Histopathological effect of shilajit on the testes damage caused by methotrexate in rats

With this study, it is aimed to investigate histopathological effect of shilajit (PS) on testes damage caused by methotrexate (MTX) on rats. In this study, twenty four Spraque Dawley type male rats were seperated into four groups. No application was done on the 1st Group (Control Group). Single doze 20mg/kg MTX was given to the 2nd Group (MTX Group) as intraperitonal. 100 mg/kg PS dissolved in 2ml/kg distilled water was given to the 3rd Group (MTX + PS Group) in the first day (0th day) of the experiment period (7 days) 15 minutes before single doze i.p. 20 mg/kg MTX is given by gavage. Every other day following the 0th day rats were given 100 mg/kg PS dissolved in 2 ml/kg distilled water by gavage two more times, totally three times. 0th day and the following every other day 100 mg/kg PS dissolved in 2 ml/kg distillate water were given to the 4th Group (PS Group) by gavaj three times totally. At the end of the experiment period left testes of all the animals were taken by sacrificing. Testes tissue samples were evaluated histopathologically in the light microscope.Histopathologically, while remarkable decreace was observed in the seminiferous tubules diameter and seminiferous epithelium thickness in MTX group, increase in the seminiferous tubules diameter and seminiferous epithelium thickness in MTX+PS group in comparison with MTX group. When morphological findings were evaluated, in testessectios belong to the MTX group, immature seminiferous epithelium cells and lack of spermatozoas in lumen, irregularity in seminiferous tubule epithelium, irregularity in the basal membrane of seminiferous tubule and oedema in interstitial area were observed. In testes sections belong to the MTX+PS groups, no irregularity in the seminiferous tubules epithelium and no pathology except for a few seminiferous tubules in immature seminiferous tubule epithelium cells in lumen was found.Our findings shows that MTX causes testes damage and PS application can prevent this damage. Consequently, we think that PS can be useful in the prevention of the testes damage that happens after MTX treatment.Key Words: Methotrexate, Shilajit, Oxidative stress, Rat, Testes