Protective effects of l-karnitin against testicular hyperthermia on rats

Objective:In this study we aimed to investigate protective effects of L-karnitin, a strong antioxidant, against possible negative effects of hyperthermia, on testes of male rats histolochemically, imunohistochemically, ultrastructural and biochemically.Method:21 Wistar albino rats were divided into 3 groups (n=7). Control Group; rats were subjected to water bath, 5 days, 15 minutes a day, at room temperature 22ºC. Hyperthermia Group; rats were subjected to hot water bath, 5 days, 15 minutes a day, at 43ºC. L-karnitin Group; 250 mg/kg/day L-karnitin, before hyperthermia, were applied for 5 days by intraperitoneal. All experimental animals were sacrificed 14 days after the water bath exposure for 5 days. Testes tissue slides were stained with hematoxylene & eosine (H&E), masson trichrome and periodic acid schiff (PAS) for histochemically. Immunohistochemical TUNEL and active caspase-3 stains were performed to determine apoptosis. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathion peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were evaluated biochemically. Also ultrastructural observations were used.Results:Histochemical and ultrastructural investigations showed that on hyperthermia group?s seminifer tubules showed vacuolization, germ cell deprivation and increase of connective tissue on interstitial area. No significant changes were seen in L-karnitin group. After immunohistochemical investigations apoptotic cell death was increased in hyperthermia group compared with control group. L-karnitin group decreased TUNEL (+) cells and active caspase-3 immunoreactive cells compared with hyperthermia group. Tissue MDA, GPx and SOD levels in hyperthermia group showed an increase compared with control and L-karnitin groups.Conclusion:According to our results, we consider that testicular hyperthermia increases oxidative stres and apoptosis, causes tissue damage and biochemical changes in testis. In conclusion we assume that L-karnitin can minimize the histological damage and biochemical differences.Key Words: hyperthermia, L-karnitin, testis, apoptosis.