The Effects of Ranitidine Long Term Use on Histological Structure of Mature Rat Testis

Since ranitidine inhibits the activity of testis Na+-K+ATPase, Ca++ATPase and Mg++ATPase enzymes, and affects estrogen metabolism in the liver and causes gynecomastia, the effects of long term use of ranitidine on testis were studied. In this experimental study 40 two-month aged male rats were divided into four groups (control group and 1, 2&3 test groups). Test groups were treated with 10, 70&400 mg/kg/day ranitidine orally for two months. Right testis of each rat excised and fixed in Buins fluid. After processing and sectioning, samples stained by H&E, PAS & Trichrom staining methods and then studied qualitatively and quantitatively. Quantitative values were assessed by Tukey test in P<0.05 with SPSS Ver.12. Ranitidine didn’t make histological lesions in testis and had no significant effect on diameter of seminiferous tubule (St) and epithelial thickness in optimal dose (10 mg/kg/day). High doses of ranitidine (70 & 400 mg/kg/day) led to cleft formation in St epithelium, ST epithelial cavitation, St atrophy and decreased St epithelial thickness, but didn’t change St diameter. long term consumption of Ranitidine at optimal dose didn’t cause lesions in normal testis structure and didn’t show significant effects on St diameter and thickness of St epithelium.