Title:Radioprotective Effect of Febuxostat Against Testicular Damage Induced
by Ionizing Radiation in Mice
Volume: 15
Issue: 2
Author(s): Fereshteh Talebpour Amiri, Marziyeh Raeispour, Soghra Farzipour and Seyed Jalal Hosseinimehr*
Affiliation:
- Department of Radiopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mazandaran University of Medical
Sciences, Sari, Iran
Keywords:
Febuxostat, ionizing radiation, testicular toxicity, oxidative stress, radioprotective, xanthine oxidase, radiotherapy.
Abstract:
Background: The testis is one of the most radiosensitive tissues in pelvic radiotherapy,
especially in prostate cancer. Febuxostat (FBX), as an inhibitor of xanthine oxidase, has anti-inflammatory,
antioxidant, and anti-apoptosis properties.
Objectives: The aim of this research was to survey the protective effect of FBX against irradiation
(IR)-induced testis damage via the attenuation of oxidative stress.
Methods: Male adult mice were randomly assigned into eight groups: control, FBX with three doses
of 5, 10, and 15 mg/kg, IR with 6 Gy, IR + FBX (IR + FBX in three doses), respectively. In the
IR + FBX groups, FBX was administrated for 8 consecutive days, and then mice were exposed to
IR at a dose of 6 Gy on the 9th day. One day after irradiation, biochemical parameters were evaluated
in the testis of animals, while histopathological assessment had been performed on 14th day.
Results: Irradiation led to the induction of testicular toxicity. FBX significantly protected histopathological
alterations and decreased oxidative stress parameters in irradiated testis. Besides, FBX
increased the diameter and germinal epithelial thickness of seminiferous tubules and Johnson’s
score in irradiated mice.
Conclusion: Data showed that FBX markedly protected testicular injury induced by IR by inhibiting
oxidative stress and may be considered as an infertility inhibitor in cancer patients, especially
prostate cancer.
