The Effects of Vitamin E on Prevention of Damages Due to MDMA (Ecstasy) Exposure on Sperm Parameters in Mice

Abstract

Background: MDMA (Ecstasy; 3, 4-methylenedioxymethylamphetamine), an illicit drug that has been increasingly abused by young people, affects target organs including reproductive system induced by oxidative stress. In biological systems, lipid peroxidation is probably reduced effectively by Vitamin E, a strong antioxidant inhibiting free radicals. Objectives: The current study was an attempt to assess the protective effects of Vitamin E on serum biochemical indices and sperm quality parameters in MDMA treated mice. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 28 male albino mice were randomly assigned to four equal groups. Group 1 (control) received saline by gastric gavage and i.p.; Group 2 (MDMA) received MDMA (10 mg/kg) i.p. and saline by gastric gavage; Group 3 (MDMA + Vitamin E) received MDMA (10 mg/kg) i.p.and vitamin E (150 mg/kg) by gastric gavage; and Group 4 (olive oil) received virgin olive oil (150 mg/kg) by gastric gavage and saline i.p. MDMA was injected with single daily dose, three sequential days/week for 5 weeks (35 days). Blood samples were collected, and then the animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation. Animals’ cauda epididymis were dissected and used for analyzing and evaluating sperm parameters including sperm count, motility, viability, DNA damage, nuclear maturation, and sperm morphology. Results: Comparison of the MDMA group with the other groups indicated a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and sperm parameters including sperm count, motility, viability, nuclear maturation, and sperm morphology. A significant increase (P < 0.05) was observed in the malondialdehyde (MDA) and percentage of sperm with DNA damage of the MDMA group compared to the other groups. We observed a significant increase (P < 0.05) in TAC and sperm parameters including sperm count, motility, viability, nuclear maturation, and sperm morphology along with a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in MDA and DNA sperm damage in the MDMA + Vit E group compared to the MDMA group. While, the MDMA+Vit E group showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in sperm motility, sperm morphology, and viability along with a significant increase (P < 0.05) in DNA sperm damage and nuclear maturation compared to the control group. TAC, MDA, and sperm count study showed no significant difference when compared to the control group. Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that MDMA caused induced toxicity in sperm parameters, reduced TAC, and increased MDA level. However, Vitamin E was proven to decrease effectively the deleterious and harmful effects of MDMA on sperm parameters.