Premium
Effects of Methotrexate on Serum Testosterone Level in Sleep‐deprived Male Wistar Rats
Author(s) -
Akindele Opeyemi,
Kunlealabi Olufadekemi,
Oghenetega Bright,
Adeyemi Damilare,
Raji Yinusa
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.685.6
Subject(s) - testosterone (patch) , endocrinology , medicine , sleep deprivation , corticosterone , methotrexate , leydig cell , sleep (system call) , hormone , circadian rhythm , luteinizing hormone , computer science , operating system
Sleep deprivation has been reported to cause reductions in testosterone levels but the mechanism(s) still remain unclear. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation increases interleukin 1 beta (IL‐1β), a pro‐inflammatory cytokine.It is also known that increase IL‐1β level causes a reduction in Leydig cell production of testosterone. This study was designed to examined the effects of methotrexate, an IL‐1β blocker, on serum testosterone levels in sleep deprived Wistar rats. Twenty four male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups ( n = 6); group one (Control) received 1ml of the vehicle (1% tween 80 solution), group two received 0.5mg/kg body weight of methotrexate (MTX), group three was sleep deprived (SD) and received 1ml of the vehicle and group four (MTX + SD) was sleep deprived and received 0.5mg/kg body weight of methotrexate. Sleep deprivation was induced daily using the modified multiple platform technique for 14 days. Treatments were administered twice weekly by oral gavage. Blood was collected on day 14 and serum was obtained for analyses of testosterone, LH, FSH and corticosterone levels. Testicular IL‐1β level and histology of the testis were also examined. Serum testosterone levels were significantly decreased in SD and MTX+SD groups, while corticosterone levels were increased in SD and MTX+SD. Testicular IL‐1β was increased in SD and MTX+SD groups. Mean testosterone reduction in the methotrexate treated sleep deprived rats (MTX + SD) suggests that increased IL‐1β may not be a cause of testosterone reduction in sleep deprived rats.