Protective action of N-acetylcysteine on the persistent effects of arsenic trioxide in genital system of Swiss male mouse

Author(s)

Raquel Frenedoso Silva

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia
• Defense date: 2014-07-02

Examining board members

Wilma De Grava Kempinas; Valéria Helena Alves Cagnon; Erick José Ramo da Silva

• Advisor: Wilma De Grava Kempinas

Abstract

Arsenic trioxide (As2O3), a trivalent arsenic form has proven highly effective and widely used in the treatment to reduce or eliminate acute promyelocytic leukemia. Studies show a relationship between exposure to this compound and inhibition of spermatogenesis and sperm development since it exerts an inhibitory effect on the testis. Given the growing use of As2O3 on treatment of leukemia and the lack of results about the side effects on male reproduction, it is justified to carry out this study, which evaluated the immediate and late effects of treatment with As2O3 on the structure and reproductive physiology of adult Swiss mice and whether the co-administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) prevents these effects. In a first experiment, adult Swiss mice were treated with vehicle, 0.3 or 3.0 mg/Kg/day of As2O3, subcutaneously in 25 applications. At the end of treatment, half of the animals were euthanized for evaluation of the post- treatment effects and the other half was maintained without the drug for 50 days until the euthanasia to evaluate the potential reversibility of the effects. It was evaluated: the vital, reproductive and accessories organ weights, analyzes of sperm quantity and quality, testosterone and arsenic measurements in blood. Animals treated with 3.0 mg/Kg of As2O3 and euthanized immediately after the end of treatment showed a decrease of seminal vesicle weight, in number of motile spermatozoa and daily sperm production. After suspension of treatment, animals treated with this same dose continued to show reduction in these same parameters. In a second experiment, the contractility of the epididymal duct was evaluated both in vivo treatment of animals (treated with vehicle or a 3.0 mg/Kg/day of As2O3) and in vitro treatment of the tissues. This analysis revealed that the maximum contraction of the epididymal duct was significantly increased in in vivo treated animals. And in a third step animals were divided into Control, As2O3 (3.0 mg/Kg/day) NAC in tap water (40 mM) and As2O3 + NAC, treated for 5 weeks. After the end of treatment, animals were assessed for previously impaired parameters described in step one. When NAC was given to the animals, there was a significant improvement in sperm parameters before harmed by the drug administration, i.e. seminal vesicle weight, number of motile sperm and daily sperm production in As2O3 + NAC group were similar to the control group. We conclude that As2O3 exerts toxic effects on the male mice genital system, and that these effects may be persistent even after the end of treatment. Also, the results showed that administration of an antioxidant can prevent the deleterious effects of this drug on the parameters evaluated (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/14342-8 - Evaluation of the arsenic trioxide effects on the genital tract of adult male mice
• Grantee: Raquel Frenedoso da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master