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Antioxidant treatment ameliorates germ cell apoptosis induced by a high-dose ionizing irradiation in rats

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Abstract

Background

Exposure to ionizing radiation results in cytotoxic and genotoxic effects caused mainly by the oxidative damage. In the present study, we investigated the radioprotective effect of novel antioxidant cocktail on germ cell apoptosis and spermatogenesis in rats subjected to whole body radiation (WBIR).

Methods

Adult male rats weighing 250–270 g were divided into four groups, eight rats each. Group 1 served as untreated control, group 2 received an IP single dose of antioxidant cocktail (1 ml). Group 3 was exposed to a WBIR (6 Gy). Group 4 received antioxidant cocktail before WBIR. Rats from each group were killed after 48 h. MDA levels were measured in serum (TBARS assay). Johnsen’s criteria and the number of germinal cell layers were used to categorize spermatogenesis. TUNEL assay was used to determine germ cell apoptosis. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA test.

Results

WBIR resulted in histological testicular damage (decrease in Johnsen’s criteria, p < 0.05) that was accompanied by a significant increase in germ cell apoptosis, expressed as the number of apoptotic cells per 100 tubules (AI-1 apoptotic index) and the number of positive tubules per 100 tubules (AI-2 apoptotic index). Treatment with antioxidant cocktail resulted in a significant decrease in germ cell apoptosis (33% decrease in AI-1, p < 0.05 and 34% decrease in AI-2, p < 0.05) that was accompanied by an improved spermatogenesis (increase in Johnsen’s criteria, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

In a rat model of WBIR, antioxidant treatment ameliorates oxidative stress-induced testicular damage, decreases germ cell apoptosis and improves spermatogenesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of intestinal adaptation and recovery, The Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel

    Igor Sukhotnik, O. Nativ, Y. Ben-Shahar, I. N. Bejar & Y. Pollak

  2. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Bnai Zion Medical Center, 47 Golomb St., P.O.B. 4940, Haifa, 31048, Israel

    Igor Sukhotnik, O. Nativ, Y. Ben-Shahar & I. N. Bejar

  3. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel

    M. Gorenberg

  4. Department of Urology, Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel

    O. Nativ

  5. Section of Pediatric Surgery, C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, US

    A. G. Coran

Authors
  1. Igor Sukhotnik
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  2. O. Nativ
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  3. Y. Ben-Shahar
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  4. I. N. Bejar
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  5. Y. Pollak
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  6. A. G. Coran
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  7. M. Gorenberg
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Correspondence to Igor Sukhotnik.

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Sukhotnik, I., Nativ, O., Ben-Shahar, Y. et al. Antioxidant treatment ameliorates germ cell apoptosis induced by a high-dose ionizing irradiation in rats. Pediatr Surg Int 35, 137–143 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-018-4385-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00383-018-4385-3

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