Short-term levosimendan treatment protects rat testes against oxidative stress

Braz J Med Biol Res. 2012 Aug;45(8):716-20. doi: 10.1590/s0100-879x2012007500075. Epub 2012 May 17.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of short-term levosimendan exposure on oxidant/antioxidant status and trace element levels in the testes of rats under physiological conditions. Twenty male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into two groups of 10 animals each. Group 1 was not exposed to levosimendan and served as control. Levosimendan (12 µg/kg) diluted in 10 mL 0.9% NaCl was administered intraperitoneally to group 2. Animals of both groups were sacrificed after 3 days and their testes were harvested for the determination of changes in tissue oxidant/antioxidant status and trace element levels. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly lower in the levosimendan group (P < 0.001) than in the untreated control group and superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels were significantly higher in the levosimendan group (P < 0.001). Carbonic anhydrase, catalase and GSH levels were not significantly different from controls. Mg and Zn levels of testes were significantly higher (P < 0.001) and Co, Pb, Cd, Mn, and Cu were significantly lower (P < 0.001) in group 2 compared to group 1. Fe levels were similar for the two groups (P = 0.94). These results suggest that 3-day exposure to levosimendan induced a significant decrease in tissue MDA level, which is a lipid peroxidation product and an indicator of oxidative stress, and a significant increase in the activity of an important number of the enzymes that protect against oxidative stress in rat testes.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Glutathione Peroxidase / metabolism
  • Hydrazones / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Malondialdehyde / metabolism*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Pyridazines / pharmacology*
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism*
  • Simendan
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Trace Elements / analysis*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Hydrazones
  • Pyridazines
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Trace Elements
  • Simendan
  • Malondialdehyde
  • Glutathione Peroxidase
  • Superoxide Dismutase