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Effect of Sofosbuvir on rats' ovaries and the possible protective role of vitamin E: biochemical and immunohistochemical study

  • Neven A. Ebrahim (Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University) ;
  • Hussein Abdelaziz Abdalla (Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University) ;
  • Neimat Abd Elhakam Yassin (Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University) ;
  • Aya Elsayed Maghrabia (Veterinary in Medical Experimental Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University) ;
  • Amira Ibrahim Morsy (Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University)
  • Received : 2023.03.21
  • Accepted : 2023.06.22
  • Published : 2023.12.31

Abstract

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major health problem worldwide and its eradication is mandatory. Direct acting HCV polymerase inhibitors, such as Sofosbuvir (SOF), is an effective regimen. However, it has some side effects like mutagenesis, carcinogenesis, and the impairment of testicular function. It is important to evaluate the safety of SOF on the ovary, as there are no studies yet. Increasing the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), causes oxidative stress, which affects ovulation process, female reproduction, and fertility. Accumulation of SOF in the cells was demonstrated to promote ROS generation. Vitamin E (Vit E) is an antioxidant agent that has an essential role in the female reproductive system, its deficiency can cause infertility. We explored the effect of SOF treatment alone and co-treated with Vit E on ovarian ROS level and ovarian morphology experimentally using biochemical and immunohistochemical studies. Significant changes in oxidative stress markers; nitric oxide and malondialdehyde lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes; catalase, super oxide dismutase, and reduced glutathione, proliferating markers; proliferation cell nuclear antigen and Ki-67 antigen and caspase 3 apoptotic marker were demonstrated. It was shown that where SOF induced oxidative stress, it also aggravated ovarian dysfunction. The essential role of Vit E as an antioxidant agent in protecting the ovarian tissue from the effect of oxidative stress markers and preserving its function was also displayed. This could be guidance to add Vit E supplements to SOF regimens to limit its injurious effect on ovarian function.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

The authors are thankful to the Medical Experimental Research Center (MERC) Staff, Mansoura University, for their advice and support. They also extend gratitude to Jana Hassanein for her help with language editing.

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