Abstract
Millions of patients who administer or abuse tramadol to relieve chronic pain may suffer from infertility. Thymoquinone (TQ) is a major active component of nigella sativa oil, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The present work aimed to clarify effects of tramadol and TQ on epididymis of adult male rabbits. Forty adult male rabbits aged 3 months were used for one month & divided equally into 4 groups: Group 1 as a control group; group 2 was treated with tramadol 30 mg/kg orally/day, group 3 was treated with TQ 20 mg/kg orally/day and group 4 as a protected group that was treated with TQ 20 mg/kg & tramadol 30 mg/kg orally/day. The epididymis was processed for histological and immunohistochemical (IHC) study for detection of epididymal structure and caspase-3 as an indicator of epididymal apoptotic changes. Statistical analysis of apoptotic index, area% of collagen and caspase-3 immunoexpression was carried out. Group 2 showed epithelial thinning of epididymal wall, degeneration and vacuolation of epithelial cells with disturbance of stromal collagen fibers. Also, a significant increase of apoptotic index, area % of collagen and caspase-3 cytoplasmic immunoexpression in epididymal epithelium was noticed in group 2. While, Group 3 and 4 showed improvement of the histological and IHC changes described in group 2. It is concluded that tramadol intake exerted toxic effects on epididymal structure while, TQ minimized these effects. Therefore, intake of TQ with tramadol is advised to protect the epididymis from the hazardous effects of tramadol abuse.
Highlights
There is a growing interest in male reproductive toxicity due to hazardous effects of drugs, industrial chemicals and environmental pollutions [1]
(1) Control group (G1): Histological examination of epididymis from G1 showed pseudostratified columnar epithelium (PSCE) resting on a thin lamina propria (LP) and multiple layers of circular smooth muscle fibers (SMF) while the CE lumen (L) had spermatozoa (S)
Masson trichrome stained sections of G1 had a thin interstitium of loose areolar connective tissue (LACT) in figure 2A while; the immunostained sections showed a weak cytoplasmic immunoexpression of caspase-3 in epithelial cells of CE ducts in figure3A
Summary
There is a growing interest in male reproductive toxicity due to hazardous effects of drugs, industrial chemicals and environmental pollutions [1]. Epididymal toxicity gains importance as it led to male infertility where epididymis improves maturation, post-testicular transport and storage of spermatozoa. The basal cells (BCs) and apical cells (ACs) are intermingled between numerous principal cells (PCs). The tall columnar PCs are very active in protein synthesis, secretion and transport of tiny molecules with absorption of fluid and particulate matter. The main function of epididymis is the production of a specific microenvironment to mature and transport sperms through absorption and secretion of different protein substances. These substances help sperms to survive, induce progressive sperm motility and acquire a
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