Chemoprotective effects of inositol hexaphosphate against cyclophosphamide-induced testicular damage in rats

Sci Rep. 2020 Jul 28;10(1):12599. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-68608-9.

Abstract

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is commonly used as an anticancer agent but has been associated with high toxicity in several animal organs, including the testes. Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) is a polyphosphorylated carbohydrate that is present in foods with high fibre contents and has a wide range of essential physiological and pathological activities. Thus, we estimated the defensive effects of IP6 against CP-related testicular toxicity in rats. Sperm counts, motilities, viabilities and abnormalities and levels of testosterone, luteinising hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone were evaluated. Testicle specimens were also processed for histological and biochemical analyses, including determinations of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, total antioxidant capacity, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, gamma glutamyl transferase, ß-glucuronidase, c-reactive protein, monocyte chemoattractant protein and leukotriene-4 and in comet assays. CP treatments were associated with deleterious histopathological, biochemical and genetic changes in rat testicles, and these were ameliorated by IP6 supplements in drinking water.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / toxicity*
  • Cyclophosphamide / toxicity*
  • DNA Damage / drug effects
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone / blood
  • Luteinizing Hormone / blood
  • Male
  • Malondialdehyde / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Phytic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Spermatozoa / drug effects
  • Testis / drug effects*
  • Testosterone / blood

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Testosterone
  • Malondialdehyde
  • Phytic Acid
  • Cyclophosphamide
  • Luteinizing Hormone
  • Follicle Stimulating Hormone