Protective Effect of Lycopene on Ifosfamide-Induced Mitophagy through Pink, Parkin, and LC3-I/II Pathway in Testicular Tissue.
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Ifosfamide (IFO) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent that exerts cytotoxic effects through various mechanisms, including the induction of apoptosis and oxidative stress. However, its use is associated with detrimental effects on male reproductive health, including mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress-induced damage. Mitophagy, a selective autophagic process, plays a crucial role in maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis during spermatogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effect of lycopene against IFO-induced mitophagy in testicular tissue. We evaluated the expression levels of key mitophagy regulators Pink1, Parkin, and LC3-I/ II in testicular tissue of rats treated with IFO alone or in combination with lycopene. MATERIALS AND METHODS: were evaluated using qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques. RESULTS: in the presence of lycopene following IFO treatment. CONCLUSION: These results underscore lycopene's role as a potent protective agent that can mitigate IFO-induced mitophagy in testicular tissue. Further research into the underlying mechanisms of lycopene's protective effects will be crucial for developing therapeutic strategies to preserve male fertility during IFO treatment.
Source: PubMed
Authors: Ali Thoulfikar A Imeer, Moona Roshanfekr Rad, Sara Abedi
Institutions: University of Al-Ameed, University of Tehran
Language: English
Subfield: Reproductive Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funder: Rudi Schulte Research Institute
OpenAlex ID: W4411977672