Epididymal Toxicity Associated with Vincristine Treatment

Abstract

Sonawane et al.: Epididymal Toxicity Associated with Vincristine Vincristine, a major player in front line combination chemotherapy of cancer reduces testosterone levels contributing to reproductive toxicity. Much is known about testicular toxicity of vincristine as compared to its effect on epididymis; hence, the present study aimed to evaluate the epididymal toxicity associated with vincristine treatment, which also contributes to the overall reproductive toxicity associated with vincristine. Vincristine was intraperitoneally injected to adult male Wistar rats of proven fertility with a dose of 40 mg/kg/day dissolved in 0.5 ml of physiological saline for 30 days. The epididymal weight was found to be unaltered after treatment whereas sperm count was reduced signifi cantly. Signifi cant changes were noted in ion concentrations of cauda and caput of epididymis with changes in protein profi le of the tissue, sperm and luminal protein from cauda and caput region, which plays a signifi cant role in sperm maturation and sperm transport. Infertility associated with vincristine could be attributed to its effects on various epididymal proteins involved in sperm protection and various stages of sperm development such as cytoplasmic extrusion and membrane stabilization, which had contributed to the abnormal sperm count and impaired function.

Chronic stress affects tyrosine phosphorylated protein expression and secretion of male rat epididymis

“…In addition, the decrease of phosphorus level was significantly decreased in tail region of CS epididymal fluid. Such results are similar to those ion concentrations decreased in both regions of epididymal fluid of rats induced with chemotherapy drug (Sonawane et al., 2019; Turner et al., 1977). It is novel that CS could change the levels of ions in epididymal fluid.…”

“…The regulations of electrolyte concentration and pH in the epididymal fluid are important for processes of sperm maturation and prevention of precocious acrosome reaction. Especially, the sodium ions were found to be the principal cations for sperm motility process (Gadella & Van Gestel, 2004; Sonawane et al., 2019). This study demonstrated the significant decreases of sodium, potassium and chloride levels in the CS epididymal fluid fractions.…”

Research Progress of Indole Alkaloids: Targeting MAP Kinase Signaling Pathways in Cancer Treatment

“…Vincristine is a significant vinca alkaloid that is extensively used in front-line combination chemotherapy therapies for cancer. Because of its ability to lower testosterone levels, vincristine contributes to reproductive damage [85]. In addition, Sonawane and colleagues discovered that therapy with vincristine promotes epididymal toxicity, which is another factor that adds to the total reproductive toxicity.…”