BIOLOGY BULLETIN, cilt.50, sa.Suppl 4, 2023 (SCI-Expanded)
Gamma radiation, an ionising radiation, impairs the reproductive potential. Chloroquine is a class of antimalarial drugs currently used for the treatment of various diseases including cancer and viral infections and is a late autophagy inhibitor. It is known that apocynin has a vital role in reducing oxidative stress. We aim to evaluate the damage caused by radiation and chloroquine on testicular tissue and determine the effects of apocynin administration on male reproductive capacity as a protective factor to reduce or prevent damage histopathologically and biochemically. Male rats (n - 56) were divided into 8 groups. Control, chloroquine, apocynin, radiation, chloroquine + apocynin, chloroquine + radiation, apocynin + radiation, chloroquine + apocynin + radiation. The rats were sacrificed, testicular tissues and blood samples were collected for histological and biochemical examinations. In the radiation and chloroquine groups, enlargement of the intercellular spaces, and morphological damage parameters were observed in the testis tissues. Histological findings were reversed in the apocynin treated groups. Biochemical parameters revealed that damage occurred in the groups given chloroquine and radiation. The damages were reversed or attenuated by the administration of apocynin to the groups. It was concluded that apocynin plays a protective/therapeutic role by reducing histological and biochemical damage, as well as regulates oxidant/antioxidant balance in testicular tissue.