%0 Journal Article
%T Ultrasonographic and histopathological investigation of the effect of N-acetylcysteine on doxorubicin-induced ovarian and uterine toxicity in rats.
%A Üstüner E
%A Yıldırım E
%A Macun HC
%A Ekici H
%A Şahin Y
%A Güncüm E
%A Anteplioğlu T
%A Elifoğlu TB
%A Bozkaya E
%J J Ovarian Res
%V 17
%N 1
%D 2024 Jun 28
%M 38943148
%F 5.506
%R 10.1186/s13048-024-01459-4
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>This study aimed to investigate the mitigating effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on doxorubicin (DOX)-induced ovarian and uterine toxicity in rats using laboratory tests, ultrasonographic (US) imaging, and histopathology analysis.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Forty-eight rats were divided into six groups (n = 8) as follows: Group A (control) (0.5 mL saline administered intraperitoneally [IP]), Group B (a single 10 mg/kg dose of DOX administered IP on day 1), Group C (a single 10 mg/kg dose of DOX administered IP 24 h before sacrifice), Group D (100 mg/kg of NAC administered IP for 21 days), Group E ( a single 10 mg/kg dose of DOX administered IP on day 1 and 100 mg/kg of NAC administered IP for 21 days), and Group F (100 mg/kg of NAC administered IP for 21 days and a single 10 mg/kg dose of DOX administered IP 24 h before sacrifice). The ovaries were examined using B-mode US on days 1, 14, and 21, and the histopathological examinations of the ovaries and the uterus were undertaken after sacrifice on day 22.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Histomorphological analyses showed that ovarian weight decreased after DOX administration in Group B but not in Group E. US revealed a transient increase in ovarian size in Group B and E, reverting to baseline levels over time, as well as a progressive increase in peritoneal fluid in Groups B and E. Group B exhibited a significant decrease in the thickness of the endometrium and myometrium and uterine cornual length, which was not observed in Group E. Histopathological examination showed that DOX caused a decline in follicular count, especially in primordial, secondary, and Graafian follicles, and resulted in follicular atresia, predominantly in Group B. Destructive degeneration/necrosis and vascular changes were most prominently seen in the corpus luteum of Groups C and B. In NAC-treated rats (Groups E and F), although germ cell damage was present, atretic follicles and vascular changes, such as hyperemia and congestion, were reduced. The anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) level was the highest in Group F.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>NAC, an antioxidant, attenuated DOX-induced gonadotoxicity in rats.