Protective effects of exogenous melatonin therapy against oxidative stress to male reproductive tissue caused by anti-cancer chemical and radiation therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to systematically review melatonin's protective effects on rodent testicular tissue exposed to anti-cancer stressors, including radioactive iodine.
Results Summary
Melatonin therapy significantly improved testicular histopathology, reproductive hormones, oxidative stress markers, and weight-related characteristics in rodents exposed to anti-cancer treatments, including radioactive iodine.
Population
Male rodents (rats and mice) exposed to radiotherapy (including radioactive iodine) or chemotherapy.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
melatonin therapy | increase | sperm quantity and quality | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #1 |
melatonin therapy | increase | sperm count | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #2 |
melatonin therapy | increase | sperm motility | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #3 |
melatonin therapy | increase | sperm viability | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #4 |
melatonin therapy | increase | sperm normal morphology | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #5 |
melatonin therapy | increase | number of spermatogonia | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #6 |
melatonin therapy | increase | Johnsen's testicular biopsy score | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #7 |
melatonin therapy | increase | seminiferous tubular diameter | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #8 |
melatonin therapy | increase | seminiferous epithelial height | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #9 |
melatonin therapy | increase | serum level of reproductive hormones | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #10 |
melatonin therapy | increase | Follicle-Stimulating Hormone | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #11 |
melatonin therapy | increase | testosterone | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #12 |
melatonin therapy | decrease | tissue markers of oxidative stress | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #13 |
melatonin therapy | decrease | testicular tissue malondialdehyde | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #14 |
melatonin therapy | increase | superoxide dismutase | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #15 |
melatonin therapy | increase | glutathione peroxidase | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #16 |
melatonin therapy | increase | catalase | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #17 |
melatonin therapy | increase | glutathione | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #18 |
melatonin therapy | decrease | caspase-3 | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #19 |
melatonin therapy | increase | total antioxidant capacity | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #20 |
melatonin therapy | increase | weight-related characteristics | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #21 |
melatonin therapy | increase | absolute body weight | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #22 |
melatonin therapy | increase | epididymis weight | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #23 |
melatonin therapy | increase | testis weight | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #24 |
melatonin therapy | increase | relative testis to body weight | male rodents | - | significantly improved | #25 |
melatonin therapy | increase | testicular histopathology | male rodents | - | related to improved | #26 |
melatonin therapy | increase | reproductive hormones | male rodents | - | related to improved | #27 |
melatonin therapy | increase | testis and body weights | male rodents | - | related to improved | #28 |
melatonin therapy | decrease | oxidative markers in testicular tissues | male rodents | - | related to reduced levels | #29 |
BACKGROUND: Male testicular dysfunction is a considerable complication of anti-cancer therapies, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy, partly due to the increased oxidative stress caused by these treatments. Melatonin is an effective antioxidant agent that protects testicles against physical and toxic chemical stressors in animal models. This study aims to systematically review the melatonin's protective effects against anti-cancer stressors on rodential testicular tissue. MATERIALS AND METHOD: An extensive search was conducted in Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed for animal studies investigating exogenous melatonin's protective effects on rodent testicles exposed to anti-cancer chemicals and radiotherapeutic agents. Using the DerSimonian and Laird random-effect model, standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were estimated from the pooled data. The protocol was prospectively registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD42022355293). RESULTS: The meta-analysis included 38 studies from 43 studies that were eligible for the review. Rats and mice were exposed to radiotherapy (ionizing radiations such as gamma- and roentgen radiation and radioactive iodine) or chemotherapy (methotrexate, paclitaxel, busulfan, cisplatin, doxorubicin, vinblastine, bleomycin, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, Taxol, procarbazine, docetaxel, and chlorambucil). According to our meta-analysis, all outcomes were significantly improved by melatonin therapy, including sperm quantity and quality (count, motility, viability, normal morphology, number of spermatogonia, Johnsen's testicular biopsy score, seminiferous tubular diameter, and seminiferous epithelial height), serum level of reproductive hormones (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone and testosterone), tissue markers of oxidative stress (testicular tissue malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, glutathione, caspase-3, and total antioxidant capacity), and weight-related characteristics (absolute body, epididymis, testis, and relative testis to body weights). Most SYRCLE domains exhibited a high risk of bias in the included studies. Also, significant heterogeneity and small-study effects were detected. CONCLUSION: In male rodents, melatonin therapy was related to improved testicular histopathology, reproductive hormones, testis and body weights, and reduced levels of oxidative markers in testicular tissues of male rodents. Future meticulous studies are recommended to provide a robust scientific backbone for human applications. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42022355293, identifier CRD42022355293.