Melatonin administration in testicular damage caused by low and high-dose rate radiotherapy: An experimental study

• Published in: Radiation physics and chemistry (Oxford, England : 1993) Vol. 220; p. 111692
• Main Authors: Erdem, Esra, Sapmaz, Tansel, Aras, Serhat, Şevgin, Kubra, Başol Baki, Kübra, Topkaraoğlu, Sude, Güler, Eray Metin, Baydili, Kürsat Nuri, Tekayev, Muhammetnur, Özkan, Beyza Nur, Dumlu, Fatma Sena, Irkorucu, Oktay
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2024
• Subjects: Lectin; Melatonin; Radiotherapy; Testis; TUNEL; ZO1; Testis; Lectin; Melatonin; TUNEL; Radiotherapy; ZO1
• ISSN: 0969-806X; 1879-0895
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2024.111692

This study aimed to explore the radioprotective effect of melatonin against acute testicular injury caused by low- and high-dose-rate radiotherapy in rats. A total of 40 12-week-old adult male rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 8). Group 1 comprised control rats who were not subjected to any procedures. A single dose of 8 Gy (Gy) radiotherapy was administered to the abdominopelvic regions of Group 2 (low-dose rate radiotherapy (LDRR) group) and Group 4 (high-dose rate radiotherapy (HDRR) group) rats at dose rates of 400 MU/min and 1400 MU/min, respectively. A single dose of 8 Gy radiotherapy was administered to Group 3 (low-dose rate radiotherapy + melatonin (LDRR + MEL) group) and Group 5 (high-dose rate radiotherapy + melatonin (HDRR + MEL) group) rats at dose rates of 400 MU/min and 1400 MU/min, respectively. Following this, 50 mg/kg/intraperitoneal melatonin was given to the rats 15 min before radiotherapy. The subjects were sacrificed 48 h after radiotherapy. Histological, immunohistochemical, immunofluorescence, and biochemical analyses of testicular tissue samples were performed. As a result of comparing the FF and FFF radiotherapy groups with the control group, a statistically significant difference was observed in histopathological, biochemical, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent parameters (p < 0.001). An improvement in these parameters was observed in the groups where melatonin was applied along with radiotherapy (p < 0.001). Additionally, no statistically significant difference was found between FF and FFF dose rates (p > 0.05). No significant difference was observed between these low- and high-dose rates of radiotherapy in terms of testicular damage and the effect of melatonin. Further, melatonin may be useful in preventing testicular damage caused by low- and high-dose rate radiotherapy. •No difference was found between the damages caused by FF and FFF dose rates in rat testicular tissue.•Melatonin administration increased ZO-1 and LECTIN expression in testicular tissue damaged by radiotherapy.•Melatonin administration decreases the OSI value increased by radiotherapy in rat testis.•Melatonin administration decreased the apoptotic index increased by radiotherapy in rat testis.•Melatonin may be a safe antioxidant that can be applied to prevent radiotherapy-induced testicular injury.