Histopathological study on the protective effect of L-carnitine on testicular tissue in cimetidine-treated mice

Cimetidine (Tagamet) is an extensively prescribed for ulcers and is a known testicular toxicant. Recently L-carnitine therapy can be effective in the treatment of men infertility and improvement in the sperm parameter. The purpose of this study is to investigate the gonadotoxic of Cimetidine and L-carnitine protective effects on male mice.
20 White mice of NMRI race were randomly divided into four Groups (each group included 5 animals) Control group received Normal Saline, experimental group 1, received 100 mg/kg Cimetidine, experimental group 2, received 100 mg/kg L- Carnitine, experimental group 3, received 100 mg/kg L- Carnitine and 100 mg/kg Cimetidine Simultaneously. All animals animal were treated by intra peritoneal injection Peritoneum for 15 days. After treatment, the animals were weighed. All the testes were removed and weighted.The Removed testis and the Organ weighed. The left testes were fixed in formalin 10% Solution for Histological examination. Finally, prepared sections were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin Then results were Analyzed using SPSS-21 software and T- Test.
In the study testis weight, spermatogenic cells count and diameter of epithelium in the Cimetidine group Compared to the control group and showed a significant decrease (P ≤0.05). In concurrent use L-carnitine whit cimetidine, testicular weight, spermatozoa and spermatid showed a significant increase in cimetidine group (P≤0.05). The Simultaneous use of L-carnitine with Cimetidine, Testis Weight, Cells count of Spermatid and spermatozoa, Compared to the Ciprofloxacin group showed a significant increase (P ≤0.05).
It is concluded that intra peritoneal administration of L-carnitine can cause an improvement in spermatogenesis in Cimetidine treated adult mice.