Assessment of Resveratrol's Effects Comparatively with Zinc in Experimental Rat Testicular Damage Induced by Cyclophosphamide

Cyclophosphamide is a well-known alkylating cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agent. Aim: To investigate protective effects of Resveratrol in combination or comparison with Zinc in experimental testicular injury induced by Cyclophosphamide is studied for the first time in literature. Materials and Methods: Rats (n=63) were randomly divided into 9 groups. After 21 days of drug administration biochemical and histological analysis were performed. Daily water consumption, body weights and weight of testes were measured. Johnsen’s testicular scoring and sperm morphology were evaluated. Hematoxylin&Eosin, Periodic acid-Schiff and Masson's trichrome stainings and iNOS, eNOS and CD34 antibodies were applied histologically. To determine oxidative stress, MDA and CAT values were determined. Statistically, one-way ANOVA with post Hoc Tukey HSD test for multiple comparisons was performed via IBM SPSS Version 25.0. Results: Cyclophosphamide caused an increase in testicular MDA levels due to elevated oxidant stress. Testicular MDA levels significantly decreased in Zinc and Resveratrol groups which revealed protective effects related to Cyclophosphamide treatment, while no significant improvement was observed for control and saline groups. However, the most significant decrease was observed in MDA for Cyclophosphamide+Zn+Resveratrol group in comparison to Cyclophosphamide. Telocytes, which are lately defined novel cells, were detected in the interstitium encircling seminiferous tubules as a sheath immunohistochemically. Conclusion: Not only Resveratrol and Zinc, but also their optimum administration separately protects testes in Cyclophosphamide treatment groups. Clinical adaptations of this in vivo model may lead to novel futuristic ideas in preventing infertility due to cancer chemotherapy.