Histopathological Evaluation of the Effects of Vitamin C on Cisplatin-induced testicular damage in Wistar albino Rats

Cisplatin is a very effective chemotherapeutic agent used in treating various types of cancer, but its application may have damaging effects on testicular morphology. In this study, the effect of vitamin C, a known antioxidant, on cisplatin-induced testicular damage was investigated. Thirty Wistar rats were grouped into six groups (A-F) of five rats per group. Cisplatin was given as a single dose of 8 mg/kg body weight 24 hours prior to daily vitamin C administration at l00 mg and 200 mg respectively, for two weeks in 2 ml distilled water by gastric gavage. The results showed that cisplatin caused reduction in weight which was insignificant (P>0.05), but this reduction in weight was excercebated to significant value (p<0.05) with vitamin C treatment. The Histology of the testis showed oedema, interstitial vascular congestion and mild hyperplasia of the Leydig cells in rats treated with 8 mg/kg body weight of cisplatin only, while those that received cisplatin and various doses of vitamin C had mild interstitial oedema and vascular congestion. It is noteworthy from the findings that vitamin C on cisplatin-induced testicular damage showed no remarkable protective effects