Sorafenib Induced Oxidative Stress in Testicular Tissue of Male Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract

Objective: Male gonadal toxicity is a common complication of modern anti-cancer treatments. Oxidative stress can lead to damage to the structure of testis and germ cells. Oxidative stress develops in association with an imbalance between reactive oxygen radicals and the antioxidant reserve system. Antioxidants are compound that protect cell against the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of sorafenib on antioxidative enzyme superoxide dismutase in testicular tissue of male Swiss albino mice. Materials and Methods: The animals were segregated into control, positive control, and treatment groups (n=6 in each group). Treatment group received 25, 50 and 100mg/kg body weight of sorafenib orally for seven consecutive days at intervals of 24 hours between two administrations. Positive control group received 100 mg/kg body weight of imatinib. The animals were sacrificed at the end of 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 7th and 10th week after the last exposure to sorafenib. The testis were removed, weighed, and processed for superoxide dismutase activity assay. Results: The superoxide dismutase activity was reduced significantly (P<0.05) during the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th and 7th week sampling time in mice treated with all the doses of sorafenib. Superoxide dismutase activity returned closer to control group in 10th week sampling time. Conclusion: The administration of sorafenib decreases the superoxide dismutase activity in testicular tissue. It lead to imbalance between antioxidant system and reactive oxygen species generation, which produced the oxidative stress.