The effect of tramadol on testicular tissue and insulin and testosterone hormones in healthy rats and streptozotocin-diabetic rats

Tramadol is a synthetic opiate analgesic which is weaker than morphine and stronger than brofen and acetaminophen. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of tramadol on testicular tissue in normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

This experimental study was conducted in Islamic Azad University, Damghan Branch in 2018. In this study, 60 male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (case, control, experimental 1 and 2 and 3 and 4). Simultaneous with other groups becoming diabetic, the control group received intraperitoneal citrate buffer by body weight in order to maintain stability of the body. The diabetic (case) group received intraperitoneal streptozotocin at a dose of 55 mg/kg, experimental group 1 (normal rats + 50 mg/kg tramadol), experimental group 2 (normal rats + 100 mg/kg tramadol), experimental group 3 (diabetic + 50 mg/kg tramadol) and experimental group 4 (diabetic + 100 mg / kg tramadol), received tramadol via gavage for five weeks after being diabetic for two months. At the end of week 5, blood samples were drawn from samples, and biochemical and hormonal factors as well as macroscopic and histological testicular sections were evaluated. Data were analyzed in SPSS 21 using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post-test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
 

In the case (diabetic) group, a significant decrease was observed in spermatogonia (p=0.03), Sertoli (p=0.032) and spermatid cells (p=0.022) compared to the control and experimental groups 1 and 2. In experimental groups 1 and 2, a significant decrease was observed in spermatid cells (p=0.051) compared to the control group. In experimental groups 3 and 4, a significant decrease was observed in Sertoli cells compared to other groups (p=0.02). In the case group, there was a significant decrease in insulin (p=0.001) and testosterone levels (p=0.001) compared to other groups. In experimental groups 1 and 2, due to tramadol administration, testosterone levels showed a significant decrease compared to the control group (p=0.041). In experimental groups 3 and 4, a significant decrease was observed in testosterone levels (p=0.01) compared to the case group, and no significant change was observed in insulin levels in the experimental groups.

Oral administration of tramadol daily for 35 days with specified doses in normal and diabetic rats disrupted blood testosterone balance and reduced spermatogenesis process, such that the more the dose of the drug was, the higher the tissue and hormonal damage was.