imatinib alters cell viability but not growth factors levels in tm4 sertoli cells

background: the anticancer agent imatinib (im) is a small molecular analog ofatp that inhibits tyrosine kinase activity of platelet derived growth factors (pdgfs)and stem cell factor (scf) receptor in cancer cells. however these factors have a keyrole in regulating growth and development of normal sertoli, leydig and germcells.objective: the aim of this study was to determine cell viability, pdgf and scflevels in mouse normal sertoli cells exposed to im.materials and methods: in this experimental study, the mouse tm4 sertoli cellswere treated with 0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 μm im for 2, 4 or 6 days. the cell viabilityand growth factors levels were assessed by mtt and elisa methods, respectively.for statistical analysis, one-way anova was performed.results: im showed significant decrease in sertoli cell viability compared to controlgroup (p=0.001). however, im increased pdgf and scf level insignificantly(p>0.05).conclusion: results suggested that im treatment induced a dose dependentreduction of cell viability in sertoli cells. it seems that treatment with this anticancerdrug is involved in the fertility process. further studies are needed to evaluate therole of pdgf and scf in this cell.