The effect of aromatase inhibitors against possible testis toxicity in pembrolizumab treated rats

Aim: Pembrolizumab (PEMB) is a monoclonal antibody that blocks PD-1 and is an effective immunotherapy drug. Anastrazole (ANAST) is an infertility inhibitor of aromatase. Similarly, resveratrol (RES) is an effective antioxidant polyphenol in the reproductive system and acts as a natural aromatase inhibitor. This study was planned to demonstrate the protective effects of ANAST and RES against PEMB-induced reproductive damage. Materials and Methods: 42 Sprauge-Dawley rats were used in the study. Rats were randomly divided into 6 equal groups (n = 7); The control, PEMB, PEMB + ANAST, PEMB + RES, RES, ANAST. At the end of the 30-day experiment, rats were sacrificed under ketamine-xylazine anesthesia. Testicular tissue samples were taken from rats for biochemical and histological evaluations. Tissues were subjected to routine tissue follow-up for histological analysis. Biochemically, TBARS, GSH, CAT, SOD, GSH-Px levels were measured spectrophotometrically. Sperm motility, abnormal sperm rate and epididymal sperm concentration were examined as spermatologically. Serum Testosterone and PD-1 levels were measured using the Elisa method. Results: TBARS levels were significantly increased and GSH, SOD, GPx and CAT levels were decreased in PEMB-treated rats as a result of laboratory analysis. It was determined that ANAST and RES changes these changes in the opposite direction. Histologically; Control, ANAST and RES groups testis samples were observed with normal histological appearance by H-E staining method. Histological damage was detected in seminiferous tubule structures in testicular tissue in PEMB group. In PEMB + RES and PEMB + ANAST groups, this histological damage was decreased. Sperm quality and reproductive performance were determined in spermatological analysis experiments. In addition, PD-1 and testosterone levels were evaluated by Elisa method and the thesis was supported. Conclusion: ANAST and RES have therapeutic effects against reproductive damage caused by PEMB. Key words: Pembrolizumab, Testis, Anastrazole, Resveratrol