The role of N-Acetylcysteine in preventing cyclophosphamide-induced gonadotoxicity: An experimental study in rats

Abstract

This study assessed whether NAC could prevent cyclophosphamide (CY)-induced damage, by measuring the anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) levels. Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided into four groups: CY + NAC, CY, NAC and control, each including 12 rats. There was no significant difference among the 24-h AMH values of the groups (p = 0.452), whereas a significant difference was found in terms of 72-h values (p = 0.003). Paired comparisons revealed no significant difference between CY and CY + NAC (p>0.699) and NAC (p = 0.065) groups regarding 72-h AMH values. However, AMH concentrations of the CY group at 72 hours were significantly lower than those of the control group (p = 0.015). AMH concentrations of the CY + NAC group at 72 hours were also significantly lower than those of the NAC group (p = 0.002) and the control group (p = 0.002). The AMH levels of CY and CY + NAC groups at 72 hours were significantly lower than those at 24 hours. The 24-h and 72-h AMH levels in the NAC and control groups were similar. In the present study, a single dose of NAC failed to prevent the cytotoxic effects of CY.