Research Article
BibTex RIS Cite

Verapamil versus tamoxifen in treatment of experimentally induced infertility

Year 2024, Volume: 28 Issue: 5, 1485 - 1491, 28.06.2025

Abstract

Clinical and epidemiological studies indicated that there is an increased incidence of male infertility, with many cases that do not respond well to treatments. This study is aimed at evaluating the therapeutic effects of verapamil and tamoxifen against infertility, which may provide an essential strategy for the treatment of this disorder. A case-control study was conducted on 64 male albino rats, divided into four groups (16 for each); group A (control group); group B (infertile group that is induced by the ornidazole); and groups C and D, which are pretreated with verapamil and tamoxifen, respectively, in combination with ornidazole every day for four weeks. Serum levels of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were assessed, and sperm parameters, including sperm count, sperm motility percentage, sperm morphology percentage, and sperm viability, were investigated. Furthermore, Motic Image Plus 2.0 ML was used to measure the mean diameter of the seminiferous tubules (SNT), and a morphometric analysis of 20 tubules per rat was also performed. The results revealed that both verapamil and tamoxifen provide a significant improvement in sperm count, motility, morphology, and dead sperm, with a significant improvement in testosterone, FSH, LH, GSH, NO, MDA, and SOD levels compared with the infertile group. Histophotometric results showed that verapamil and tamoxifen improved the number and size of SNT, Leydig cells, and Sertoli cell counts, which may indicate the promise of using these agents in the treatment of male infertility.

References

  • [1] Jungwirth A, Giwercman A, Tournaye H, Diemer T, Kopa Z, Dohle G, Krausz C; European Association of Urology Working Group on Male Infertility. European Association of Urology guidelines on Male Infertility: the 2012 update. Eur Urol. 2012;62(2):324-332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2012.04.048
  • [2] Tremellen K. Oxidative stress and male infertility--a clinical perspective. Hum Reprod Update. 2008 14(3):243-258. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmn004
  • [3] Agarwal A, Roychoudhury S, Sharma R, Gupta S, Majzoub A, Sabanegh E. Diagnostic application of oxidation-reduction potential assay for measurement of oxidative stress: clinical utility in male factor infertility. Reprod Biomed Online. 2017;34(1):48-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2016.10.008
  • [4] Fainberg J, Kashanian JA. Recent advances in understanding and managing male infertility. F1000Res. 2019;8:F1000 Faculty Rev-670. https://doi.org/10.12688%2Ff1000research.17076.1
  • [5] Elbashir S, Magdi Y, Rashed A, Henkel R, Agarwal A. Epididymal contribution to male infertility: An overlooked problem. Andrologia. 2021;53(1):e13721. https://doi.org/10.1111/and.13721
  • [6] Dutta S, Sengupta P, Slama P, Roychoudhury S. Oxidative stress, testicular ınflammatory pathways, and male reproduction. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(18):10043. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms221810043
  • [7] Abarikwu SO. Causes and risk factors for male-factor infertility in Nigeria: a review. Afr J Reprod Health. 2013;17(4):150-166.
  • [8] Okonofua FE, Ntoimo LFC, Omonkhua A, Ayodeji O, Olafusi C, Unuabonah E, Ohenhen V. Causes and risk factors for male ınfertility: A scoping review of published studies. Int J Gen Med. 2022;15:5985-5997. https://doi.org/10.2147%2FIJGM.S363959
  • [9] La Vignera S, Condorelli RA, Vicari E, D'Agata R, Salemi M, Calogero AE. High levels of lipid peroxidation in semen of diabetic patients. Andrologia. 2012;44 Suppl 1:565-570. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0272.2011.01228.x
  • [10] Mallidis C, Agbaje I, O'Neill J, McClure N. The influence of type 1 diabetes mellitus on spermatogenic gene expression. Fertil Steril. 2009;92(6):2085-2087. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2009.06.006
  • [11] Agbaje IM, Rogers DA, McVicar CM, McClure N, Atkinson AB, Mallidis C, Lewis SE. Insulin dependant diabetes mellitus: implications for male reproductive function. Hum Reprod. 2007;22(7):1871-1877. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/dem077
  • [12] Roessner C, Paasch U, Kratzsch J, Glander HJ, Grunewald S. Sperm apoptosis signalling in diabetic men. Reprod Biomed Online. 2012;25(3):292-299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rbmo.2012.06.004
  • [13] Lestienne P, Reynier P, Chrétien MF, Penisson-Besnier I, Malthièry Y, Rohmer V. Oligoasthenospermia associated with multiple mitochondrial DNA rearrangements. Mol Hum Reprod. 1997;3(9):811-814. https://doi.org/10.1093/molehr/3.9.811
  • [14] Phillips BG, Gandhi AJ, Sanoski CA, Just VL, Bauman JL. Comparison of intravenous diltiazem and verapamil for the acute treatment of atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter. Pharmacotherapy. 1997;17(6):1238-1245.
  • [15] Flynn JT, Pasko DA. Calcium channel blockers: Pharmacology and place in therapy of pediatric hypertension. Pediatr Nephrol. 2000;15(3-4):302-316. https://doi.org/10.1007/s004670000480
  • [16] Goldfarb D, Iaina A, Serban I, Gavendo S, Kapuler S, Eliahou HE. Beneficial effect of verapamil in ischemic acute renal failure in the rat. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1983;172(3):389-392. https://doi.org/10.3181/00379727-172-41576
  • [17] Eteraf-Oskouei T, Mikaily Mirak S, Najafi M. Anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenesis effects of verapamil on rat air pouch ınflammation model. Adv Pharm Bull. 2017;7(4):585-591. https://doi.org/10.15171%2Fapb.2017.070
  • [18] Han YN, Lee YJ, Kim KJ, Lee SJ, Choi JY, Moon SH, Rhie JW. Nitric oxide produced by the antioxidant activity of verapamil ımproves the acute wound healing process. Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2021;18(1):179-186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13770-020-00308-x
  • [19] Traub AI, Thompson W. The effect of tamoxifen on spermatogenesis in subfertile men. Andrologia. 2009;13(5):486–490. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0272.1981.tb00087.x
  • [20] Liu PY, Handelsman DJ. The present and future state of hormonal treatment for male infertility. Hum Reprod Update. 2003;9(1):9-23. https://doi.org/10.1093/humupd/dmg002
  • [21] Obata T. Tamoxifen protect against hydroxyl radical generation induced by phenelzine in rat striatum. Toxicology. 2006;222(1-2):46-52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2006.01.023
  • [22] Atakisi E, Kart A, Atakisi O, Topcu B. Acute tamoxifen treatment increases nitric oxide level but not total antioxidant capacity and adenosine deaminase activity in the plasma of rabbits. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2009;13(4):239-243.
  • [23] Lim JS, Frenkel K, Troll W. Tamoxifen suppresses tumor promoter-induced hydrogen peroxide formation by human neutrophils. Cancer Res. 1992;52(18):4969-4972.
  • [24] Zhang Y, Zhao L, Yang Y, Sun P. Fenton-Like Oxidation of Antibiotic Ornidazole Using Biochar-Supported Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron as Heterogeneous Hydrogen Peroxide Activator. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2020 19;17(4):1324. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17041324
  • [25] Bone W, Yeung CH, Skupin R, Haufe G, Cooper TG. Toxicity of ornidazole and its analogues to rat spermatozoa as reflected in motility parameters. Int J Androl. 1997;20(6):347-355. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2605.1998.00077.x
  • [26] Hashim NF, Kadhim KA, Rahmah AM. Effect of human insulin and insulin analogue on some inflammatory markers and total antioxidant capacity in a sample of Iraqi type 1 diabetic children and adolescents. Al Mustansiriyah J Pharm Sci. 2022;21(2):9–14. https://doi.org/10.32947/ajps.v21i2.804
  • [27] Reza Salahshoor M, Faramarzi A, Roshankhah S, Jalili C. The protective effect of pentoxifylline on testopathy in male rats following dimethyl nitrosamine administration: An experimental study. Int J Reprod Biomed. 2019;17(10):727-738. https://doi.org/10.18502/ijrm.v17i10.5292
  • [28] Barroso G, Morshedi M, Oehninger S. Analysis of DNA fragmentation, plasma membrane translocation of phosphatidylserine and oxidative stress in human spermatozoa. Hum Reprod. 2000;15(6):1338-1344. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/15.6.1338
  • [29] Houston BJ, Nixon B, Martin JH, De Iuliis GN, Trigg NA, Bromfield EG, McEwan KE, Aitken RJ. Heat exposure induces oxidative stress and DNA damage in the male germ line. Biol Reprod. 2018;98(4):593-606. https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/ioy009
  • [30] Leisegang K, Henkel R, Agarwal A. Redox regulation of fertility in aging male and the role of antioxidants: A savior or stressor. Curr Pharm Des. 2017;23(30):4438-4450. https://doi.org/10.2174/1381612822666161019150241
  • [31] Khan S, Telang AG, Malik JK. Arsenic-induced oxidative stress, apoptosis and alterations in testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in wistar rats: ameliorative effect of curcumin. Wudpecker J Pham Phamacol. 2013;2:33–48.
  • [32] Gomez E, Irvine DS, Aitken RJ. Evaluation of a spectrophotometric assay for the measurement of malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxyalkenals in human spermatozoa: relationships with semen quality and sperm function. Int J Androl. 1998;21(2):81-94. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2605.1998.00106.x
  • [33] İyidoğan YÖ, Genç S, Koçak H, AKKUŞ E. The effects of superoxide dismutase activity and total antioxidant status in seminal plasma on male infertility. Urol Res Pract .2003; 29: 296-300.
  • [34] Han YN, Lee YJ, Kim KJ, Lee SJ, Choi JY, Moon SH, Rhie JW. Nitric oxide produced by the antioxidant activity of verapamil ımproves the acute wound healing process. Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2021;18(1):179-186. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13770-020-00308-x
  • [35] Atakisi E, Kart A, Atakisi O, Topcu B. Acute tamoxifen treatment increases nitric oxide level but not total antioxidant capacity and adenosine deaminase activity in the plasma of rabbits. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2009;13(4):239-243.
  • [36] Herrero MB, Gagnon C. Nitric oxide: A novel mediator of sperm function. J Androl. 2001;22(3):349-356.
  • [37] Amiri I, Sheikh N, Najafi R. Nitric oxide level in seminal plasma and its relation with sperm DNA damages. Iran Biomed J. 2007;11(4):259-264.
  • [ 38] Hayawii SH, Raoof EH, Mohammad TN. Malondialdehyde in preeclampsia. Mustansiriya Med J. 2016 15(3):1-4.
  • [39] Arif MA, Ahmeid MS, Allaw SA. Malondialdehyde level in the patients subjected to open heart surgery in association with lipid profile. Mustansiriya Med J. 2019;18(1):30-35. http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/MJ.MJ_34_18
  • [40] Al-Kaaby KS, Arif SM, Al-Sheriff HA. Partial protection of verapamil against gentamicin nephrotoxicity in rats. Al Mustansiriyah J Pharm Sci. 2010; 7(1): 137–144. https://doi.org/10.32947/ajps.v7i1.326
  • [41] McClain RM, Downing JC. The effect of ornidazole on fertility and epididymal sperm function in rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1988;92(3):488-496. https://doi.org/10.1016/0041-008x(88)90188-3
  • [42] Gandhi GR, Stalin A, Balakrishna K, Ignacimuthu S, Paulraj MG, Vishal R. Insulin sensitization via partial agonism of PPARγ and glucose uptake through translocation and activation of GLUT4 in PI3K/p-Akt signaling pathway by embelin in type 2 diabetic rats. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2013;1830(1):2243-2255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbagen.2012.10.016
  • [43] Abdulamir HA, Aldafaay AAA, Al-Shammari AH. The role of liver function tests in monitoring the effect of enzyme replacement therapy in children with Gaucher Disease. Res J Pharm and Tech. 2022; 15(8): 3490–3496. https://doi.org/10.52711/0974-360X.2022.00585.
  • [44] Abdulhussein HA, Alwasiti EA, Khiro NK, Nile AK. The potential impact of vascular endothelial growth factor rs699947 polymorphisms on breast tumors susceptibility in a sample of Iraqi females. Acta Pharm Sci. 2024;62(2):268-277. http://dx.doi.org/10.23893/1307.APS6217.
There are 44 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Medical Pharmacology
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Mohammed J Manna 0000-0001-5307-1361

Luma S Baqir 0000-0003-0807-6774

Haidar A Abdulamir

Publication Date June 28, 2025
Submission Date July 5, 2024
Acceptance Date July 15, 2024
Published in Issue Year 2024 Volume: 28 Issue: 5

Cite

APA Manna, M. J., Baqir, L. S., & Abdulamir, H. A. (2025). Verapamil versus tamoxifen in treatment of experimentally induced infertility. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, 28(5), 1485-1491.
AMA Manna MJ, Baqir LS, Abdulamir HA. Verapamil versus tamoxifen in treatment of experimentally induced infertility. J. Res. Pharm. July 2025;28(5):1485-1491.
Chicago Manna, Mohammed J, Luma S Baqir, and Haidar A Abdulamir. “Verapamil Versus Tamoxifen in Treatment of Experimentally Induced Infertility”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 28, no. 5 (July 2025): 1485-91.
EndNote Manna MJ, Baqir LS, Abdulamir HA (July 1, 2025) Verapamil versus tamoxifen in treatment of experimentally induced infertility. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 28 5 1485–1491.
IEEE M. J. Manna, L. S. Baqir, and H. A. Abdulamir, “Verapamil versus tamoxifen in treatment of experimentally induced infertility”, J. Res. Pharm., vol. 28, no. 5, pp. 1485–1491, 2025.
ISNAD Manna, Mohammed J et al. “Verapamil Versus Tamoxifen in Treatment of Experimentally Induced Infertility”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 28/5 (July 2025), 1485-1491.
JAMA Manna MJ, Baqir LS, Abdulamir HA. Verapamil versus tamoxifen in treatment of experimentally induced infertility. J. Res. Pharm. 2025;28:1485–1491.
MLA Manna, Mohammed J et al. “Verapamil Versus Tamoxifen in Treatment of Experimentally Induced Infertility”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, vol. 28, no. 5, 2025, pp. 1485-91.
Vancouver Manna MJ, Baqir LS, Abdulamir HA. Verapamil versus tamoxifen in treatment of experimentally induced infertility. J. Res. Pharm. 2025;28(5):1485-91.