Jessie I Ndem¹ , Uduak O Luke¹, Anthony F Uwah², Utibe E Bassey³, Ubong-Isaac U Anwana¹

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effect of vitamin E on testosterone and dihydrotestosterone concentrations in Wistar rats administered artemether/lumefantrine and ciprofloxacin. Methods: Thirty-five albino Wistar rats (average weight of 200 g) were randomly divided into 7 groups of 5 rats per group. Group 1 was the normal control, while Groups 2 and 3 were administered 8 mg/kg artemether/lumefantrine and 7.14 mg/kg ciprofloxacin, respectively. Group 4 received artemether/lumefantrine and ciprofloxacin (AL-CIPRO) concomitantly, while Groups 5, 6 and 7 received Vitamin E in addition to AL, CIPRO and AL-CIPRO combinations, respectively. Plasma testosterone and dihydrotestosterone concentrations and testicular weight were determined. Results: The concentrations of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone decreased non-significantly (p > 0.05) following separate administration of AL and CIPRO but significantly (p < 0.05) with concomitant administration compared with control. Vitamin E, in combination with the drugs, significantly (p < 0.05) increased testosterone and dihydrotestosterone concentrations compared to groups without vitamin E. Testicular weight exhibited the same pattern of result. Conclusion: Artemether/lumefantrine and ciprofloxacin administration, singly and in combination, may induce reproductive toxicity, which could be due to free radicals generated from their metabolism. Vitamin E co-administration with the drugs (AL, CIPRO and AL-CIPRO) demonstrates an ameliorative effect against toxicity induced by the drugs, which may be attributed to its free radical scavenging ability