Testosterone propionate ameliorates oxidatve stress and inflammation in nicotine-induced testicular toxicity

BACKGROUND: Nicotine (NICO) is a major constituent of cigarette smoke and has been associated with adverse effects on the testes and male reproductive profile. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study was initiated to investigate the effects of testosterone (TES) propionate in NICO-induced testicular toxicity in rats by investigating the quantitative localization and intensity of immune expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and Ki-67. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighteen adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups as follows: Group A: NICO only; Group B: NICO+TES propionate (NICO+TES); and Group C: Normal Control. 0.8 mg/kg body weight of NICO and 2.5 mg/kg of TES propionate were administered, respectively, for 30 days after which the rats were sacrificed, and the testes were processed for antioxidant enzyme assay and immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical study showed elevated COX-2 immunoexpression in the germinal epithelium of the NICO group relative to the NICO+TES and control groups. Ki-67 was expressed in the spermatozoa of all experimental groups. The primary spermatocytes of NICO+TES and control groups additionally tested positive for Ki 67. The results also showed a higher level of oxidative stress markers in the NICO group compared to the NICO+TES and control groups. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that NICO toxicity in the testes is mediated through inflammation and apoptosis as well as induction of oxidative stress; and that TES propionate ameliorates the severity of toxicity induced by NICO in rat testes by reducing the inflammation and oxidative stress.