Studying the Protective Effect of N-acetyl cysteine and Lcarnitine on Testicular Toxicity Induced by Valproic Acid Administration in Adult Male Albino Rats

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Forensic medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Sohag Faculty of medicine, Sohag University, Egypt.

2 Pathology Department, Sohag Faculty of medicine, Sohag University, Egypt

Abstract

Introduction: Sodium valproate (VPA) is a well-known antiepileptic drug used in treatment of 
generalized seizures and cause many toxic effects. Aim: This study aimed to highlight the VPA 
effects on testes in adult male albino rats and protective effect of N- acetyl cysteine (NAC) and 
L-carnitine. Methodology: Sixty adult male albino rats divided into six groups randomly, 10 rats 
each, group I: negative control group not received any treatment. group II: positive control 
group received NAC 150 mg/kg/day orally, group III: positive control group received Lcarnitine 500 mg/kg/day orally, group IV: received VPA 400 mg/kg/day orally which equals 
40/67 of Ld50 of valproic acid in rats, group V: received VPA 400 mg/kg and NAC 150 mg/kg 
daily orally, group VI: received VPA 400 mg/kg and L-carnitine 500 mg/kg daily orally for 45 
days. Results: This study revealed high significant difference between group received VPA (IV) 
in form of marked decrease in serum testosterone compared to control groups (I, II, III), 
laboratory parameters are co-incident with histopathological findings in testes of these groups. 
We found a significant improvement in laboratory parameters in the form of higher serum 
testosterone levels in groups received antioxidants with VPA (V, VI), co-incident with 
histopathological findings in testes of these groups, with a higher protective power of Lcarnitine than N- acetyl cysteine. Conclusion: Sodium valproate induces testicular toxicity in 
high doses (400 mg/kg) in male albino rats. There is a protective role for both NAC and Lcarnitine. L-carnitine exhibited more protective effect than NAC on their administration with 
VPA.
Received in original form: 30 March 2023 Accepted in a final form: 24 May 2023