Effect of pentoxifylline on Sertoli and Leydig cells count of experimentally induced type 1 diabetes in male rats

Background: Pentoxifylline decreased blood viscosity, improved peripheral blood circulation, and improved red blood cell flexibility. It also induced sperm motility and increased microvascular blood circulation in non-diabetic humans. The aim of present study was to evaluate the effect of pentoxifylline administration on Sertoli and Leydig cells count of experimentally induced type 1 diabetes in male rats. Materials and methods: In this experimental study 50 male rats were randomly divided into 3 nondiabetic groups, and 2 diabetic groups. Type 1 diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin, and rats were held for 30 days. Experimental groups on non-diabetic and diabetic rats were received pentoxifylline daily. One non-diabetic group received daily normal saline. Then, all rats were anesthetized and their right testis were extracted and were examined histologically. Sertoli cells and Leydig cells were counted. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and LSD tests. Results: Increase in number of pentoxifylline- treated diabetic rats cells (7.43±0.86, 15.25±1.6) were significantly higher than control diabetic rats (4.4±0.38, 11±1.31) (p=0.001 and p=0.000 respectively). There were significant difference between pentoxifylline treated diabetic rats cells (7.43±0.86, 15.25±1.6), and normal saline- treated non- diabetic rats cells (7.17±1.13, 25.8, 3.5) with other groups (p=0.001 and p=0.000 respectively). There were no significant difference between non- diabetic groups. Conclusion: Our results showed that pentoxifylline administration increased Sertoli cells and Leydig cells count in non-diabetic and diabetic rats in compare to control groups. However its effect in diabetic rats were significant.