Histological study on the role of ginger against cisplatininducedtesticular toxicity in albino rats

Aim of the workChemotherapy with cisplatin has adverse effects on spermatogenesis. Therefore, thiswork aimed at investigating the protective role of ginger against cisplatin-inducedtesticular toxicity in male albino rats.Materials and methodsTwenty-four adult albino rats were used in this study. They were divided into threegroups. The first group served as the control group; the second group was injectedwith cisplatin (12 mg/kg once); and the third group was injected with cisplatin(12 mg/kg once) and then given ginger (310 mg/kg orally) for 26 days. Testicularspecimens were processed for light microscopic examination using H E. Otherspecimens were processed for electron microscopic examination.ResultsCisplatin had damaging effects on the seminiferous tubules. Some areas of thetubules showed complete depletion of germ cells. Other areas showed somespermatogonia or primary spermatocytes. Sertoli cells showed a variable degreeof degenerative changes in the form of destruction of cellular processes and celljunction. Interruption of the nuclear envelope of spermatids and loss of intercellularbridges were noticed. Treating with ginger resulted in normal Sertoli cells and celljunctions. The germ cells lining the tubules were more or less normal except for someintercellular vacuolations.ConclusionsThe use of ginger has some protective effects on the testicular structure; hence,a larger number of experiments with higher doses of ginger or longer administrationperiod could be beneficial for patients taking chemotherapeutic drugs.