Volume 13, Issue 5 (7-2015)                   IJRM 2015, 13(5): 291-296 | Back to browse issues page

XML Persian Abstract Print


Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:

Bakhtiary Z, Shahrooz R, Ahmadi A, Zarei L. Protective effects of ethyl pyruvate on sperm quality in cyclophosphamide treated mice. IJRM 2015; 13 (5) :291-296
URL: http://ijrm.ir/article-1-648-en.html
1- Department of Comparative Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran , sara_bakhtiari1@yahoo.com
2- Department of Comparative Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
3- Solid Tumor Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Science, Urmia, Iran
Full-Text [PDF 132 kb]   (909 Downloads)     |   Abstract (HTML)  (2430 Views)
Full-Text:   (374 Views)
Introduction
 
Chemotherapy is a common medication for preventing the development as well as suppressing tumor cells. In this therapeutic process the bodies other fast-growing cells are destroyed in addition to cancer cells (1). Despite enhancing functions of chemotherapy, studies have shown that these cytotoxic factors lead to the production of free radicals which cause side effects of these drugs (2). Chemicals with deleterious effects on spermatogenesis lead to production of damaged gem cells from standpoint of quality and function. These cells in turn, lead to congenital anomalies, fetal mortality or background to develop cancer (3).
Cyclophosphamide (CP) is one of the most common drugs used in chemotherapy which is produced and used to treatment of tumors as well as its beneficial effects in controlling tumors and cancer tissues, it has many side effects. Reproductive system poisoning is the major side effect of CP in humans and animals (4, 5). The metabolism of CP is completed by microsomal enzymes of the liver, and CP is transformed to its active metabolites phosphor amide mustard and acrolein (6). Acrolein is a toxic metabolite of CP that disturbs antioxidant system of tissues and produces high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (7, 8).
The status in which the levels of oxidants are high and/or the levels of antioxidants are low in cells is called oxidative stress. In this condition the concentration of oxygen free radicals is higher than their biological amounts (9, 10). Thus, CP-produced free radicals in the cells cause oxidative stress in the body especially in reproductive system and newly forming and maturing spermatozoa in testis and epididymis leads to decrease of fertility in men undergoing the treatment (5, 11, 12). On the other hand, spermatozoa due to high contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids as well as low antioxidant capacity are more sensitive to oxidative damages (13). Meanwhile, the investigations have shown that oxidative damages induced by CP arise from hydrogen peroxide production (14). In the same line, other papers have reported the role of antioxidants in reducing DNA damage and apoptosis in spermatozoa as well as increasing fertility (15, 16).
A study revealed that Satureja Khuzestanica extract because of its antioxidant properties could ameliorate sperm quality in the CP treated mice (17). Another study also showed that Achillea Millefolium extract prevents toxic side effects of the CP on sperm quality parameters in rats (18). Bearing in mind that antioxidative compounds can protect cells against harmful free radicals produced in the chemotherapy process in this study we used Ethyl pyruvate (EP) as a synthetic antioxidant. Because of its instability there is a limitation in using pyruvate as a drug. So, we used EP consisted of pyruvic acid and ethanol. Pyruvate works in the cell through removing ROS (19-21).
In addition, EP has several therapeutic applications including; as a suppressor of tumor development a therapeutic factor in acute pulmonary diseases and an ameliorating agent of disorders associated with hemorrhagic shock in the body (22-24). Ethyl pyruvate caused improvement in sperm quality on the Methotrexate-treated mice (25). Because, the effect of EP on the sperm quality in the CP treated mice has not been studied so far, this study was carried out to evaluate the antioxidative effects of EP on parameters of semen including the number, motility, viability, DNA damage level, and nucleus maturity of spermatozoa.
 
Materials and methods
 
Groups and treatment
In this exprimental study that has been done in Veterinary faculty of Urmia University in 2013, 24 mice were randomly divided in to three groups. The control group received normal saline (0.2 ml, IP). The CP group received CP (15 mg/kg/week, IP) (26). CP+EP group were administrated with CP as well as EP (40 mg/kg/day, IP) (27).
 
Chemicals
Cyclophosphamide was supplied by human drug store (Baxter, Germany 500 mg) and EP was purchased from SIGMA-USA-ALDRICH-E47808.
 
Animals and treatment groups
In this experimental study, 24 male healthy mice (NMRI) aged 8-12 weeks were used. These mice were kept in standard conditions including temperature 22±2oC, humidity 30-60%, and light/dark cycle of 14 and 10 hours respectively. The experimental project was approved by ethics committee of Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. During the course of this experiment, we followed the recommendations by our Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee for the handling, maintenance, treatment, and killing of the animals.
 
Sperm sampling
Following the treatment course (35 days), the animals were euthanized with ketamine over dose (100 mg kg-1).Then, both epididymis (cauda and vas) of each mouse were transferred to a 60 mm Petri dish containing 1 ml Human Tubal Fluid (HTF; Sigma, St. Louis, USA) culture and 4 mg mL-1 bovine serum albumin (BSA; Sigma, St. Louis, USA) medium pre-warmed to 37oC. The caudate was minced making 5-7 slashes with a 30-gauge needle of an insulin syringe. After 30 min of incubation at 37oC in 5% CO2, spermatozoa were released from epididymis (28).
 
Assessment of sperm count
After preparing a 1:20 dilution of spermatozoa using distilled water, 10µl of the solution was transferred on to a Neobar slide which a stone cover slip had been placed on it before and then spermatozoa were counted (29).
 
Evaluation of spermatozoa motility
A volume of 10 µl of sperm containing culture medium was placed on a Neobar slide and was covered with as tone cover glass. Sperm motility was assessed by using a light microscope at 10× and 20× magnifications (30).
 
Evaluation of sperm viability
Twenty microliters of the sperm sample was placed on a clean slide and then 20 µl eosin solution was added. After 20-30 sec 20 µl nigrosin was further added. After preparing smears and drying slides, the percentages of alive (colorless) and dead (colored with eosin) spermatozoa were determined with a light microscope (at magnification of 10-40×) (29).
 
DNA strand damage level evaluation
DNA damage was observed as yellow to red fluorescence based on the level of damage by using acridine orange staining. In this method, semen was washed three times with PBS and after removing supernatant liquid, obtained sediment was reached final volume using PBS. Then, smear was prepared from sperm culture and after drying in lab, was sunken in acetone/ ethanol (1:1) solution. After air drying the slides were immersed in acridine orange for 7 min. After final drying in a dark place the slides were assessed using a fluorescence microscope with a 100× lens and the results were reported as percentage (31).
 
Sperm chromatin condensation evaluation
Similar to the above method, after stabilizing in ethanol-acetone solution and drying in the air, the slides were placed for 7 min in aniline blue solution and again after drying were examined by alight microscope with 10×100 magnification. Thus, immature spermatozoa appeared grayish dark blue due to high histone levels but mature spermatozoa were stained pale (31).
 
Morphological evaluation of spermatozoa
Two staining methods were used, including aniline blue and eosin-nigrosin. Aniline blue staining was used for counting abnormal appearance spermatozoa, while for counting spermatozoa containing cytoplasmic residues (immature spermatozoa) the eosin-nigrosin staining was applied (29).
 
Statistical analysis
The data were analyzed by SPSS (Version 20; SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA) and one-way ANOVA and Tukey test for comparing the pair groups independently were used. P<0.05 was considered significant.
 
Results
 
The average number of spermatozoa in CP group in comparison with control and CP+EP groups revealed a decrease. In this study it was shown that EP could increase the average number of spermatozoa significantly comparing to the CP group (Table I). The percentage of motile spermatozoa in the groups indicates that there was a significant decrease in the CP group in comparison with the control group and CP+EP groups. In this case also EP caused a significant increase in sperm motility in the CP+EP group comparing to the CP group (Table I).
Following the staining with aniline blue the number of immature spermatozoa was calculated and results suggested a significant increase in the percentage of immature spermatozoa in the CP group relative to control and CP+EP groups. The CP+EP group showed a significant decrease in comparison with the CP group (Table II). Current study reveals that the fraction of damaged, single stranded and broken DNA in the CP group had a significant increase relative to the control group, and in the CP+EP group it was significantly decreased in comparison with the CP group (Table II). In this investigation the spermatozoa with normal morphology suggested a significant drop in the CP group compared to the control group and the CP+EP group.In this case also the CP+EP group showed a significant reduction of malformed spermatozoa in comparison with the CP group. The percentage of live spermatozoa that were stained with eosin- nigrosin method indicated a significant decrease in the CP group relative to the control and EP groups. EP could increase this parameter significantly in the CP+EP group compared to the other groups (Table I).

 
Table I. Different parameters of sperm quality in different groups


Table II. Mean percentage of sperm chromatin condensation and DNA disintegrity in different groups









Discussion
 
Despite the beneficial therapeutic effects of chemotherapy, it causes severe oxidative stress. Current study looks for a way to damp the toxic side effects of the drugs. This study showed that the mean number of sperms was increased significantly in the EP+CP group compared to the CP group (p<0.05). Crocin (extract of saffron) with its antioxidant properties could increase the number of spermatozoa in the CP-treated mice (32). Toxic side effects of CP on spermatocytogenesis and spermiogenesis and so on germinal epithelium destruction could be the result of decrease of sperm generation (33).
Sperm motility reduction in the CP group compared to the other groups in the present study is probably related to generation of ROS by CP since the produced ROS in mitochondria caused mitochondrial DNA damage on middle piece of spermatozoa all of these deleterious effects may be able to decrease sperm motility (14, 34, 35). This study showed that the mean percentage of DNA damaged and DNA broken sperm in CP group has been increased significantly (p<0.05), probably this process was resulted from oxidative stress induced by ROS generation (36-38). Some studies confirmed the beneficial effects of antioxidants in decreasing of sperm DNA damage then the significant increase of this parameter in the EP+CP group compared to the CP group was probably related to antioxidant properties of EP (15, 16). Also observation of significant increase in mean number of normal morphology and viability in the EP+CP group compared to the CP group could be caused by decreasing of ROS by EP, because according to previous studies, the rate of ROS generation is directly related to the number of dead or abnormal spermatozoa (39). Study of sperm nucleus maturation showed that this parameter increased significantly in the EP+CP group in comparison with the CP group. One of the protective factors of sperm DNA against the oxidative stress is condensation of DNA (protamination) and conversely the increasing of ROS causes changes in all bases, deletion and uncoupling of complement bases, morphological and cross junction changes of DNA and changes in reorganization of chromosomes (40, 41). Then, decreasing of mean percentage of spermatozoa with immature nucleus is a robust reason for decreasing the rate of ROS by EP antioxidant effects.
All previous studies that have been done on CP state that this drug has some deleterious effects on reproductive system and diminishes sperm quality. These results are in-line with the results of the current study. Meanwhile, EP was able to modulate all parameters of ROS-affected sperm including count, motility, viability, DNA breakage, nucleus maturity, and sperm morphology. Of course, this enhancement was not in the level of the control group. With regard to beneficial applications of ROS production, this study investigated the anti-oxidative role of EP to regulate CP side effects on the reproductive system and sperm quality (19-21).
Due to its instability, application of pyruvate is limited. So, EP which consists of pyruvic acid and ethanol is used. EP is a major anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress agent that has therapeutic characteristics in different conditions including protective effects on nerves against parquet poisoning a powerful supporter against spinal cord ischemic injury through inhibiting secretion of HMGB1 (42-44).
 
Conclusion
 
Production of high amounts of free radicals in chemotherapies including CP with inducing oxidative stress in the body, leads to the poisoning of the reproduction system and reducing sperm quality in patients under treatment. This study reveals that using EP as an antioxidant leads to an increase in sperm quality in CP-treated animals through creating a protection against the undesirable effects of the CP.

Acknowledgements
 
This article financially supported by Histology and Embryology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University.
 
Conflict of interest
 
There was no conflict of interest regarding our results.

 
Type of Study: Original Article |

References
1. El-Sayyad HI, Ismail MF, Shalaby FM, Abou-El-Magd RF, Gaur RL, Fernando A, et al. Histopathological effects of cisplatin, doxorubicin and 5-flurouracil (5-FU) on the liver of male albino rats. Int J Biol Sci 2009; 5: 466-473. [DOI:10.7150/ijbs.5.466]
2. Weigl NI, Cleton FJ, Osanto S. Free radicals and antioxidants in chemotherapy-induced toxicity. Cancer Treat Rev 1997; 23: 209-240. [DOI:10.1016/S0305-7372(97)90012-8]
3. Robair B, Hales BF. Mechanisms of action of cyclophosphamide as a male-mediated developmental toxicant. Adv Exp Med Biol 2003; 518: 169-180. [DOI:10.1007/978-1-4419-9190-4_14]
4. Brock N. Oxazaphosphorinecytostatics: past-present-future. Seventh Cain Memorial Award lecture. Cancer Res 1989; 49: 1-7.
5. Howell S, Shalet S. Gonadal damage from chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am 1998; 27: 927-943. [DOI:10.1016/S0889-8529(05)70048-7]
6. Ludeman SM, The chemistry of the metabolites of cyclophosphamide. Curr Pharm Des 1999; 5: 627-643.
7. Arumugam N, Silvakumar V, Thanislass J, Devaraj H. Effects of acrolein on rat liver antioxidant defense system. Indian J Exp Biol 1997; 35: 1373-1374.
8. Mythili Y, Sudharsan PT, Sulvakumar E, Varalakshmi P. Protective effect of DL-α-lipoic acid on cyclophosphamide induced oxidative cardiac injury. Chem Biol Interact 2004; 151: 13-19. [DOI:10.1016/j.cbi.2004.10.004]
9. Gonzalez-Flecha B, Reides C, Cutrin JC, Liesuy SF, Boveris A. Oxidative stress produced by suprahepatic occlusion and reperfusion. Hepatology 1993; 18: 881-889. [DOI:10.1002/hep.1840180421]
10. Sikka SC. Relative impact of oxidative stress on male reproductive function. Curr Med Chem 2001; 8: 851-862. [DOI:10.2174/0929867013373039]
11. Qureshi MS, Pennington JH, Goldsmith HJ, Cox PE. Cyclophosphamide therapy and sterility. Lancet 1972; 2: 1290-1291. [DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(72)92657-8]
12. Chapman RM. Gonadal injury resulting from chemotherapy. Am J Ind Med 1983; 4: 149-161. [DOI:10.1002/ajim.1983.4.1-2.149]
13. Vernet P, Aitken RJ, Drevet JR. Antioxidant strategies in the epididymis. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2004; 216: 31-39. [DOI:10.1016/j.mce.2003.10.069]
14. Murata M, Suzuki T, Midorikawa K, Oikawa S, Kawanishi S. Oxidative DNA damage induced by a hydroperoxide derivative of cyclophosphamide. Free Radic Biol Med 2004; 37: 793-802. [DOI:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2004.05.009]
15. Greco E, Romano S, Iacobelli M, Ferrero S, Baroni E, Minasi MG. ICSI in cases of sperm DNA damage: beneficial effect of oral antioxidant treatment. Hum Reprod 2005; 20: 2590-2594. [DOI:10.1093/humrep/dei091]
16. Hughes CM, Lewis SE, McKelvey-Martin VJ, Thompson W. The effects of antioxidant supplementation during Percoll preparation on human sperm DNA integrity. Hum Reprod 1998; 13: 1240-1247. [DOI:10.1093/humrep/13.5.1240]
17. Rezvanfar MA, Sadrkhanlou RA, Ahmadi A, Shojaei-Sadee H, A Mohammadirad, Salehnia A, et al. Protection of cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity in reproductive tract histology, sperm characteristics, and DNA damage by an herbal source; evidence for role of free-radical toxic stress. Hum Exp Toxicol 2008; 27: 901. [DOI:10.1177/0960327108102046]
18. ShalizarJalali A, Hasanzadeh SH, Malekinejad H. Achillea millefolium inflorescence aqueous extract ameliorates cyclophosphamide-induced toxicity in rat testis: stereological evidences. Chinese J Natural Med 2012; 10: 247-254. [DOI:10.3724/SP.J.1009.2012.00247]
19. Wang X, Perez E, Liu R, Yan LJ, Mallet RT, Yang SH. Pyruvate protects mitochondria from oxidative stress in human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells. Brain Res 2007; 1132: 1-9. [DOI:10.1016/j.brainres.2006.11.032]
20. Jagtap JC, Chandele A, Chopde BA, Shastry P. Sodium pyruvate protects against H(2)O(2) mediated apoptosis in human neuroblastoma cell line-SK-NMC. J Chem Neuroanat 2003; 26: 109-118. [DOI:10.1016/S0891-0618(03)00037-1]
21. Hinoi E, Takarada T, Tsuchihashi Y, Fujimori S, Moriguchi N, Wang L, et al. A molecular mechanism of pyruvate protection against cytotoxicity of reactive oxygen species in osteoblasts. Mol Pharmacol 2006; 70: 925-935. [DOI:10.1124/mol.106.024398]
22. Suffoletto BP, Salcido DD, Logue ES, Caprio TW, Menegazzi JJ. Ethyl pyruvate enhances intra-resuscitation hemodynamics in prolonged ventricular fibrillation arrest. Resuscitation 2009; 80: 1411-1416. [DOI:10.1016/j.resuscitation.2009.08.014]
23. Johansson AS, Palmblad J. Ethyl pyruvate modulates adhesive and secretory reactions in human lung epithelial cells. Life Sci 2009; 84: 805-809. [DOI:10.1016/j.lfs.2009.03.012]
24. Cai B, Brunner M, Wang H, Wang P, Deitch EA, Ulloa L. Ethyl pyruvate improves survival in awake hemorrhage. J Mol Med 2009; 87: 423-433. [DOI:10.1007/s00109-009-0441-8]
25. Atashfaraz E, Farokhi F, Najafi GH. Protective Effect of Ethyl Pyruvate on Epididymal Sperm Characteristics, Oxidative Stress and Testosterone Level in Methotrexate Treated Mice. J Reprod Infertil 2013; 14: 190-196.
26. Selvakumar E, Prahalathan C, Sudharsan PT, and Varalakshmi P. Protective effect of lipoic acid on cyclophosphamide-induced testicular toxicity. Clinia Chimica Acta 2006; 367: 114-119. [DOI:10.1016/j.cca.2005.11.034]
27. Yang R, Shaufl AL, Killeen ME, Fink MP. Ethyl pyruvate ameliorates liver injury secondary to severe acute pancreatitis. J Surg Res 2009; 153: 302-309. [DOI:10.1016/j.jss.2008.04.004]
28. Hedrich H. The Laboratory mouse: Handbook of experimental animals. 2nd Ed. New York, USA: Academic press 2006; 439-446.
29. Zobeiri F, Sadrkhanlou RA, Salami S, Mardani K, Ahmadi A. The effect of ciprofloxacin on sperm DNA damage, fertility potential and early embryonic development in NMRI mice. Veterinary Research Forum 2012; 3: 131-135.
30. Mehraban F, Jafari M, Akbartabar Toori M, Sadeghi H, Joodi B, Mostafazade M, et al. Effects of date palm pollen (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and Astragalus ovinus on sperm parameters and sex hormones in adult male rats. Iran J Reprod Med 2014; 12: 705-712.
31. Erenpreiss J, Bars J, Lipatnikova V, Erenpreisa J, Zalkalns J. Comprative study of cytochemical tests for sperm chromatin integrity. J Androl 2001; 22: 45-53.
32. Bakhtiary Z, Shahrooz R, Ahmadi A, Zarei L. Evaluation of antioxidant effects of crocin on sperm quality in cyclophosphamide treated adult mice. Veterinary Research Forum 2014; 5: 213-218.
33. Meistrich ML. Relationship between spermatogonial stem cell survival and testis function after cytotoxic therapy. Brit J Cancer 1986; 53: 89-101.
34. Kumar TR, Doreswamy K, Shrilatha B, Muralidhara. Oxidative stress associated DNA damage in testis of mice: induction of abnormal sperms and effects on fertility. Mutat Res 2002; 513: 103-111. [DOI:10.1016/S1383-5718(01)00300-X]
35. Koppers AJ, De luliis GN, Finnie JM, McLaughlin EA, Aiyken RJ. Significance of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in the generation of oxidative stress in spermatozoa. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008; 93: 3199-3207. [DOI:10.1210/jc.2007-2616]
36. Das UB, Mallick M, Debnath JM, Ghosh D. Protective effect of ascorbic acid on cyclophosphamide- induced testicular gametogenic and androgenic disorders in male rats. Asian J Androl 2002; 4: 201-207.
37. Ghosh D, Das UB, Misro M. Protective role of alpha-tocopherol- succinate (provitamin-E) in cyclophosphamide induced testicular gametogenic and steroidogenic disorders: a correlative approach to oxidative stress. Free Radic Res 2002; 36: 1209-1218. [DOI:10.1080/1071576021000016472]
38. Manda K, Bhatia AL. Prophylactic action of melatonin against cyclophosphamide-induced oxidative stress in mice. Cell Biol Toxicol 2003; 19: 367-372. [DOI:10.1023/B:CBTO.0000013342.17370.16]
39. Iwasaki A, Gagnon C. Formation of oxygen reactive species in spermatozoa of infertile patients. Fertil Steril 1992; 57: 409-416. [DOI:10.1016/S0015-0282(16)54855-9]
40. Twigg J, Irvine DS, Aitken RJ. Oxidative damage to DNA in human spermatozoa does not preclude pronucleus formation at intra cytoplasmic sperm injection. Hum Reprod 1998; 13: 1864-1871. [DOI:10.1093/humrep/13.7.1864]
41. Duru NK, Moshedi M, Oehninger S. Effects of hydrogen peroxide on DNA and plasma membrane integrity of human spermatozoa. Fertil Steril 2000; 74: 1200-1207. [DOI:10.1016/S0015-0282(00)01591-0]
42. Lee J, Kwon W, Jo Y,Suh G, Youn Y. Protective effects of ethyl pyruvate treatment on paraquat-intoxicated rats. Hum Exp Toxicol 2008; 27: 49-54. [DOI:10.1177/0960327108088976]
43. Wang Q, Ding Q, Zhou Y, Gou X, Hou L, Chen S, et al. Ethyl pyruvate attenuates spinal cord ischemic injury with a wide therapeutic window through inhibiting high-mobility group box 1 release in rabbits. Anesthesiology 2009; 110: 1279-1286. [DOI:10.1097/ALN.0b013e3181a160d6]

Send email to the article author


Rights and permissions
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Designed & Developed by : Yektaweb