Cis-Platin (CP) is one of the major chemotherapeutic agents commonly used in the treatment of
cancer cases; however, it has many side effects such as nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity and autotoxicity
which restricts the use. Various studies have shown the formation of free radicals and thus oxidative
stress increase due to CP administration. These findings indicate that the oxidative stress plays an
important role in CP toxicity. On the other hand, many studies have shown that antioxidative agents as
zinc may prevent CP toxicity.
Zinc (Zn) takes a place in the structure of metallothioneins which protects tissues from harmful
effects of free radicals and super oxide dismutase, an enzyme with antioxidative effect. Many studies
have been performed to show that access of Zn inhibits and its shortage stimulates apoptosis.
I n this study, it is aimed to investigate to what extent the toxic effect, caused by CP in rats’
testicles, can be repaired by Zn, which has an antioxidative feature.
Rats were grouped into four as: Group I (n=8), controls; Grup II (n=12), treated with CP (cisplatinum);
Grup III (n=8), treated with Zn (Zinc sulphate); and Grup IV (n=12), treated with CP+Zn.
In control group, isotonic saline solution was intraperitonally (ip.) administered for 30 days; in CP
group, cis-platinum (2 mg/kg/day) ip. for 5 days; in Zn group, zincsulphate for 30 days as (3 mg/kg)
ip.; and in CP+Zn group, zincsulphate (3 mg/kg/day) for 30 days and cis-platinum (2 mg/kg/day) ip.
for 5 days. After sampling tissues from rats’ testicles, routine histologic examinations were carried
out, and immunohistochemical techniques were used.
I n comparison between the groups as to Testicle Weigth Index, a significant difference was
found between rats in CP group and those in Zn and CP+Zn group. However, when the groups were
compared as to cell injuries of seminiferous tubules, differences in Leydig cells and spermatogenetic
injuries, a significant difference was observed only between the rats in CP group and other three
groups (controls, Zn and CP+Zn groups), but no difference was found between controls and CP+Zn
group. TUNEL method and immunohistochemical Bax staining is performed to show apoptosis; as a
result, a significant difference is seen between CP and other three groups.
Conclusively, CP administration, considering its duration and dose, as in this stud, is determined
to be quite toxic for testicle mucsles, to induce apoptosis and to break down histological structure.
However, Zn, as an essential mineral and featuring an antioxidative effect, is seen to prevent the
injury caused by CP, to a large extent.
Cis-Platin (CP) is one of themajorchemotherapeuticagentscommonlyused in thetreatment of cancercases; however, it has manysideeffectssuch as nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicityandautotoxicitywhichrestrictstheuse. Zinc (Zn) takes a place in thestructure of metallothioneinswhichprotectstissuesfromharmfuleffects of freeradicalsandsuperoxidedismutase, an enzymewithantioxidativeeffect. Ratsweregroupedintofour as: Group I (n=8), controls; Grup II (n=12), treatedwith CP (cis-platinum); Grup III (n=8), treatedwithZn (Zincsulphate); and Grup IV (n=12), treatedwithCP+Zn. Incontrolgroup, isotonicsalinesolutionwasintraperitonally (ip.) administeredfor 30 days; in CP group, cis-platinum (2 mg/kg/day) ip. for 5 days; in Zngroup, zincsulphatefor 30 days as (3 mg/kg) ip.;and in CP+Zngroup, zincsulphate (3 mg/kg/day) for 30 daysandcis-platinum (2 mg/kg/day) ip. for 5 days..However, whenthegroupswerecompared as tocellinjuries of seminiferoustubules, differences in Leydigcellsandspermatogeneticinjuries, a significantdifferencewasobservedonlybetweentherats in CP groupandotherthreegroups, but nodifferencewasfoundbetweencontrolsandCP+Zngroup. TUNEL methodandBaxstaining is performedtoshowapoptosis; as a result, a significantdifference is seenbetween CP andotherthreegroups.Conclusively, CP administration, consideringitsdurationanddose, as in thisstudy, is determinedto be quitetoxicfortesticlemucsles, toinduceapoptosisandto break downhistologicalstructure.Zn, as an essential mineral andfeaturing an antioxidativeeffect, is seentopreventtheinjurycausedby CP, to a largeextent
