Effects of corchorus olitorius and protocatechuic acid on cadmium-induced rat testicular tissue degeneration

Abstract

Background/Aims: Cadmium element, a heavy metal, has toxic effects on the reproductive system. The current study investigates the possible therapeutic effects of Corchorus olitorius (CO) and Protocatechuic acid (PCA) on the damage caused by cadmium chloride on rat testicular tissue. Materials and Methods: Control, CO, PCA, cadmium chloride, cadmium chloride + PCA and cadmium chloride + CO was formed groups. CO and PCA was administered orally 250 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg respectively. Cadmium chloride dose of 3.5 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally. At the end of the three-week experiment period, body weight of rats was measured then testicular tissues were removed and weighed separately. Testicular tissue sections were stained with, Hematoxylene & Eosin, Periodic Acid Shiff, Masson trichrome and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). TUNEL (+) apoptotic cells were counted and evaluated statistically. Results: Testicular weights of the cadmium-given group decreased significantly compared to the control groups. In the cadmium-administered group, basal membrane structures and seminiferous tubules were disrupted, tubules without sperm were observed, connective tissue and inflammatory cell increase and oedema occurred in the interstitial space. It was determined that degeneration was continuing in the treatment groups, but inflammatory cell numbers and oedema in the interstitial tissue were reduced. Additionally, the same seminiferous tubules with sperm were also observed. It was observed that apoptotic cells increased significantly in the cadmium-administered group compared to the control groups and decreased in the treatment groups. Conclusion: PCA and CO were realized to be unable to completely prevent but reduce the toxic effects of cadmium on testicular tissue.