Investigation of fluoroquinolone derivatives effects in testis tissue of rats in the light of histological and biochemical findings

Background Fluoroquinolones (FQ) are highly potent bactericidal antibiotics with broad spectrum activity that are widely used in the treatment of human and animal diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of three different FQ derivatives (ciprofloxacin: CIP, levofloxacin: LVX, and moxifloxacin: MFX) in rat testis tissue in three different time periods: 1st day, 7th day, and 14th day. Results 72 Wistar albino male rats were divided into four groups (n = 18 for each group): Control, CIP (80 mg/kg), LVX (40 mg/kg), and MXF (40 mg/kg). Testis tissue was collected from sacrificed rats for histochemical (hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining) and immunohistochemical (cyclooxygenase-2: COX-2) examinations and evaluation of biochemical parameters. MXF caused a significant decrease in malondialdehyde content depending on the time period. The adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels of the CIP group were significantly higher than the other groups according to the first day results. On the other hand, LVX caused a significant increase in ADA level on the 14th day compared to the control group, and the first day of LVX application. Significantly higher acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels on the first day were measured in LVX and MXF groups compared to the control group. FQ treatments caused degenerations from mild to intense in rat testis tissue. In addition, COX-2 level was eleviated in testis tissue of rats treated with FQ derivatives. Conclusion FQ derivatives used in this study caused degeneration in testis tissue, increasing ADA, AChE, and COX-2 levels.