Chronic ethanol and tramadol interaction on the testicular tissues in adult male Albino rats: an experimental biochemical and histopathological study

Background and aim In the developing and advanced countries across the world, young people have the tendency of consuming alcohol in combination with other abused substances. This study aimed to investigate the biochemical and histopathological effects of chronic toxic effects of two commonly abused substances, ethanol and/or tramadol, on testicular function in adult male Albino rats. Materials and methods Forty animals were equally divided into four groups: control group that received normal saline only, ethanol group that received ethanol [30% (v/v)] orally at a dose of 2 g/kg, tramadol group that received tramadol subcutaneously at a dose of 60 mg/kg, and ethanol+tramadol group that received ethanol+tramadol by the route and at the dose described above for 60 days. Twenty-four hours after the administration of the last dose, rats were sacrificed, blood samples were obtained, and serum testosterone was determined. Testes were harvested and weighed. Glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde levels and histology (hematoxylin and eosin) were evaluated in the testis. Results Testosterone level, relative testicular weights, and testicular glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase were significantly reduced in all experimental groups compared with controls. Conversely, malondialdehyde was significantly increased in all experimental groups compared with controls. Testicular histology in ethanol and/or tramadol showed structural aberrations that are consistent with antioxidant depletion and oxidative stress. Conclusion Abuse of ethanol and/or tramadol exerted similar, additive, and synergistic, adversely affected the male-reproductive functions, which may be due to the effects on the antioxidant-defense system and caused oxidative tissue injury as well as testicular structural aberrations.