“生精散”对大鼠睾丸扭转复位后生精功能的影响及其机制研究

目的:研究"生精散"对大鼠睾丸扭转复位后生精功能的影响及其机制。方法:40只雄性SD大鼠随机分为假手术组(A组),对照组(B组),生精散组小(C组)、中(D组)、大剂量组(E组),每组8只。建立左侧睾丸扭转模型,B组自扭转前1 h开始给予每日灌胃生理盐水1 ml/d,C组(0.01 g/kg.d)、D组(0.02 g/kg.d)、E组(0.03 g/kg.d)分别按体重给予灌服生精散,连续35 d后处死大鼠,对大鼠进行精液常规分析,用RT-PCR检测大鼠精子CatSper1的表达。结果:a+b级精子百分率、精子存活率、精子浓度,CatSper1基因表达,与A组[(51.30±6.60)%、(69.01±7.20)%、(40.53±7.01)×106/ml、2.04±0.77]相比,B组[(15.30±6.30)%、(44.42±6.36)%、(21.00±6.14)×106/ml、1.12±0.50),均显著降低(P<0.01);与B组相比,D组[(51.63±3.20)%、(72.09±2.20)%、(55.30±5.90)×106/ml、2.11±0.20]、E组[(55.93±3.17)%、(73.01±2.11)%、(58.33±4.90)×106/ml、2.31±0.17]均显著升高(P<0.01),而C组[(18.02±0.23)%、(48.04±7.01)%、(22.87±2.10)106/ml、1.19±0.51]升高不明显(P>0.05)。结论:生精散可以促进睾丸扭转复位后精子质量的恢复,其机制可能与调节生精功能,提高精子细胞CatSper1基因的表达有关。     

生脉注射液对不同周龄大鼠睾丸扭转复位后睾丸损伤影响的研究

目的:探讨生脉注射液对不同周龄大鼠睾丸扭转复位后睾丸损伤影响的差异。方法:3、6、12周龄健康雄性SD大鼠各16只,随机分成睾丸扭转复位+注射生脉注射液组(实验组)和睾丸扭转复位+注射生理盐水组(对照组),每组8只,建立睾丸扭转动物模型(左侧阴囊切开,绕精索顺时针扭转睾丸720°2h),并于手术后24h处死,测定各组大鼠睾丸组织内总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)、超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性与丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果:与各自对照组比较,3、6周实验组大鼠左侧睾丸组织中T-AOC、SOD活性和MDA含量均无显著性改变(P>0.05);12周实验组大鼠左侧睾丸组织中SOD、T-AOC明显升高,而MDA含量显著降低,差异均具有显著性(P<0.05)。结论:生脉注射液对睾丸扭转复位后的缺血再灌注急性损伤有保护作用,但对不同周龄大鼠的再灌注损伤保护作用不同,存在年龄相关性差异,对较大周龄大鼠的急性保护作用较为明显。     

茶多酚对大鼠睾丸扭转/复位模型保护作用的研究

目的:探讨茶多酚对大鼠睾丸扭转/复位模型的保护作用。方法:将24只健康雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为3组,每组8只。第Ⅰ组为假手术组(切开左侧阴囊游离睾丸,但不予扭转),第Ⅱ、Ⅲ组扭转左侧睾丸720°6h,分别于扭转复位前30min腹腔注射生理盐水和茶多酚,术后连续3d分别以低剂量维持。3组大鼠喂养至术后第5天处死,切取左侧扭转睾丸检测睾丸组织中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和丙二醛(MDA)含量;以原位缺口末端标记法(TUNEL)检测生精细胞凋亡指数(AI)。结果:Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ3组左侧扭转睾丸组织SOD活力分别为(285.00±22.51)、(242.00±17.62)、(261.00±10.01)nU/mg;MDA含量分别为(1.81±0.20)、(4.34±0.34)、(2.94±0.38)nmol/mg;3组之间比较均有显著性差异。Ⅰ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ3组左侧扭转睾丸生精细胞凋亡指数(AI)分别为6.64±1.82、55.23±6.46、31.84±5.56,第Ⅲ组与第Ⅱ组相比,其生殖细胞凋亡明显减少(P<0.05)。结论:茶多酚对因睾丸扭转导致的缺血再灌注损伤具有保护作用。     

低温对大鼠睾丸扭转复位后生殖细胞凋亡的影响

目的 探讨低温对大鼠睾丸扭转复位后生殖细胞凋亡的影响。方法 24只健康青春期SD雄性大鼠随机分为三组:A组为睾丸扭转组,B组为睾丸扭转加低温组,C组为对照组。建立单侧睾丸扭转模型。术后第14天采集睾丸。原位缺口末端标记法(TUNEL)检测其生殖细胞凋亡指数(AI),光镜下观察睾丸组织学变化。结果 B组AI明显低于A组(P<0.01),而高于C组(P<0.01)。结论 低温能够提高扭转睾丸耐缺血能力,减少睾丸扭转复位后生殖细胞凋亡。     

Protective effect of ebselen on experimental testicular torsion and detorsion injury

Ebselen is used as a drug in clinical trials against stroke, reperfusion injury with anti‐atherosclerotic and renoprotective effects. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of ebselen, on torsion/detorsion (T/D)‐induced biochemical and histopathological changes in experimental testicular ischaemia/reperfusion injury. A total of 28 male Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups: group 1(sham‐operated group, n = 7), group 2(ebselen group, n = 7), group 3(torsion/detorsion + saline, n = 7) and group 4(T/D + 10 mg kg^?1 ebselen group, n = 7). The tissue homogenate samples were used for immediate nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione measurement. Testes in all groups were evaluated for the biochemical assay and histopathological examinations. To evaluate spermatogenesis, Johnsen scoring system was used. Testicular tissue MDA and NO levels in group 3 were significantly higher than in group 1 and 4. In histological evaluation of the testicular tissues, ebselen administration improved tubular histology significantly compared with T/D group. Significant increase in histological score was observed in the testis of group 3 compared with group 1 and 2. Histological score in group 4 significantly decreased compared with group 3. Johnson score was significantly lower in T/D group compared with all other three groups, ebselen administration increased the score significantly compared with T/D group. Ebselen reduced oxidative biochemical and histopathological damage in our testicular T/D rat model.     

Milrinone ameliorates ischaemia-reperfusion injury in experimental testicular torsion/detorsion rat model

This experimental study aims to evaluate the efficacy of milrinone against ischaemia-reperfusion injury due to testicular torsion/detorsion. Group 1 was defined as the control group. Testicular torsion/detorsion model was performed in Group 2. Group 3 had similar procedures to the rats in Group 2. In addition, 0.5 mg/kg of milrinone was administered intraperitoneally immediately after testicular torsion in Group 3. Histopathological examinations indicated a dramatic improvement in terms of inflammation, haemorrhage, oedema, congestion, Cosentino and Johnson scores in Group 3 compared to Group 2 (p = .037, p = .045, p = .018, p = .040, p = .033 and p = .03 respectively). Blood biochemical analyses, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-px) activity and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels increased significantly in Group 3 compared to Group 2 (p = .001, p = .024 and p < .001). Malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels decreased in Group 3 compared to Group 2 (p = .001, p = .018, p < .001, p = .036 and p = .002 respectively). Tissue biochemical analyses determined an increase in SOD and GSH-px activity in Group 3 compared to Group 2, while PC and MDA levels were reduced (p = .001, p < .001, p = .038 and p < .001 respectively). Milrinone attenuates ischaemia-reperfusion injury that causes highly harmful effects due to testicular torsion/detorsion.     

Diffusion tensor imaging in evaluating testicular injury after unilateral testicular torsion and detorsion in rat model: A preliminary study

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a functional magnetic resonance sequence based on the movement of water molecules. This study attempted to investigate the feasibility of DTI in evaluating testicular injury after testicular torsion and detorsion. Seventy-two rats were randomly divided into the sham group, torsion group and detorsion group. The left testis in the sham group was brought out through a scrotal incision for 1 hr, and that of the torsion group was twisted 720^o clockwise for 1 hr and fixed to the scrotum, while the detorsion group was restored after being twisted 720° for 1 hr. Rats were further divided into four subgroups according to the set time, then performed DTI and histology analysis. The mean diffusion of the torsion and detorsion groups increased within 24 hr (p <.01), while it in the detorsion-1-week-group was lower than that in the detorsion-24-hr-group (p <.05). The fraction anisotropy of both experimental groups decreased in the acute phase (p <.01), while that of the detorsion-1-week-group increased (p <.01). Cosentino score in both experimental groups showed an increasing trend (p <.05). Besides, the spermatogenic ability of the detorsion-1-week-group decreased (p <.05). In conclusion, DTI was able to evaluate the injury after testicular torsion and detorsion.     

The protective effect of erythropoietin infusion on testicular torsion/detorsion: an experimental study

Introduction  The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) on the histopathology of testes after unilateral testicular torsion and detorsion. Materials and methods  Twenty-five male Sprague–Dawley rats weighing 120 g were used in this study. The rats were randomly divided into three groups, a sham group consisting of five rats and the other two groups consisting of ten rats. In group 1 (sham group), right orchiectomy with no additional intervention was performed. In group 2 (T/D group), torsion was created by rotating the testis 720° in a clockwise direction for 4 h. After a 4-h torsion period, the right testis was detorted and replaced into the scrotum for 4 h. After the torsion, 0.5 cc 0.9% NaCl solution was injected once and three times in a week (total 12 doses). In group 3 (T/D + erythropoietin; EPO group), the same surgical procedure was done as in group 1, but EPO 1,000 IU/kg was injected just before the detorsion and three times in a week. At the end of each procedure, bilateral orchiectomies were performed for the histopathological examinations in all groups. Results  We examined the testes weight, vascularization of the region between the seminiferous tubules, percentage of necrotic seminipherous tubules, and maturation of spermatogenesis in terms of necrosis, sertoli cells, maturation arrest of spermatogenesis, hypospermatogenesis, and normal spermatogenesis of torsioned testis tissues with and without EPO treatment. Extremely significant differences in testicular weight were observed in group 1 compared to groups 2 and 3 (P < 0.001). Conclusion  Administration of EPO significantly influenced the rescue of testicular function by preserving the intact seminiferous tubular morphology, lowering the percentage of necrotic seminipherous tubules, and significantly reducing histological damage (P < 0.05).     

大鼠单侧睾丸扭转复位后对对侧睾丸的影响

目的研究大鼠单侧睾丸扭转复位后对对侧睾丸的影响。方法16只成年健康SD雄性大鼠随机分为实验组(n=8)和对照组(n=8)；建立单侧睾丸扭转复位模型。术后30d取扭转对侧睾丸,采用原位缺口末端标记法(TUNEL)检测生殖细胞凋亡,光镜下计数精子数。结果与对照组相比,实验组对侧的睾丸重量和日产精子量都有显著性差异(P＜0.05),实验组生殖细胞凋亡显著增多(P＜0.01)。结论大鼠单侧睾丸扭转后,对侧睾丸生殖细胞凋亡增多可能是导致不育的原因之一。     

The protective effect of darbepoetin alfa on experimental testicular torsion and detorsion injury

AIM: Testicular torsion is a serious urological emergency, usually involving newborns, children, and adolescents which can lead to subfertility and infertility. Prevention of testicular damage caused by torsion is still a clinical and experimental problem. So far many chemicals and drugs have been investigated for decreasing ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in experimental animals. The possible protective effect of darbepoetin alfa, a novel erythropoietic protein, on testicular tissue after I/R injury was examined in this study. METHODS: Thirty rats were divided into three groups: sham operation, torsion/detorsion, and torsion/detorsion plus darbepoetin alfa groups. After torsion (2 hours) and detorsion (4 hours), bilateral orchiectomy was performed. Malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and glutathione levels were determined in testicular tissue. RESULTS: Administration of darbepoetin alfa caused a decrease of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels and an increase in glutathione levels compared with the torsion/detorsion group. In addition, histological injury scores were significantly decreased in the treatment group more than the torsion/detorsion group. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that darbepoetin alfa may be a potential protective agent for preventing testicular injury caused by testis torsion.     

一氧化氮在一侧睾丸扭转对侧睾丸损伤中的作用

目的 研究总抗氧化能力(T-AOC)和一氧化氮(NO)在一侧睾丸扭转对侧睾丸损伤中的作用。方法 SD雄性大白鼠建立左侧睾丸扭转模型，于扭转后6h再分为扭转睾丸复位及切除组，分别于术后1h、1d、1周、2周和4周处死4—5只，取出睾丸用于一氧化氮合酶(NOS)活性、NO、T-AOC及细胞凋亡的检查。结果 UTT复位后对侧睾丸组织NOS活性、NO含量明显升高，T—AOC显著降低。结论 NO过量产生及T-AOC的下降是UTT对侧睾丸损伤的重要原因。     

Reperfusion injury after detorsion of unilateral testicular torsion

Summary Reperfusion injury has been well documented in organs other than testis. An experimental study was conducted to investigate reperfusion injury in testes via the biochemical changes after unilateral testicular torsion and detorsion. As unilateral testicular torsion and varicocele have been shown to affect contralateral testicular blood flow, reperfusion injury was studied in both testes. Given that testicular blood flow does not return after 720° testicular torsion lasting more than 3 h, the present study was conducted after 1 and 2 h of 720° torsion. Adult male albino rats were divided into seven groups each containing ten rats. One group served to determine the basal values of biochemical parameters, two groups were subjected to 1 and 2 h of unilateral testicular torsion respectively, two groups were subjected to detorsion following 1 and 2 h of torison respectively, and two groups underwent sham operations as a control. Levels of lactic acid, hypoxanthine and lipid peroxidation products were determined in testicular tissues. Values of these three parameters obtained from the sham operation control groups did not differ significantly from basal values (P>0.05). All three parameters were increased significantly in both ipsilateral and contralateral testes after unilateral testicular torsion when compared with basal values (P<0.01 and P<0.05, respectively). Detorsion caused significant changes in lipid peroxidation products levels in ipsilateral but not in contralateral testes when compared with values obtained after torsion (P<0.01 and P>0.05, respectively). It is concluded that ipsilateral testicular torsion causes a decrease in perfusion not only in the ipsilateral but also in the contralateral testis. Additionally, detorsion following up to 2 h of 720° torsion causes reperfusion injury in ipsilateral but not in contralateral testis.     

Dehydroepiandrosterone treatment attenuates reperfusion injury after testicular torsion and detorsion in rats

Purpose

We aimed to evaluate the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on antioxidant enzyme activities, lipid peroxidation, and histopathologic changes in both testes after unilateral testicular torsion and detorsion.

Methods

Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 6 for each group): sham operation, torsion/detorsion (T/D), T/D + vehicle, and T/D + DHEA. Three hours before detorsion, 50 mg/kg DHEA was given intraperitoneally to the T/D + DHEA group. Testicular ischemia was achieved by twisting the left testis 720° clockwise for 3 hours, and reperfusion was allowed for 24 hours after detorsion. In all groups, bilateral orchiectomies to determine the testicular tissue catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and histopathologic examination were performed.

Results

Compared with those from the sham group, CAT activities in the ipsilateral testis obtained from the T/D group were significantly lower and MDA levels were significantly higher (P < .05 for all).Administration of DHEA prevented increases in MDA levels and decreases in CAT and superoxide dismutase activities when compared to the T/D group. Specimens from the T/D and the T/D + vehicle groups had a significantly greater histologic injury than the specimens from the sham and the T/D + DHEA groups had (P < .01 for both).

Conclusions

The results suggest that DHEA may be a protective agent for preventing biochemical and histopathologic changes related to oxidative stress in testicular injury caused by testis torsion.     

Effects of montelukast and zileuton on testicular torsion/detorsion injury in rats

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the effects of 5‐lipoxygenase enzyme (5‐LO) inhibitor zileuton and cysteinyl leukotriene receptor (CysLT1R) antagonist montelukast in testicular torsion/detorsion (T/D) injury model in rats. Rats were anaesthetised with 75 mg kg^?1 ketamine hydrochloride and 8 mg kg^?1 xylazine intraperitoneal before the operation. Torsion was created by rotating the right testis 720° clockwise and maintained by fixing the testis. The rats were treated with CysLT1R antagonist montelukast (10 mg kg^?1; i.p.), 5‐LO inhibitor zileuton (3 mg kg^?1; i.p.), and vehicle, at 30 min prior detorsion. After 1 h of torsion, the testis was counter‐rotated to the natural position and replaced into the scrotum. Malondialdehyde (MDA) level was measured in testicular tissue after 3 h of reperfusion. Histological examination was performed after 24 h of reperfusion. T/D caused a significant increase in MDA level and histopathological injury in testes. Montelukast and zileuton treatments prevented the T/D‐induced augmentation in MDA levels. Only zileuton treatment significantly reduced the T/D‐induced histopathological injury. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that zileuton had protective effects on testicular T/D injury. We have also found that zileuton is more effective than montelukast on histopathological injury.     

单侧睾丸扭转对生殖细胞凋亡及黄芪保护作用的实验研究

目的观察大鼠单侧睾丸扭转／复位后患侧和对侧睾丸生精细胞凋亡情况,探讨单侧睾丸扭转／复位后生殖能力下降的机制以及黄芪注射液对其再灌注损伤的保护作用。方法将40只健康雄性Wistar大鼠分为4组,分别为假手术对照组（A组）,睾丸扭转／复位组（B组）,睾丸扭转／复位＋单次腹腔内注射黄芪注射液组（C组）及扭转／复位十连续腹腔内注射黄芪注射液组（D组）,每组10只。按Turner法建立睾丸扭转／复位模型,所有大鼠均在同等条件下喂养至术后7d处死,切取双侧睾丸后检测凋亡指数。结果扭转侧睾丸生殖细胞凋亡指数（AI）A组（5．82±1．21）与B组（36．18±8．40）、C组（20．39±3．57）、D组（11．61±5．12）相比差异有显著性（P〈0．05）,B组明显高于C组及D组（P〈0．05）,C组与D组相比差异有显著性（P〈0．05）;B组对侧睾丸（12．95±3．06）与C组（9．45±1．71）、D组（7．56±1．06）两组对侧睾丸AI相比差异有显著性（P〈0．05）,C、D两组对侧睾丸AI差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。结论单侧睾丸扭转可致患侧和对侧睾丸生精细胞凋亡明显增加,黄芪注射液可明显减少双侧睾丸生殖细胞凋亡,连续应用黄芪注射液优于单次应用。     

Protective influence of rosiglitazone against testicular ischaemia–reperfusion injury in rats

Testicular torsion is a urology urgent disease which causes testicular injury and potential sterility. In this study, we explored the protective influence of rosiglitazone on testicular ischaemia–reperfusion damage. There were 28 male Sprague Dawley rats in total, which were assigned randomly to four groups. Group A was blank control one; group B was testicular injury one; group C was rosiglitazone one; group D was rosiglitazone antagonist one. The testicles were counter‐rotated after 2 hr and then underwent orchiectomy 24 hr later. We found that testicular tissue structure of rats was seriously damaged in groups B and D. However, group C had better testicular architecture. Similar findings were also shown for lipid peroxidation by evaluating the MDA activity (p < .05). Unlike group B or group D, the levels of inflammation by evaluating the MPO activity, the levels of TNF‐a, IL‐1 and IL‐6 and the expressions of ICAM‐1 were prominently lower in group C (p < .05) as well. So our researches demonstrated that rosiglitazone significantly decreased the amount of responsive oxygen radical and regulated inflammatory responses. Rosiglitazone had a protective influence against testicular ischaemia–reperfusion injury in rats and possibly depended on its anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant traits.     

Antiapoptotic effects of dehydroepiandrosterone on testicular torsion/detorsion in rats

In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on apoptosis of testicular germ cells after repair of testicular torsion in rats. Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups, with six rats in each group: sham operation, torsion/detorsion (T/D), T/D + vehicle, and T/D + DHEA. Three hours before detorsion, 50 mg kg(-1) DHEA was given intraperitoneally to T/D + DHEA group. In all groups, bilateral orchiectomies were performed and both testicles were histologically examined, with apoptosis detected using the in situ DNA fragmentation [terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling (TUNEL)] system, with morphological damage detected using a four-level grading scale in each specimen. The testes of the sham group showed a normal histology. In T/D and T/D + vehicle groups, apoptotic spermatogonia and spermatocyte number were significantly higher than in the sham group (P < 0.01 for all). The T/D + DHEA group showed a reduction in apoptotic spermatocyte and spermatogonia number in seminiferous epithelia compared with T/D group (P < 0.01 for both). Apoptotic cell number of contralateral testes did not reveal any significant differences among these groups (P > 0.05). Specimens from T/D and T/D + vehicle had a significantly greater histological injury than sham and T/D + DHEA groups in the ipsilateral testes (P < 0.01 for both). Therefore, the results suggest that DHEA may be a protective agent for preventing apoptosis caused by testicular torsion.     

葡萄籽原花青素对小鼠睾丸扭转复位后生精功能的保护作用

目的:探讨葡萄籽原花青素(GSP)对小鼠睾丸扭转复位后生精功能的保护作用。方法:24只健康雄性昆明小白鼠(8周龄,25～27 g)随机分为3组:对照组、扭转组、治疗组,每组8只。扭转组及治疗组建立单侧睾丸扭转复位动物模型,治疗组于扭转复位前30 min腹腔注射GSP(50 mg/kg),术后采用腹腔注射方式连续给药3 d,每天1次,每次50 mg/kg。扭转组方法同治疗组,治疗同体积生理盐水。术后第4天取扭转侧睾丸,检测组织病理学参数和生精细胞凋亡指数(AI),并检测睾丸组织超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和丙二醛(MDA)含量。对照组行假手术。结果:治疗组与扭转组相比,Johnsen评分上升[(7.38±0.92)分vs(5.00±1.85)分,P<0.05],生精小管直径略增大[(178.75±1.58)μm vs(176.50±1.60)μm,P>0.05],生精细胞层数增加[(5.75±0.71)层vs(3.75±1.03)层,P<0.05],生精细胞凋亡指数AI明显降低[(16.25±1.67)%vs(40.50±1.60)%,P<0.05)],SOD活性明显上升[(52.67±3.57)U/mg prot vs(29.04±4.46)U/mg prot,P<0.05],MDA含量明显下降[(2.91±0.04)nmol/mg prot vs(4.63±0.05)nmol/mg prot,P<0.05]。结论:GSP对小鼠睾丸扭转复位后生精功能损伤有明显的保护作用,其作用机制可能与其能清除氧自由基、抑制脂质过氧化、提高机体抗氧化能力有关。     

Protective effects of quercetin on testicular torsion/detorsion-induced ischaemia-reperfusion injury in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of quercetin (QE) on testicular torsion/detorsion-induced ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. A total of 24 male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: control, I/R and I/R treated with QE; each group contain eight animals. Testicular torsion was created by rotating the left testis 720° in a clockwise direction. The ischaemia period was 5 h and orchiectomy was performed after 5 h of detorsion. QE (15 mg kg(-1) , i.p.) was administered only once, 40 min prior to detorsion. Left orchiectomy was performed in all I/R groups. To date, no histopathological changes on testicular torsion/detorsion-induced I/R injury in rats by QE treatment have been reported. Spermatogenesis and mean seminiferous tubule diameter were significantly decreased in I/R groups were compared with the control group. Furthermore, QE treated animals showed an improved histological appearance in I/R group. Our data indicate a significant reduction in the activity of TUNEL, endothelial nitric oxide synthase and a rise in the expression of testosterone in testes tissue of I/R treated with QE therapy. We believe that further preclinical research into the utility of QE may indicate its usefulness as a potential treatment on testes injury after I/R in rats.