The Effect of Selenium Nanoparticles versus Royal Jelly against Cisplatin-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Adult Male Albino Rats: A Light and Transmission Electron Microscopic Study

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Cisplatin (Cis) is a highly effective chemotherapeutic agent. However, it produces severe testicular toxicity. It was reported that some antioxidants could overcome this toxicity. Selenium nanoparticles and royal jelly (RJ) were among these reported antioxidants. Therefore, this study was designed to compare these two antioxidants in protecting the testes against Cis-induced toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted on sixty healthy adult male albino rats (weight: 200–220 g) randomized into six groups, ten animals each. Group I (control), Group II (animals received intragastric Nano Selenium), Group III (animals received intragastric RJ), Group IV (animals received an IP injection of Cis 7 mg/kg), Group V (animals received intragastric Nano Selenium, and Cis injection), and Group VI (animals received intragastric RJ and Cis injection). After 10 days, the animals were sacrificed by cervical decapitation. The testes were weighted, and specimens from the left testis were processed for histological and immunohistochemical techniques, whereas specimens from the right testes were prepared for transmission electron microscopic examination. RESULTS: Cis-treated animals had significantly reduced weight of their testes. Light microscopic examination revealed severe histopathological changes in the germinal epithelium and Leydig cells, confirmed with electron microscopic examination. There was a significant increase in the color area percentage of Caspase-3 immunostaining of the germinal epithelium and Leydig cells, compared to that of the control group. Group II and III were similar to control group. Both Groups V and VI revealed significant preservation compared to the Cis group. CONCLUSION: Selenium nanoparticles and RJ partially improved testis from Cis-induced toxicity, However, there was no significant difference between both groups.