Effect of epigallocatechin-3 gallate on some protein signaling pathways against cisplatin-induced testicular damage in rats

In recent years, risk of contracting cancer has been increasing day by day due to the nutritions we take, foods we eat, heredity, our condition of life and air pollution. Around the world, when it is looking, cancer is seen as the second most common disease and according to the studies doing, this diease thought that it will take first place in pole position in the next ten years. It has been determined that epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG) which is known to have anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and antioxidative effects is a derivation from polyphenol and it is found in stone fruit such as strawberries, grapes and pomegrahates; and in foods such as waltnut. It is determined that EGCG has a protective effect also on testicular issue and prevents growth of tumar formation in cancer cells. It has been known in studies that cisplatin, one of the drugs used in cancer treatment, couses permanent damage to the tissue. It was aimed to determine the protective effect of EGCG, a polyphenolic catechin with anticarcinogenic and antioxidant structure, against testicular toxicity caused by cisplatin, against tissue damage and testicular toxicity inuced by cisplatin. In this study, 28 male rats were divided into four groups and the experiments continued 28 days. Cisplatin and EGCG were given to rats intraperitoneally as a only dose. Expressions of, TNF-α, Bcl-2, NF-ĸB and Bax proteins were determined by western blotting and histopathological examination of testicular tissue was performed and the findings were evaluated statistically. As a result, a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and an increase in catalase (CAT) activity and glutathione (GSH) levels were observed in rat groups in which EGCG, which has therapeutic properties in testicular tissue, was administered. It was observed that the expression levels of proteins that are indicators of inflammation in the group treated with EGCG (EGCG+Cis) were significantly reduced compared to the cisplatin (Cis) group. In the histopathological study, it was observed that there was significant damage to the testicles in the cisplatin-administered group and a decrease in the EGCG-administered treatment group. According to these findings, in testicular toxicity induced by cisplatin, treatment with EGCG has an anti-inflammatory effect and can prevent testicular toxicity to a large extent.