Protective Effects of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester Against Carbon Tetrachloride-induced Testicular Damage in Rats: A Histological Study

Abstract

Aim:Carbon tetrachloride (CCI4) is a volatile organic chemical agent that can cause damage to many tissues. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), which is structurally similar to flavonoids, is an active component of honeybee propolis. CAPE is known for its antitoxic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of CAPE against testicular damage caused by CCI4.Materials and Methods:Twenty-eight Wistar albino rats were divided into 4 groups (n=7) as, Group 1: control (5% ethanol, 1 mL/day/ip), Group 2: olive oil (0.5 mL/day over/ip), Group 3: CCI4 (0.5 mL/kg over/ip), Group 4: CCI4+CAPE (10 μmol/kg/day/ip). Tissue samples collected at the end of the experiment were detected in 10% formaldehyde and embedded in paraffin. Five-micron-thick sections taken from paraffin blocks were stained with hematoxylin-eosin. To evaluate testicular damage, 100 tubules from each section were randomly examined at 20x magnification under a light microscope and classified as intact, atrophic, and degenerated tubules. Sections were examined by using Leica DFC 280 light microscope and Leica Q Win Image Analysis system (Leica Micros Imaging Solutions Ltd. Cambridge, UK).Results:The testicular sections of the control group and the olive oil group had a normal histological appearance. In the CCI4 group, 55.00±4.22% of the seminiferous tubules were intact, 25.00±2.67% were atrophic and 20.00±1.88% were degenerative. In addition, multinucleated giant cells were found in the lumen of some seminiferous tubules. In the CCI4+CAPE group, 72.14±3.91% of the tubules were intact, 16.42±2.10% were atrophic, and 11.42±2.36% were degenerative. While the number of affected tubules significantly increased in the CCI4 group compared to the control group (p<0.05), the number of affected seminiferous tubules decreased significantly in the CCI4+CAPE group compared to the CCI 4 group (p<0.05).Conclusion:We think that CAPE may be useful in reducing the damaging effects of CCI4 on the testicle.

Keywords

• cape
• carbon tetrachloride
• rat
• testis