VELOSO, Edson Vinícius.
Abstract:
The expansion of services in human and animal health, and the use of new diagnostic techniques
have increased the life expectancy of man and domestic animals. Consequently, the number of
oncological diagnoses in these species has grown at the same rate. Chemotherapy has emerged
as an important alternative in the treatment of various types of tumors. Despite the therapeutic
efficacy of many chemotherapy protocols, the use of these drugs has severe limitations, which
are related to their adverse effects. Antineoplastic drugs act during the process of cell division,
preventing the multiplication of neoplastic cells, and consequently, the growth and expansion
of neoplasms. However, many normal tissues present a high degree of cell proliferation, making
them the target of the action of chemotherapeutics, the reason for the origin of many adverse
effects that limit the use of antineoplastic drugs. The evaluation of cytoprotective substances
has become increasingly frequent and necessary to ensure the integrity of normal tissues in
patients undergoing chemotherapy. Among the factors that impact reproductive capacity,
maintaining the integrity of the male gonads of cancer patients is of great importance, especially
in prepubertal individuals, whose reproductive immaturity makes it impossible to conserve
gametes for later use in assisted reproduction biotechnologies. L-carnitine has shown promising
protective effects on the testis subjected to the action of several aggressive agents, including
chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to compile information regarding the use of
antineoplastics and substances that protect the male gonads from the adverse effects of these
drugs and to analyze the effects of vincristine sulfate and the protective action of L-carnitine on
the male gonads of albino rats. This work comprises a systematic review that groups works that
directly address the subject and two scientific experiments whose objective was to determine
the cytoprotective effects of L-carnitine on the testes of rats treated with vincristine sulfate in
the prepubertal phase. The results indicate a severe degree of damage to the seminiferous
epithelium and Sertoli cells caused by the action of the antineoplastic. L-carnitine reduced the
deleterious effects of the antineoplastic on the testicular variables studied.
