The therapeutic potential of amifostine on cyclophosphamide-induced testicular dysfunction in rats: An experimental study

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a well-known alkylating anticancer agent usedin the treatment of various malignant and non-malignant tumors. CP may also causea variety of adverse effects, including reproductive toxicity. Amifostine is known as acytoprotective drug having antioxidant properties.Objective: To evaluate the possible beneficial effects of amifostine on testicular toxicityinduced by CP in rats.Materials and Methods: A total of 35 Sprague-Dawley rats were used in thisexperimental study. The CP group animals received a single dose of 200 mg/kgCP on Day 8 by intraperitoneal injection and were left untreated for the followingseven days. The two remaining groups of animals were treated with 200 mg/kg/dayamifostine (AMF 200) and 400 mg/kg/day amifostine (AMF 400) for seven days priorto and following a single intraperitoneal injection of CP. Morphometrical analysisand histological examination of testicular tissue were performed. Serum testosterone,luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were measured in serumusing commercial ELISA kits. The epidydimal sperm count was determined.Results: The tubular epithelial height in the testis was significantly higher in theAMF400 group compared to other groups (p < 0.001). Animals in the AMF400 groupshowed minimal debris in the tubules, no Sertoli cell damage, and the Johnsenscores were slightly higher in the AMF400 group. The epididymal sperm count wassignificantly lower in the CP-administered animals compared to the control animals andwas significantly higher in the AMF200 and AMF400 groups compared to the CP group(p = 0.006, and p = 0.019 respectively).Conclusion: Amifostine, at a dose of 400 mg/kg, may have a protective effect ontesticular damage induced by CP in rats.

Keywords:

Amifostine , Cyclophosphamide , Rat , Testis