Candesartan ameliorated arsenic induced testicular toxicity in rats

The study was conducted to evaluate the ameliorative effect of candesartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker in arsenic-induced testicular toxicity in rats. Total study period was 90 days. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (n=8). Group I was kept as control and was given only potable drinking water. Group II was given 1 mg/kg candesartan cilexetil in Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) last 30 days. Group III, arsenic treated group was given 50 ppm sodium arsenite in drinking water for 90 consecutive days. Group IV was administered with 50 ppm arsenic for 90 days along with candesartan from 61-90 days. All untreated group were given vehicle CMC for last thirty days. Different sperm quality parameters like total sperm count, sperm liveability, sperm abnormality percentage and histopathological alterations of testes were studied. Histological alterations and reduction in sperm count, liveability and increase in abnormality were observed in arsenic treated animals. Candesartan treatment could restore the testicular damage and sperm quality deterioration in the arsenic treated rats.