mice by reducing lipid peroxidation and increasing total antioxidant capacity.