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Radioprotective effect of a combination of melatonin and metformin on mice spermatogenesis: A histological study
Tajabadi, Elham; Javadi, Abdolreza; Azar, Nasim Ahmadi; Najafi, Masoud; Shirazi, Alireza; Shabeeb, Dheyauldeen & Musa, Ahmed Eleojo
Abstract
Background: The spermatogenesis system includes highly radiosensitive cells. Hence,
this system is a potential target for toxic effects of ionizing radiation during radiotherapy
of abdomen and pelvis cancers, as well as after accidental radiation events. Accordingly, metformin and melatonin are two important radioprotectors that have
shown an ability to prevent cell death through neutralization of free radicals and
stimulating DNA damage responses.
Objective: To evaluate the radioprotective effects of melatonin and metformin on mice
spermatogenesis when administered alone or as a combination.
Materials and Methods: In this histological Study, 40 (6-8 wk, 30 gr) NMRI
mice were divided into 8 groups (n = 5/each) as control, metformin, melatonin,
melatonin + metformin, radiation, radiation + melatonin, radiation + metformin, and
radiation + melatonin + metformin. 37 days after the irradiation, the testicular tissues
were collected for histological evaluation.
Results: Single administration of melatonin could ameliorate effectively radiation
toxicity in mice testis. Metformin showed radioprotective effects on some parameters
such as the numbers of spermatogonia and mature sperms. Interestingly, the melatonin
and metformin combination reversed the reduced number of sperms rather than single
drug administration.
Conclusion: The combination of melatonin with metformin can protect mice
spermatogenesis against ionizing radiation more effectively compared to the single
forms of these drugs.
Keywords
Radiation; Testis; Leydig cells; Melatonin; Metformin; Spermatogenesis.
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