Study the protective effects of erythropoietin on testis in male rats treated with anabolic androgenic steroid

SUMMARYPURPOSEIn this study, we aimed to study the protective effects of Erythropoietin, a strong antioxidant, against possible negative effects of anabolic androgenic steroid, testes of male rats histologically, ultrastructural, imunohistochemically and biochemically.METHOD35 Wistar albino rats were divided into 5 groups (n=7). Group I. Control; Group II. Sham; Group III. 10 mg/kg/week Nandrolone decanoate; Group IV. 10 mg/kg/week Nandrolone decanoate and low dose (100 IU/kg) Epo; Group V. 10 mg/kg/week Nandrolone decanoate and high dose (500 IU/kg) Epo were applied every Wednesday of each week for two months by intramuscular. Epo applied every day for two months by intraperitoneal. Testis tissue slides were stained with hematoxylene&eosine (H&E) and Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) for light microscopy. Immunohistochemical TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling) and active caspase-3 were performed to determine apoptosis. Glutathion peroxidase (GPx) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were evaluated biochemically. Also ultrastructural observations were used.RESULTSInvestigations of our study showed that on control and sham group?s seminiferous tubules were normal. In ND group, irregular sequencing of spermatogenic cell series, lack of germ cell, vacuolization in seminiferious tubules, reduction of spermiums in lumen or lack of spermiums were observed. Also basal membrane of seminiferious tubules was thickened. No significant changes were seen in Epo groups. After immunohistochemical investigations, number of immunpositive cells were significantly increased in ND group in comparison with control group. In Epo groups immunpositive cells were found significantly decreased compared with ND group. According to biochemical results MDA and GPx levels evaluations; MDA levels were found significantly higher and GPx levels were found significantly lower in ND group than control and sham groups. MDA levels were significantly lower; GPx levels were significantly higher in Epo groups than ND group.CONCLUSIONAccording to our results; we consider that AAS increases apoptosis and oxidative stress, causes tissue damages and biochemical changes in testis. In conclusion we assume that Erythropoietin can minimize the histological damage and biochemical differences significantly.Key Words: Anabolic Androgenic Steroid, Nandrolone decanoate, Erythropoietin, testis, apoptosis