Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Protect against Oxaliplatin Induced Testicular Damage: Biochemical, Histological, Immunohistochemical, and Genotoxic Study

Oxaliplatin is a chemotherapeutic drug used for colorectal cancer treatment. The testicular toxic effect is one of its recorded toxicities which resulted in a few studies. Oxidative stress could be a direct cause of this testicular toxicity. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CONPs) are optimistic antioxidants for applications in medicine. The aim of the work is to study the protective effect of CONPs on testicular toxicity induced by oxaliplatin in rats. Forty adult male albino rats were divided into 4 groups: Control group, CONPs group (60 mg/kg, 5 times/week), Oxaliplatin group (4 mg/kg, twice/week), and Oxaliplatin & CONPs group, for 4 weeks. Seventy-two hours after the last administration, blood samples were taken for hormonal levels and testes were used for both histopathology and immunohistochemical microscopic examination. Sperm smears were also performed and their results were statistically analyzed to detect any sperm abnormalities. Oxaliplatin increased MDA levels. SOD and GPx activity was decreased. GSH levels were decreased. Also, it decreased the sperm cell count and serum testosterone, and anti-Müllerian hormon. In the testicular sections, significant histopathology changes were seen and immunohistochemical examination confirmed these results. Upon supplementation of CONPs with oxaliplatin decreased MDA levels. SOD and GPx activity was increased, and GSH did not change. In testicular sections, normal morphology was seen. Also, there was an increase in the sperm cell count and serum testosterone anti-Müllerian with significant improvement of testicular architecture, and immunohistochemical examination confirmed these results. The utilization of CONPs produced significant protection against all of the above-mentioned changes.

Neuroprotective Effects of Hesperidin and Benfotiamine against Paraquat Induced Spinal Cord Neurotoxicity in Adult Male Albino Rats

Introduction: There are extensive people exposures to paraquat (PQ) herbicide resulting in human health hazards. Aim of the Work: To compare the beneficial neuroprotective effects of hesperidin and benfotiamine on paraquat (PQ)-induced spinal cord neurotoxic effects in rats. Materials and Methods: Rats were divided into 4 groups as following: control, paraquat (PQ 20.8 mg/kg, oral gavage (e.g.)), paraquat + benfotiamine (50 mg/kg, oral gavage (e.g.)) and paraquat + hesperidin (40 mg/kg, oral gavage (e.g.)). PQ is given as the previous dose. Rats are treated 6 days per week. Results: There was a significant increased mean value of malondialdehyde associated with a significant reduction in the content of reduced glutathione and antioxidant enzymes activities associated with a significant increase in Serum phosphorylated neurofilament-H, neurospecific enolase and s100 levels were recorded and significant spinal cord histopathological changes in paraquat treated group as compared to their corresponding values in the control group and immunohistochemical examination confirmed these results. Upon supplementation with benfotiamine and hesperidin to paraquat treated rats, there was a significant decrease in the mean values of malondialdehyde associated with a marked increase in the content of reduced glutathione and antioxidant enzymes activities associated with a significant decrease in Serum phosphorylated neurofilament-H, neurospecific enolase and s100 levels were also recorded with significant improvement of spinal cord architecture when compared with the paraquat treated group. Conclusion: The use of benfotiamine and hesperidin produced a significant protection against all of the above-mentioned changes.