Protective Effects of Blackberry Juice against Cisplatin-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Rats: Up-Regulation of Bcl-2 Proteins and Androgen Receptors

Background: Testicular toxicity is one of the serious side effects of cisplatin, which is used in chemotherapy.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of blackberry juice on cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity
in rats.
Materials and Methods: A total of 32 male Wistar Albino rats were used in this study. The rats were divided into four groups
including 8 rats in each. The first group (control group) received only water orally; the second group (BBJ group) was given
BBJ 1.6 g/kg p.o.; the third group (CP group) received single dose CP 10 mg/kg i.p.; and the fourth group (CP + BBJ group)
received single dose CP 10 mg/kg i.p. and BBJ 1.6 g/kg orally. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase
(CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), levels in the testicular tissue and serum testosterone were biochemically evaluated.
Testicular tissues histopathologically and immunohistochemically evaluated.
Results: CP caused an elevation in lipid peroxidation level (MDA) paralleled with significant decline in GSH content, SOD
and CAT activities in testes as well as decrease of serum testosterone levels compared to control group. Some histopathological
changes were detected in all testicular tissues of CP treated group in the form of degeneration and disorganization of germinal
cells, irregular seminiferous tubules with decreased number of spermatogenic cells of seminiferous tubules. Co-administration of
BBJ with CP ameliorates all the biochemical deteriorations with preserve the normal histological architecture of testes.
Conclusions: BBJ decreased CP induced testicular tissue damage as a potent free radical scavenger thanks to its antioxidant
and anti-inflammatory properties. However, further experimental and/or clinical studies are required to confirm our results