Effects of cyclosporine on oxidant/antioxidant status in rat ovary tissues:: Protective role of black grape extract

Objectives: It has been demonstrated that immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine A (CsA) increases the synthesis of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation products in vitro and in vivo studies, but its possible toxic effects in ovary tissue have not been defined yet. This study was designed to elucidate possible relation between CsA treatment and oxidant/antioxidant status in rat ovary tissue and, to determine if antioxidant supplementation is beneficial. Methods: CsA and black grape extracts were given to rats orally for 10 days. In each group (control, CsA, CsA plus black grape and black grape alone), there were 7 animals (28 rats in total). After the animals were sacrificed, their ovaries were removed to be used in the measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA) level and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and xanthine oxidase (XO) enzymes. Results: In the control, CsA plus black grape and black grape alone groups, NIDA levels were significantly lower than CsA group. Xanthine oxidase activities were significantly higher in CsA and CsA plus black grape groups than control group. In addition, XO activity was significantly lower in black grape alone group than all the other groups including control group. There were no significant differences in the activities of SOD and CAT enzymes between the groups. Conclusion: The results suggest that CsA leads to oxidant stress and peroxidation in rat ovary tissues mainly due to increased XO activity. It has been suggested that this oxidant stress and peroxidation reactions can be prevented by antioxidant food supplementation like black grape. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V All rights reserved.