Role of oxidative stress in reproductive toxicity induced by Co-administration of chloramphenicol and multivitamin-haematinics complex in rats

Abstract

Concurrent administration of chloramphenicol (CAP) with multivitamin-haematinics complex (MHC) is a common practice to cushioning anticipated anaemic effect of CAP in most developing countries. This study investigated the mechanism involved in CAP-induced reproductive toxicity as well as the effects of its co-administration with MHC in male rats. CAP and MHC were administered orally at therapeutic doses of 28 mgkg body-weight and 0.08 mlkg body-weight, respectively, every 6 hr for 10 days. After exposure, while there was body-weight loss in CAP, MHC and CAP plus MHC-treated animals, there were no treatment-related changes in the absolute and relative weights of the testes in all treated groups. Alone, MHC treatment markedly decreased catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and 5′ nucleotidase (5′ NTD) activities whereas it resulted in significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Activities of SOD, CAT and GST as well as H2O 2 levels were not significantly affected in CAP and CAP plus MHC-treated rats whereas GSH level and 5′ NTD activity were markedly decreased in CAP plus MHC-treated rats. Significant increase in testicular alkaline phosphatase activity, lipid peroxidation and sperm abnormalities were accompanied by reduction in epididymal sperm number, sperm motility and live-dead ratio in all treatment groups whereas aminotransferase activities were unaffected. Treatment-related degeneration of the testes was evident in all treated animals. In summary, while MHC-induced testicular toxicity via oxidative stress, CAP did not and their combination is implicated in reproductive dysfunction within the time course of our investigation. © 2010 Nordic Pharmacological Society.