Ameliorative effect of selenium in cisplatin-induced testicular damage in rats

In this study, we investigated the protective effect of selenium (Se) on cisplatin (Cis) induced testicular damage using histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical approaches. Twenty-one male Wistar rats were equally divided into three groups of seven rats each: control (C), Cis, and Cis + Se. Cis and Cis + Se group rats received Cis at a dose of 12 mg/kg b.w./day, intraperitoneally for 3 consecutive days. Cis + Se group rats received selenium via oral gavage 3 mg/kg/day (twice-a day as 1.5 mg/kg) until 11th consecutive days starting at 5 days before cisplatin injection. C group received only 0.9% NaCl intraperitoneally and orally at same time and at equal volume. After the treatment, the histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical examinations were performed. In seminiferous tubules of Cis treated rats were observed the most consistent findings characterized with vacuolization, desquamation, disorganization, and also was a considerable reduction in elongated spermatids, however the Cis + Se group exhibited improved histopathologic changes. In the immunohistochemical examinations, caspase-3 immunopositive cells displayed higher in the Cis group according to C and Cis + Se groups. Bcl-2 and NF-κB staining revealed a moderate number in the C group and significantly fewer in the Cis group compared to the Cis + Se groups. Additionally, MDA levels were also significantly increased in the Cis group in comparison to Control group, but pretreatment with selenium prevented elevation of MDA levels significantly in Cis + Se group rats. This study indicates that Cis-treatment induced testicular apoptosis and lipid peroxidation, and combined treatment with selenium prevented severity of the toxicity in rats.