The Protective Role of Gilaburu in Amiodarone-Induced Testicular Damage: Immunohistochemical Evaluation via the TNF-α Pathway

Year 2025, Volume: 32 Issue: 2, 169 - 175, 19.06.2025

Meltem Özgöçmen , Nazife Karakeçi , Dilek Ulusoy Karatopuk

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of Gilaburu (GL) in mitigating testicular damage induced by the antiarrhythmic drug Amiodarone (AD) in rats.
Materials and Methods: Rats were randomly assigned to four groups: Group Control: received no treatment. Group Amiodarone (AD): received AD (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Group Amiodarone + Gilaburu (GL): received both AD (100 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and GL (100 mg/kg, orally). Group Gilaburu: received GL alone (100 mg/kg, orally). Following a 10-day experimental period, the animals were euthanized. The left testis was harvested for histological and immunohistochemical examinations, while the right testis and epididymis were collected for testicular weight measurement, sperm isolation, count, and motility analysis.
Results: AD administration results in significant testicular damage, as evidenced by histopathological alterations such as irregularly shaped seminiferous tubules, a reduced number of spermatogenic cells, degeneration, and pyknotic nuclei. The highest testicular weight, sperm count, progressive motility, and total motility values were recorded in the control group, whereas the GL group exhibited values comparable to those of the control, with no statistically significant difference observed between them. In contrast, the AD and AD+GL groups demonstrated significant reductions in histopathological analysis, Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) stainings, spermiogram analysis (p < 0.05). However, the co-administration of GL with AD mitigated these adverse effects, reducing testicular damage.
Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that Gilaburu has a protective effect against AD-induced testicular damage, potentially attributed to its potent antioxidant properties.

Keywords

Amiodarone , gilaburu , testis , immunohistochemical analysis , TNF- α

Ethical Statement

Ethical approval was obtained from the Süleyman Demirel University Animal Experiments Ethics Committee of (HADYEK) on 15.09.2022, 06/69, and all procedures were carried out in strict accordance with established ethical guidelines.

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