Background: Toxic heavy metals in water, air and soil are global problems that are a growing threat to humanity. Heavy metals are widely distributed in the environment and some of them occur in food, water, air and tissues even in the absence of occupational exposure. Aim: To investigate the antioxidant and protective influences of vitamin E and/or zinc on some heavy metals (lead, cadmium and mercury) induced oxidative stress and testicular injuries in male rats. Results: Results showed that exposure to lead, cadmium or/and mercury causes damage or alterations in the testicular functions in male albino rats. On the other hand, vitamin E or/and zinc administration lessened or cured these damages and repaired the destruction which occurred because of exposure to these toxic substances. Conclusion: heavy metals stimulated different hazardous effects leading to testicular dysfunction in male rats, and the supplementation of vitamin E or/and zinc play(s) an important role to minimize and reduce the harmful effects of heavy metal exposure. These improvements are attributed to the antioxidant functions of vitamin E and zinc. In addition, suggestions for further studies were recommended.

Background: Doxorubicin (Dox) nowadays is a widely used chemotherapy, however using it has a lot of side effects on different body organs. Unfortunately Nephrotoxcisty is one of its common side effects. Aim of Work: In this article we tried to seek for the effect of Vitamin E (Vit E) as a commonly used vitamin to reduce Dox induced nephrotoxisty. Material and Methods: 40 albino rats were involved, they were divided into 4 groups: Control group, Dox group in which Dox was given in a dose of 2.5mg/kg, 3 times/week, Vit E group in this group rats were given Vitamin E alone for 250mg/kg/day daily via intramuscular injection, Dox + Vit E rats in this group received both medications in the previously mentioned doses. At the end of the experimental period blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis of serum Urea, Creatinin and 8-Hydroxy-2´-deoxyguanosine (OHdG). Renal tissues were collected for analysis of tissue OHdG, histological examination (H & E) and immunohistochemical analysis of renal tissue caspase 3 levels. Results: Our results showed deterioration of all parameters and increased immunohistochemical expression of caspase 3 in Dox treated group. On the other hand administration of Dox with Vit E significantly improved all measured parameters and lowers the expression caspase 3 levels. Conclusion: Combined treatment of Dox with Vitamin E decreases risk of Dox induced nephrotoxcisty. Protective effects of Vitamin E can be due its antioxidant and its antiapoptotic actions.