Ameliorative effects of curcumin on the structural parameters of seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells in metronidazole-treated mice: a stereological approach.

Metronidazole (MTZ), an anti-parasitic drug, induces negative effects on the testis. Curcumin exhibits antioxidant properties and anti-tumor properties. The aim was to evaluate negative effects of seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells by MTZ and ameliorative effects of curcumin. Balb/c mice were divided into six groups. The control, second, third, fourth and fifth, and sixth groups were administrated distilled water, high doses of MTZ (500 mg/kg/day), MTZ (500 mg/kg/day) +100 mg/kg/day curcumin, therapeutic doses of MTZ (165 mg/kg/day), MTZ (165 mg/kg/day) +100 mg/kg/day curcumin, and 100 mg/kg/day curcumin, respectively. The data revealed significant reduction in tubule volume, length and diameter and germinal epithelium height, and increase the number of Leydig cells in MTZ-treated (high or therapeutic doses) animals. Combined treatment of curcumin with high or therapeutic doses of MTZ ameliorated the increase in number of Leydig cell. Ameliorative effects of curcumin on the other above-mentioned parameters were observed in mice receiving therapeutic doses of MTZ. Leydig cell or nucleus volume and interstitial tissue volume did not show any significant difference in the MTZ-treated mice. It can be concluded that metronidazole can changes structural parameters of the tubules and number of Leydig cells and curcumin can ameliorate these effects.