The Possible Effect of β -carotene on Nicotine Withdrawal in Testicular Tissue of Adult Male Albino Rats. Histological and Immunohistochemical Study.

Abstract

AbstractBackground and Objectives: Nicotine in cigarette smoking possesses damaging effect on testis. This study was designed to evaluate and compare the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of β carotene on nicotine induced testicular damage during nicotine withdrawal.Materials and Methods:Thirty-nine adult male albino rats were used, 9 rats were control (GI), the remaining rats divided equally into 5 groups: GII (β carotene), GIII (Nicotine), GIV(Nicotine withdrawal), GV (Nicotine withdrawal therapeutic), GVI (Nicotine withdrawal prophylactic group). β carotene (10mg/kg/day) was injected intraperitoneally for 4 weeks. Nicotine (4 mg/kg/day) was injected intraperitoneally for 4 weeks. Before sacrifaction, blood samples were drawn to assess serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and testosterone. After sacrifaction, testicular sections were stained with H&E, Masson trichrome (to reveal collagen fiber deposition and distribution) and immunohistochemically for Vimentin (Sertoli cell intermediate filament(. Morphometric measurements were done by computerized image analysis.Results:Groups I and II showed similar results with normal testicular histological architecture, biochemical and morphometrical results. Deterioration of histological architecture, biochemical and morphometric parameters were recorded in groups III, IV and V (mostly GIII) with significant decrease in diameter of seminiferous tubules, height of spermatogenic epithelium, area percent of vimentin reaction and significant increase in area percent of collagen fibres deposition compared to GI. GVI showed better results than GIII, GIV and GV with restoration of normal testicular histological structure.Conclusion: β carotene could help in improving spermatogenesis. Administration of β carotene prophylactically during nicotine exposure and withdrawal gives better histological, biochemical and morphometrical results than therapeutic administration during nicotine withdrawal period only.