Protective effect of lycopene against toxic damage on testis caused by methyl-parathion with light microscopic, immunohistochemical, biochemical and ultrastructural parameters

In our study, we examined the protective effects of Lycopene, which has a high capacity of antioxidant effect on Methyl parathion (MP) caused testis damage with light microscopic, immunohistochemical, biochemical and electron microscopic parameters.Study started with the decision of Dokuz Eylül Medical Sciences Institude Ethics Commission dated on 21.11.2008 with number 129 and protocol 72/2008.Animals were divided into 5 groups. I.group; Control: animals used for basal parameters and fed ad libitum for 28 days. (n=7). II. group; Sham: 0,5 ml corn oil lack of MP applied for 28 days by oral gavage. (n=7). III. group; Lycopene group: (4mg/kg/day) LKP dissolved in 0,5 ml corn oil was applied to animals for 28 days by oral gavage; IV group MP group: 0,28mg/kg (1/50 LD50 mg/kg/day) MP dissolved in 0,5 ml corn oil was applied to animals for 28 days by oral gavage. (n=7). V.group; 1/50 LD50 (0,28 mg/kg/day) MP+LKP group: 0,28 mg/kg MP dissolved in 0,5 ml corn oil was applied to animals with 4 mg/kg/day LKP for 28 days by intragastric sonda.Right testises of all animals were collected for MDA, GPx, SOD and EM assessments. MDA, SOD and GPx levels were studied with spectrofotometric techniques. Tissues collected for EM were studied with Transmission Electron Microscopy for assessment of fine structures. Left testises were collected for light microscopic evaluations. After histological routine procedures, DNA fragmentations were evaluated with TUNEL assay. Active caspase- 3 IHC staining was performed to support TUNEL assay results. Histological evaluations and morfometric measurements were performed on H&E stained sections.According to histological and morfometric evaluations; MP group was found more damaged than control, sham and LKP groups. According to MP+LKP group?s results, LKP found protective against damage significantly. According to DNA fragmentation assay; no significant differences were observed between control, sham, LKP and MP+LKP groups. But in MP group; TUNEL positive spermatogonium and spermatocyte numbers were significantly higher than control, sham and LKP groups. TUNEL positive cell numbers of MP group was more than MP+LKP group. According to active caspase -3 IHC staining assay; no significant differences were observed between control, sham, LKP and MP+LKP groups. But in MP group; Active caspase-3 IHC positive spermatogonium and spermatocyte numbers were significantly higher than control, sham and LKP groups. Active caspase -3 IHC positive cell numbers of MP group was more than MP+LKP group.According to MDA, SOD and GPx levels; MDA levels of MP group was found higher and GPx levels found lower than control, sham and LKP groups significantly. SOD levels were lower with no statistical significancy. MDA levels increased and GPx levels were decreased significantly and SOD levels were decreased with no statistical significancy in MP group as compared with MP+LKP group. In addition, body weights of rats were recorded before and after the experimental process.According to our study, we observed that 4mg/kg LKP has an important protective effect on toxicological damage of testis caused by low dose of MP application. Nevertheless, LKP cannot completely prevent toxicological injury that MP caused.Key words: Methyl parathion, testis, organophosphote, lycopene, apopitosis, ultrastructural