Protective effects of chlorogenic acid against ionizing radiation-induced testicular toxicity

BACKGROUND: Testicular tissues could damage by ionizing radiation (IR) during the treatment of pelvic cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate both the protective and therapeutic effects of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on IR-induced mouse testis tissue damage. METHODS: In this experimental study, 70 mice were divided into 3 groups, including group 1 (normal saline), group 2 (IR + normal saline), and group 3 (IR + 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg) CGA via I.P injection. Animals in groups 2 and 3 received a dose of 2.0 Gy total-body irradiation in a single fraction. At two determined time points (16 h and 35 days after exposure), the testis and caudal part of both epididymis were isolated and underwent subsequent analyses. RESULTS: The results showed that irradiation of mice caused massive damage to spermatogenesis, seminiferous tubules, basal lamina, Leydig cells, and sperm parameters. Further biochemical assessment of the data demonstrated that 40 mg/kg CGA almost restored MDA to a normal level. In addition, the level of SOD, TAC, and GSH were significantly increased in the 40 mg/kg CGA treated group. Molecular evidence confirmed the protective effects of CGA and also revealed that the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in the presence of 40 mg/kg CGA was significantly decreased compared to IR and some treated groups. CONCLUSION: The protective and therapeutic effects of CGA on testis were found to be positively correlated with the dose level.