BACKGROUND Doxorubicin (DOX) is used for treatment of many cancer types. Thymoquinone (THQ) is a powerful antioxidant agent used for reducing side effects of several drugs. The aim of this study is to determine possible therapeutic effects of THQ on doxorubicin-induced testicular toxicity in rats. METHODS Rats were divided into five groups (n = 8): control, THQ, olive oil, DOX (a single dose of 15 mg/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.) on seventh day of the experiment), and DOX + THQ (10 mg/kg THQ per day and 15 mg/kg DOX i.p. on seventh day). Animals were euthanized, and testis tissues were evaluated histopathologically. Caspase 3 and HSP90 immunostaining were performed to determine the expression levels of these proteins among groups. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase 2'-deoxyuridine, 5'-triphosphate nick-end labeling method was used for evaluation of apoptotic index. Moreover, serum testosterone levels and total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) in testicular tissue were measured by ELISA assay. RESULTS The DOX group had histopathological deterioration compared to the control group. There was an increase in apoptotic index, caspase 3 and HSP90 expressions in the DOX group. While TAS level of the DOX group decreased, TOS level increased when compared with the other groups. Serum testosterone levels in the DOX group decreased compared to the control group. However, there was improvement in testicular tissue in DOX + THQ group compared to the DOX group. There was a decrease in apoptotic index, caspase 3, and HSP90 expressions in DOX + THQ group compared to the DOX group. Testosterone level of DOX + THQ significantly increased compared to the DOX group. CONCLUSION We suggest that THQ can be used as a protective agent to reduce the toxic effects of DOX.

中文翻译：

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百里醌是一种保护剂，可减少多柔比星对大鼠睾丸的负面影响。

背景技术多柔比星(DOX)用于治疗许多癌症类型。百里醌 (THQ) 是一种强大的抗氧化剂，用于减少几种药物的副作用。本研究的目的是确定 THQ 对多柔比星诱导的大鼠睾丸毒性的可能治疗作用。方法 将大鼠分为五组（n = 8）：对照组、THQ、橄榄油、DOX（在实验的第 7 天腹腔内（ip）单剂量 15 mg/kg）和 DOX + THQ（10 mg/ kg THQ 每天和 15 mg/kg DOX ip 在第七天）。动物被安乐死，睾丸组织进行组织病理学评估。进行 Caspase 3 和 HSP90 免疫染色以确定这些蛋白质在组间的表达水平。末端脱氧核苷酸转移酶 2'-脱氧尿苷，5' -三磷酸缺口末端标记法用于评估细胞凋亡指数。此外，通过ELISA测定测量睾丸组织中的血清睾酮水平和总抗氧化状态（TAS）和总氧化状态（TOS）。结果与对照组相比，DOX组有组织病理学恶化。DOX 组的凋亡指数、caspase 3 和 HSP90 表达增加。与其他组相比，DOX组TAS水平降低，TOS水平升高。与对照组相比，DOX 组的血清睾酮水平降低。然而，与 DOX 组相比，DOX + THQ 组的睾丸组织有所改善。与 DOX 组相比，DOX + THQ 组的凋亡指数、caspase 3 和 HSP90 表达降低。与 DOX 组相比，DOX + THQ 的睾酮水平显着增加。结论 我们建议 THQ 可以作为一种保护剂来降低 DOX 的毒性作用。