Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has a potential effect on tissue repair through proliferation and differentiation of tissue progenitor cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of PRP on the testis structure and function in infertile rat model by stereological method. Thirty-two male rats were divided into four groups. Infertility was induced by the administration of busulfan (BUS) (10mg/kg, I.P., single dose). PRP (80μl, testis local injected, single dose) was administered for the subjects. After 48 days, semen analysis was performed and blood samples were taken from the heart to measure the testosterone. Then, the left testis was removed, fixed, embedded, sectioned, and stained by H&E; after that the testes were analyzed. The results showed that BUS can decrease the sperm count, motility, normal morphology, length of the spermatozoon tail, volume of the testis, seminiferous tubules, germinal epithelium height, and the number of spermatogenesis lineage cells in comparison with the control group (p < 0.01). PRP increased the number of spermatogenic stem cell, count, motility and tail length of the sperm and testosterone level in BUS-treated animal significantly, but it did not have any effect on the volume of the testis, germinal epithelium height, Sertoli and Leydig cells number, and seminiferous tubules length. It concluded that PRP can improve the structural and functional impairment of the testis in treatment by BUS.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a cardiotoxic drug. To reduce the harmful effects of DOX, two plant‐derived components, including curcumin (CUR) and carvacrol (CAR), were considered. This study aimed to assess the protective effects of CUR and CAR on DOX‐induced cardiotoxicity using physiological and stereological evaluations. Male rats were randomly allocated to six groups. Group's I‐VI received phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS), CUR (100 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹), CAR (50 mg kg⁻¹ day⁻¹), DOX (4 mg kg⁻¹ week⁻¹), DOX‐CUR, and DOX‐CAR, respectively. On day 24, plasma troponin I and ECG were analyzed and the left ventricle underwent stereological assessment. The results showed a fivefold increase in troponin I in the DOX‐treated animals compared to the PBS ones. Additionally, heart rate and QRS amplitude, respectively, reduced by 18% and 31% and QT interval and QRS duration, respectively, increased by 41% and 24% in the DOX group in comparison with the PBS rats (p < .05). The total volume of the myocardium and vessels and the number of cardiomyocyte nuclei also, respectively, decreased by 30%, 45%, and 43% in the DOX group compared to the PBS animals (atrophy of the ventricular tissues,p < .01). Besides, the mean volumes of the connective tissue and cardiomyocytes, respectively, increased by 46% and 52% in the DOX group (p < .01). In the DOX‐CUR and DOX‐CAR groups, the changes were prevented extensively in comparison with the DOX group (p < .01). Co‐administration of CUR or CAR and doxorubicin for 24 days could improve the heart function and structural changes.

Noorafshan A, et al. Clin Exp Reprod Med. 2013 Sep;40(3):115-121. http://dx.doi.org/10.5653/cerm.2013.40.3.115