Submit Manuscript | http://medcraveonline.com Abbreviations: Zn, zinc; DOX, doxorubicin; MDA, malondialdehyde; GPx, glutathione peroxidase; CAT, catalase; SOD, superoxide dismutase; TAC, total antioxidant capacity; ROS, reactive oxygen species Introduction Redox status refers to the balance or equilibrium between antioxidants and oxidants in tissues, organs or system. 1,2 Impaired homeostasis of the redox status of a tissue, organ and/or system causes oxidative stress as well as inducing toxcity. 3,4 Toxicants (lead, acrylamide, calcium carbide, etc.) and over dose of drugs like acetaminophen was shown to induce physiological alterations in stomach, blood, kidneys, testis. 5–8 Reproductive system which is vital for procreation and avoidance of extinction of a particular system has been affected adversely by several factors ranging from technology to herbs and toxicants. 9–11 Doxorubicin, a known anticancer drug has been reported to induce reproductive toxicity; its oxidative stress impact on testis was also demonstrated in animal models. 12,13 This study was designed to evaluate the impact of Zinc supplement on redox status of animal model of doxorubicin-induced testicular oxidative stress following the benefcial report of Zn supplementation on reproductive functionality and pathophysiological conditions. 14–16 Materials and methods This study was performed strictly in accordance to the principle of use and cares for laboratory animals (NIH, Publication, No 85-23); Wistar rats gotten from the animal farm of Gregory University, Uturu was housed in standard, clean, comfortable and aerated cages under a dark/light cycle. The rats were allowed access to standard growers chow and water ad libitum. The animals were allowed a period of 14 days to acclimatize. Thereafter, Single dose of doxorubicin (10m/ kg b.wt. i.p.) was used to induce testicular oxidative stress on DOX group as well as DOX+Zn group. DOX group was left untreated, while DOX+Zn were treated with Zn (10mg/kg b.wt. p.o.) daily for 14days after induction of testicular oxidative stress. Doxorubicin- induced testicular oxidative stress model was adopted from Saalu et al., 17 while Zn dosage was adopted from Maremanda et al. 18 Redox status was evaluated by measuring testicular GPx, CAT, SOD, MDA as described by Nwosu et al., 11 and TAC as described by Gökçe et al. 19 Data obtained was statistically analyzed using GraphPad Prsim (8); Results were compared with control and Zn-only group as well as between DOX group and DOX+Zn group. Statistical signifcance was considered at P<0.05. Results Zinc supplement activities on MDA levels of animal model of doxorubicin-induced testicular oxidative stress Zn supplement signifcantly decreased MDA levels of doxorubicin- induced testicular oxidative stress on comparison between DOX and DOX+Zn (P<0.05) (Figure 1); which suggests an improvement of redox status as MDA a known oxidant was reduced. 1 J Bacteriol Mycol Open Access. 2023;11(2):100‒102. 100 ©2023 Onwuka et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially. Zinc supplement alleviates redox alterations mediated by doxorubicin-induced testicular oxidative stress Volume 11 Issue 2 - 2023 Osah Martins Onwuka, 1 Joyce Nonubari Nzor, 2 Nkemakolam Bright Nwosu3 1 Human Physiology Department, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gregory University, Nigeria 2 Biochemistry Department, College of Natural and Applied Science, Gregory University, Nigeria 3 Pure and Industrial Chemistry Department, College of Natural and Applied Science, Gregory University, Nigeria Correspondence: O M Onwuka, Human Physiology Department, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Gregory University, Uturu, 441103, Abia State, Nigeria, Email Received: July 17, 2023 | Published: August 01, 2023 Abstract Background: This study investigated the activities of zinc (Zn) supplement on redox status of animal model of doxorubicin-induced testicular oxidative stress; in order to ascertain whether Zn supplement could be benefcial on altered testicular redox status mediated by doxorubicin (a known anticancer drug). Methods: Single dose of doxorubicin (10mg/kg b.wt. i.p.) was used to induce testicular oxidative stress on DOX group as well as DOX+Zn group; DOX group was left untreated, while DOX+Zn was treated with Zn (10mg/kg b.wt. p.o.) daily for 14days after induction of testicular oxidative stress. Results were compared with control and Zn-only group as well as between DOX group and DOX+Zn group. Statistical signifcance was considered at P<0.05. Results: Doxorubicin (DOX) induced testicular oxidative stress by increasing lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde; MDA) and decreasing glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) when compared to control, P<0.05. Zn treatment decreased testicular MDA and improved testicular GPx, CAT, SOD and TAC; when Zn-only group is compared to control as well as comparison between DOX group and DOX+Zn group at P<0.05. Conclusion: Zinc supplement alleviates redox alterations mediated by doxorubicin- induced testicular oxidative stress by improving testicular GPx, CAT, SOD, TAC and decreasing testicular MDA; forming basis for inclusion of Zn supplement as a combatant of doxorubicin-induced testicular oxidative stress. Keywords: doxorubicin, zinc supplement, redox status, oxidative stress, testis, reproductive system Journal of Bacteriology & Mycology: Open access Research Article Open Access