Effects of butane-2,3-dione thiosemicarbazone oxime on testicular damage induced by cadmium in mice.

Our group of studies investigated the action of butane-2,3-dione thiosemicarbazone oxime against the testicular damage caused by cadmium chloride (CdCl2) in mice. Mice received a single injection of CdCl2 (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) and, after thirty minutes, the oxime (10 mg/kg, subcutaneously) was administered. Twenty four hours after the last administration, the animals were killed by cervical dislocation and the testes and serum were removed for analysis. The parameters determined were delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (delta-ALA-D), myeloperoxidase (MPO), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities. The levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), nonprotein thiols (NPSH), ascorbic acid, cadmium and testosterone were also determined. In addition, histological analysis and cytokines quantification (IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma) were performed. Our results demonstrated that the oxime was effective in restoring the inhibition in delta-ALA-D activity induced by CdCl2. The activation of M PO and increase in IL-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma levels induced by CdCl2 were also reduced by oxime. IL-10, which was reduced by cadmium, was restored by oxime administration. In addition, the oxime was effective in restoring the increase in TBARS levels and the reduction on NPSH levels induced by CdCl2. Our results demonstrated that oxime was effective in containing the histological alterations induced by CdCl2. In addition, oxime was able to increase the testosterone levels, reduced by cadmium exposure. In conclusion, the oxime tested was effective in reducing the testicular damage induced by CdCl2 in mice. The beneficial effects of this oxime are related to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action.