Açai Berry Attenuates Cyclophosphamide-Induced Damage in Genitourinary Axis-Modulating Nrf-2/HO-1 Pathways

Abstract

Cyclophosphamide (CYP) is used to treat different malignancies and autoimmune disorders in men. This chemotherapy frequently reduces tumors, which is beneficial, but also causes infertility because of severe oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the bladder and testes brought on by its metabolite, acrolein. The goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of a novel food, açai berry, in preventing CYP-induced damage in the bladder and testes. Methods: CYP was administered intraperitoneally once during the experiment at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight diluted in 10 mL/kg b.w. of water. Açai berry was administered orally at a dose of 500 mg/kg. Results: The administration of açai berry was able to reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, apoptosis, and histological changes in the bladder and testes after CYP injection. Conclusions: Our findings show for the first time that açai berry modulates physiological antioxidant defenses to protect the bladder and testes against CYP-induced changes.