Protective effect of curcumin on testis in carbon tetrachloride administered rats

Carbon tetrachloride is a carcinogenic chemical used in the production of pesticides, cleaning agents and solvents, and in the synthesis of chlorofluorocarbons. Carbon tetrachloride is known to cause structural defects in rat testicles by causing oxidative stress. Derived from the rhizomes of Curcuma longa, curcumin is a widely used nutraceutical. Antiapoptotic, antiinflammatory and antioxidant effects of curcumin have been explained by scientific studies. In our study, 4 groups were formed using 24 adult Wistar albino male rats weighing 300-350 g. Control group: 1 ml of olive oil was applied by gavage every day for 3 weeks. Curcumin group: 200 mg/kg curcumin dissolved in olive oil was given by gavage once a day, every day for 3 weeks. Carbon tetrachloride group: 0.5 ml/kg Carbon tetrachloride dissolved in olive oil at a ratio of 1/1 every other day for 3 weeks was given by intraperitoneal injection. Curcumin+ carbon tetrachloride group: In addition to 200 mg/kg curcumin dissolved in olive oil by gavage once a day for 3 weeks, carbon tetrachloride was given by 0.5 ml/kg intraperitoneal injection every other day. At the end of the experiment, testicular tissues removed from the subjects were processed appropriately and histopathological evaluations were made. Changes in caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor-α expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemical method in testicular sections. Malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase analyzes were performed on tissue samples. Serum testosterone level was studied in serum samples. As a result of histopathological, immunohistochemical and biochemical analyzes, it was observed that curcumin has a protective effect with its anti inflammatory, anti-apoptotic and antioxidant properties in testicular tissue damage caused by carbon tetrachloride. Keywords: Carbon tetrachloride, Curcumin, Testis, Tubule diameter, Oxidative stress