Investigation of the protective effect of nesfatin-1 on testicular ischaemia-reperfusion damage: An experimental study

This study aimed to determine oxidative stress in the tissue after testicular torsion biochemically and histopathologically and to examine the effects of Nesfatin-1 treatment on this injury. Thirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham, torsion + detorsion (4 hr torsion followed by 1 hr detorsion), ischaemia/reperfusion + saline (I/R + S) and I/R + nesfatin-1. I/R + S group a single-dose saline treatment was administered intraperitoneally at the two-hundred-tenth minute of torsion (ischaemia; 10 cc/kg). Similarly, I/R + nesfatin-1 group a single dose of nesfatin-1 treatment was administered intraperitoneally at the two-hundred-tenth minute of ischaemia (10 µg/kg). Myeloperoxidase, total oxidant status and oxidative stress index values were significantly increased in the I/R and I/R + S group compared to the sham group. Superoxide dismutase was significantly decreased in the I/R + S group compared to the sham group. No significant difference was found between the I/R + nesfatin-1 group and the other I/R groups (I/R and I/R + S) in terms of biochemical parameters. The mean diameter of the seminiferous tubule decreased in the I/R groups. However, the mean diameter of the seminiferous tubules was not significantly different between the I/R + S group and the I/R + nesfatin-1 group. Thus, the administration of nesfatin-1 after ischaemia did not reduce testicular-oxidative stress.     

Minocycline attenuates testicular damages in a rat model of ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury

Testicular torsion is a serious urological disease leading to testicular damage. This study aimed to assess the effect of minocycline on testicular ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury caused by testicular torsion/detorsion. Male adult Wistar rats (n = 32) were assigned into four groups of sham, I/R, I/R + minocycline and minocycline. I/R injury was induced by two sets of surgical operations, including the rotation of the left testis (720°, counterclockwise), followed by detorsion after 4 hr. The administration of minocycline was carried out 30 min before detorsion and then continued for 8 weeks. At the end of the 8th week, rats were killed and sampling was done. Johnson's score, the height of seminiferous tubule epithelium, the mean seminiferous tubule diameter, as well as biochemical parameters, SOD, GPx and CAT, were significantly enhanced in the I/R + minocycline group compared with the I/R group. The administration of minocycline led to a marked decrease in expression levels of Caspase-3, Bax, IL-1β and TNF-α genes, and a remarkable increase in expression levels of Bcl-2, 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD3 genes compared with the I/R group. Administration of minocycline could also reduce the rate of germ cell apoptosis (TUNEL staining). Hence, minocycline was useful in the management of testicular torsion/detorsion.     

Protective effects of sumatriptan on ischaemia/reperfusion injury following torsion/detorsion in ipsilateral and contralateral testes of rat

This study was planned to evaluate the effects of sumatriptan, 5‐HT1B/1D receptors agonist, on ischaemia/reperfusion injury in bilateral testes after unilateral testicular torsion/detorsion in rats. Male Wistar rats (n = 42) were allocated into a sham‐operated group, a control group and treatment groups which were injected sumatriptan (0.1, 0.3 and 1 mg/kg), GR‐127935 (0.01 mg/kg)—5‐HT1B/1D receptors antagonist—and sumatriptan (0.1 mg/kg) + GR‐127935 (0.01 mg/kg). Torsion was induced for 1 hr by rotating right testis 720⁰ in the clockwise direction, and after 7 days of detorsion, bilateral orchiectomy was conducted. While the level of TNF‐α rose in testicular tissue after inducing torsion/detorsion, sumatriptan injection notably lowered TNF‐α level in ipsilateral (torted) and contralateral (nontorted) testes (p < 0.001). Moreover, after inducing testicular torsion/detorsion, SOD activity was decreased, whereas administration of sumatriptan significantly increased SOD activity in bilateral testes (p < 0.001). After induction of torsion/detorsion, macroscopic and histological analyses also showed severe damages which were improved by sumatriptan injection. Interestingly, co‐administration of sumatriptan with GR‐127935 reversed the beneficial impacts of sumatriptan on macroscopic appearance, microscopic pattern and biochemical markers. It is concluded that sumatriptan presumably via stimulation of 5‐HT_1B/1D receptors decreased inflammation, oxidative stress and deteriorations induced by ischaemia/reperfusion injury following testicular torsion/detorsion.     

Protective effects of Stevia rebaudiana aqueous extract on experimental unilateral testicular ischaemia/reperfusion injury in rats

This project aimed to examine Stevia rebaudiana aqueous extract protective effects on testicular ischaemia/reperfusion injury of rats. Forty rats were randomly divided into five groups: (1) sham group, (2) torsion/detorsion group, (3 and 4) low and high doses treatment groups received S. rebaudiana extract intraperitoneally 30 min before detorsion by 500 and 1,000 mg/kg respectively, and (5) healthy group received the extract by 1,000 mg/kg. In this study, left testes were rotated 2 hr, reperfusion period took long 5 hr, and then orchiectomy was performed. Histopathological and biochemical evaluations of testicular tissue samples were performed. Histopathologically, sham and healthy groups exhibited normal seminiferous tubules. Germinal cell necrosis, interstitial oedema, haemorrhage and congestion were seen in torsion/detorsion group. Testicular tissues of both treatment groups revealed lower histopathological alterations. Significant higher malondialdehyde level was observed in torsion/detorsion group than sham and healthy groups (p < .05). Compared with torsion/detorsion group, S. rebaudiana extract significantly reduced malondialdehyde level in treatment groups (p < .05). Torsion/detorsion group had significantly lower glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities than sham and healthy groups, and these parameters showed significant increase in treatment groups compared with torsion/detorsion group (p < .05). The results revealed S. rebaudiana has this potential to protect the testes from ischaemia/reperfusion injury.     

Effects of myricetin on testicular torsion-detorsion injury in rats

Testicular torsion is an emergency, and unless there is an urgent intervention, irreversible ischaemic damage and gonad loss occur in the testicle. We aimed to investigate myricetin's antioxidant properties as well as its protective effect against ischaemia–reperfusion (I/R) damage in the testicular torsion model. A total of 18 rats were divided into three equal groups. Group 1 was the sham group. Group 2: testicular torsion was performed, and orchiectomy was done 2 hr after detorsion. Group 3: received torsion and 1 mg/kg intraperitoneal myricetin was given 30 min before detorsion, and orchiectomy was applied 2 hr after detorsion. We evaluated tissue malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels and Johnsen Testicular Biopsy Score to show its histopathological effect. There was a statistically significant decrease in MDA values in myricetin group compared to Group 2 (p < .017). There was no significant difference in the statistical analysis of SOD and CAT values (p = .337 and p = .025). There was a statistically significant difference in testicular I/R damage in the myricetin group compared to Group 1 and Group 2 (p < .017). Myricetin treatment significantly decreased testicular tissue damage compared to the torsion group but did not reach the values close to the control group.     

Protective effect of thymoquinone against testicular torsion induced oxidative injury

We aimed to determine the protective effects of thymoquinone (TQ), against ischaemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury in the testis tissue of rats. Twenty‐seven male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three equal groups as follows: Group I, sham group; Group II, torsion group; and Group III, torsion + thymoquinone group. The ischaemia period was 2 h, and orchiectomy was performed after 30 min of detorsion. Testis tissue sections were analysed with the terminal transferase mediated dUTP‐nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay to determine in situ apoptotic DNA fragmentation. Additionally, Caspase 3 and Bax proteins were analysed immunohistochemically. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) activity levels in the testis tissue were also measured. The superoxide dismutase activity and malondialdehyde levels in the torsion group were significantly higher than those of the sham group (P < 0.05). Thymoquinone administration significantly reduced these levels. Torsion significantly increased active‐Caspase 3 and Bax expression, which was decreased by thymoquinone. The apoptotic index of the torsion group was significantly higher than that of the control group. However, thymoquinone significantly reduced the apoptotic index (P < 0.05). Our results indicate that thymoquinone plays a protective role in oxidative stress induced ischaemia–reperfusion in the testis tissue of rats.     

Investigation of the protective role of chrysin within the framework of oxidative and inflammatory markers in experimental testicular ischaemia/reperfusion injury in rats

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of chrysin on testicular torsion and detorsion damage in rats in terms of biochemistry, histopathology and immunohistochemistry. The study was performed on Wistar albino rats between 250 g and 300 g. A total of 40 rats were used. Five groups were created with eight rats in each group. Group 1 was the control group, and no torsion procedure was performed. In Group 2, 2 hr of torsion and 2 hr of detorsion were applied. In Group 3, 2 hr of torsion and 24 hr of detorsion were applied. In Group 4, 2 hr of torsion, 2 hr of detorsion and 50 mg/kg intraperitoneal chrysin were applied. In Group 5, 2 hr of torsion, 24 hr of detorsion and 50 mg/kg of chrysin were applied. In the torsion/detorsion groups, the study determined decreases in glutathione and testosterone levels, increases in tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-4, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10 levels, and increases in expression levels of caspase-3 and caspase-8. Chrysin application reduced malondialdehyde, tumour necrosis factor-α, caspase-3 and caspase-8 expression levels. We can say that chrysin can be used to reduce damage in cases of testicular ischaemia/reperfusion. For more reliable results, further clinical trials are recommended.     

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.     

Rosuvastatin protects tissue perfusion in the experimental testicular torsion model

Recently, anti-inflammatory and tissue protective effects of statins have been shown independent from its anti-hyperlipidemic effect. It has been shown that one of the statins, rosuvastatin, may reduce ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced tissue injury in the brain, intestines, and heart. We planned an experimental study to evaluate the effect of rosuvastatin on I/R injury encountered after the detorsion of the testicular torsion. Rats were divided into three groups. In group 1, testis basal blood flow (basal value) was measured with LASER Doppler flowmeter (LDF). Testis was relocated into the scrotum without torsion. Two and 3 h after the basal measurement, testis was brought out from the same incision, and the second (second value) and third (third value) testicular blood flow measurements were done, respectively. In group 2, after the measurement of basal value testicular torsion was created. Second and third value measurements were obtained with LDF at the end of the 2 h of testicular torsion just before the detorsion and 1 h after detorsion. In group 3, same procedures in torsion/detorsion group were repeated in this group, but 10 mg/kg rosuvastatin was injected intraperitoneally 30 min before detorsion. Second values in groups 2 and 3 were significantly lower than group 1. Third values were significantly low in group 2 compared to groups 1 and 3. Regarding the third measurement, there was no significant difference between the groups 1 and 3. Tissue injury is closely related with condition of microvascular perfusion after I/R. Rosuvastatin can protect tissue perfusion in the experimental testicular torsion model.     

Predictive value of ischaemia-modified albumin in spermatogenesis in an experimental testicular torsion model

Our aim was to measure the ability of ischaemia-modified albumin (IMA) to predict testicular histopathological damage in the testes of rats with short- and long-term ischaemia using experimental testicular torsion and subsequent reperfusion via detorsion.21 Wistar Albino rats were randomized into three groups. The sham group was subjected to a mid-scrotal incision only. The 4- and 8-hr T/D (Torsion/Detorsion) groups were subjected to left testicular torsion by twisting the testes by 720 degrees counterclockwise. 2 cc venous blood samples were taken from the sham group after the mid-scrotal incision, and from the 4- and 8-hr T/D groups after 4 and 8 hr respectively. After that, the 4- and 8-hr T/D groups were subjected to detorsion. Two days later, orchiectomy was performed. Ischaemia-modified albumin levels were significantly different among the groups at 48 hr prior to orchiectomy (reperfusion; p = .003). Based on the results of the paired comparisons, it was found that IMA levels of the sham group were significantly higher than those of the 4- and 8-hr T/D groups (p = .002 and .009 respectively). Our study has showed that IMA may be used to predict ischaemia/reperfusion injury, which is another complication that may occur following detorsion in testicular torsion.     

Co-administration of Salvia miltiorrhiza and verapamil inhibits detrimental effects of torsion/detorsion on testicular tissue in rats

Testicular torsion/detorsion is one of the important emergencies that requires fast surgical intervention. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza hydroalcoholic extract combined with verapamil on testicular ischaemia/reperfusion damage in Wistar albino rats. All animals were distributed in 3 groups (n = 8), including the sham-operated group, torsion/detorsion (TD) group and torsion/detorsion + pretreatment with 200 mg/kg Salvia miltiorrhiza extract combined with 0.3 mg/kg verapamil (SMV) group. Oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA, GPx, CAT and TAC) both in plasma and testicular tissue, sperm parameters (motility, vitality, concentration and morphology) and histopathological parameters (MSTD, GECT, Johnson's score, Cosentino's score and testicular cell thickness) were assessed in all groups. Ischaemia/reperfusion significantly increased MDA and decreased GPx, CAT and TAC levels (p < .05). Pretreatment with SMV significantly increased GPx, CAT and TAC levels (p < .05). SMV group increased progressive sperm motility and vitality and reduced non-progressive motility of spermatozoon (p < .05). Testicular torsion significantly decreased all histopathological parameters compared to the sham group (p < .05). SMV pretreatment remarkably increased MSTD, GECT and Cosentino's score in comparison with the TD group (p < .05). A combination of Salvia miltiorrhiza with verapamil could reduce damages triggered by testicular torsion detorsion and improve sperm functionality parameters and oxidative stress defence systems.     

Protective effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Fumaria parviflora on testicular injury induced by torsion/detorsion in adult rats

This study was designed to determine the effects of daily oral administration (250 mg/kg) of the hydroalcoholic extract of Fumaria parviflora (FP) for 14 days on the sperm parameters, oxidative stress parameters, serum testosterone levels, expression of Bax and Bcl‐2 genes, and apoptosis index of germ cells after testicular torsion–detorsion (ischaemia–reperfusion, IR) injury model in rats. Twenty‐eight adult male Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups of seven each: sham operation, torsion–detorsion (TD), TD plus the hydroalcoholic extract FP (TDFP) and only FP without TD application (FP). Testicular torsion was created by rotating the left testis 720° in a counterclockwise direction; then, after 4 hr, detorsion was performed. The Johnson's score, mean seminiferous tubule diameter (MSTD) and height (thickness) of seminiferous tubule epithelium (HST) were significantly increased in TDFP and FP groups as compared to TD group. The gene expression of Bcl‐2, level of serum testosterone hormone and antioxidant parameters—GPx and SOD—were significantly higher in TDFP and FP groups than TD group. The index of apoptosis, the gene expression of Bax and the level of MDA were significantly higher in TD group than TDFP and FP groups. Therefore, F. parviflora could decrease oxidative stress induced by testicular torsion–detorsion.     

Honey improves spermatogenesis and hormone secretion in testicular ischaemia–reperfusion‐induced injury in rats

This study was conducted to survey the protective effect of pre‐treatment with Persian honey during post‐ischaemia reperfusion on ischaemia–reperfusion (IR)‐induced testis injury. Animals were divided into four groups of IR, honey + ischaemia‐ reperfusion (HIR), vitamin C + ischaemia‐ reperfusion (VIR) and carbohydrates + ischaemia‐ reperfusion (CIR). The testes were examined for spermatogenesis index. Detection of single‐ and double‐stranded DNA breaks at the early stages of apoptosis was performed. Total serum concentration of FSH, LH and testosterone was measured using ELISA. All data were expressed as mean ± SD in each group, and significance was set at p ≤ .05. Spermatogenesis index was significant in the HIR group (p < .001). Serum levels of FSH and LH were significantly higher in the CIR and HIR groups. Serum levels of testosterone were significantly higher in VIR and HIR groups. Apoptotic cells in IR and CIR groups increased significantly statistically (p < .001), while in HIR and VIR groups, the number of apoptotic cells decreased and the positive cells of TUNEL staining were detected in spermatocytes and spermatid. The present study indicates that honey decreases the cellular damage and apoptosis during testicular I/R injury, with significant protective effects on reproductive hormone production.     

Effects of amlodipine on ischaemia/reperfusion injury in the rat testis

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of amlodipine (AML) in rat testicular torsion/detorsion damage. In this study, rats were divided into eight groups: (i) sham; (ii) testicular ischaemia, 2 h of ischaemia; (iii) testicular ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R), 2 h of ischaemia followed by 2 h of reperfusion; (iv) ischaemia + AML (5 mg kg^?1) administered 30 min before ischaemia; (v) ischaemia + AML (10 mg kg^?1) administered 30 min before ischaemia; (vi) and (vii) I/R + AML (5 mg kg^?1) and I/R + AML (10 mg kg^?1) administered 1.5 h after the induction of ischaemia, respectively, and at the end of a 2‐h ischaemia period and a 2‐h reperfusion period applied; and (viii) sham + AML (10 mg kg^?1). Significant decreases in levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione were observed in ischaemia and reperfusion groups when compared with healthy controls. These antioxidant levels increased in AML groups while malondialdehyde levels significantly decreased. While increases in tumour necrosis factor‐alpha and transforming growth factor‐beta levels were found in the torsion and detorsion groups, significant decreases in the levels of these inflammatory cytokines were observed in the treatment groups. These results demonstrate that AML significantly produced protective effects on testis tissue damage that occurs in the torsion/detorsion model via biochemical, histopathological and molecular pathways.     

Protective effects of thymoquinone on experimental testicular ischaemia–reperfusion injury: an apoptotic,proliferative and biochemical study

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of thymoquinone (TQ), which has antioxidant properties in the experimental testicular I/R model in rats in terms of its anti‐apoptotic, proliferative and biochemical attributes. In our study, 24 male rats were divided into three groups: control group, I/R group and I/R+TQ group. Testicular torsion was created by rotating the left testis 720° in a clockwise direction. The ischaemia period was 4 h, and an orchiectomy was performed after 4 h of detorsion. Spermatogenesis and the mean seminiferous tubule diameter were significantly decreased in the I/R groups compared to the control group. Furthermore, TQ‐treated animals displayed an improved histological appearance in the I/R group. It was also observed that treatment with TQ increased the activity of PCNA, which decreased as a result of I/R, and this treatment also reduced the number of TUNEL‐positive cells. The I/R+TQ group showed a decrease in malondialdehyde levels and an increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase in comparison with the I/R group. It could be concluded that cytoprotective effects of TQ on the I/R testicles are via reduction of apoptosis, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation.     

Protective role of erythropoietin during testicular torsion of the rats

Testicular torsion is an important clinical urgency. Similar mechanisms occurred after detorsion of the affected testis as in the ischemia reperfusion (I/R) damage. This study was designed to investigate the effects of erythropoietin (EPO) treatment after unilateral testicular torsion. Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups. Group 1 underwent a sham operation of the right testis under general anesthesia. Group 2 was same as sham, and EPO (3,000 IU/kg) infused i.p., group 3 underwent a similar operation but the right testis was rotated 720° clockwise for 1 h, maintained by fixing the testis to the scrotum, and saline infused during the procedure. Group 4 underwent similar torsion but EPO was infused half an hour before the detorsion procedure, and in group 5, EPO was infused after detorsion procedure. Four hours after detorsion, ipsilateral and contralateral testes were taken out for evaluation. Treatment with EPO improved testicular structures in the ipsilateral testis but improvement was less in the contralateral testis histologically, but EPO treatment decreased germ cell apoptosis in both testes following testicular IR. TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and nitrite levels decreased after EPO treatment especially in the ipsilateral testis. We conclude that testicular I/R causes an increase in germ cell apoptosis both in the ipsilateral and contralateral testes. Eryhropoietin has antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects following testicular torsion.     

Testicular nitric oxide levels after unilateral testicular torsion/detorsion in rats pretreated with caffeic acid phenethyl ester

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in modulating blood flow in normal and in several pathological conditions, and its levels seem to change with ischemia–reperfusion injuries. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), an active component of propolis, exhibits antioxidant properties. This experimental study was designed to determine the changes in NO levels and the effect of CAPE on NO levels after testicular torsion/detorsion in rats. Thirty-five adult male albino rats were divided into four groups: sham operation (n=8), torsion (n=9), saline/detorsion (n=9), and CAPE/detorsion (n=9). Rats in the sham operation group were killed after the testes were handled without torsion. Rats in the torsion group were killed after 720° clockwise testicular torsion for 2 h. CAPE was administered 30 min before detorsion in the CAPE/detorsion group and saline was administered in the saline/detorsion group. After 4 h of testicular detorsion in both of these groups, the rats were killed and bilateral orchiectomy was performed to determine the tissue levels of NO. The level of NO in the torsion group (113.77 ± 33.18 nmol/g protein) was significantly higher than that of the sham operation group (64.53 ± 29.64 nmol/g protein). In the saline/detorsion group, the NO level (31.26 ± 12.58 nmol/g protein) was significantly lower than in the torsion and sham operation groups. CAPE administration in the CAPE/detorsion group seemed to raise the NO level (72.63 ± 23.87 nmol/g protein) above the level of the sham operation group. Contralateral testes were not affected by the torsion/detorsion processes performed on the ipsilateral testes. These results show that NO levels increase with torsion and decrease with detorsion. CAPE administration seems to increase tissue NO levels and this may be important for protecting the testes from torsion/detorsion injuries. Received: 30 December 1999 / Accepted: 8 September 2000     

Protective effects of immunophilin ligands on testicular torsion/detorsion damage in rats

Objectives  The purpose was to investigate the role of immunophilin ligands in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced germ cell apoptosis in the rat. Materials and methods  Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into five groups with ten animals in each. In animals undergoing torsion/detorsion, right testes were rotated 720o for 1 h. A baseline group was for basal normal values. The sham-operated group served as a control group. The TD group underwent torsion/detorsion surgery alone; the cyclosporine-A group (TD-CsA) received intravenous cyclosporine injection (5 mg/kg) at the time of detorsion, and the FK-506 group (TD-FK) received intravenous FK-506 (3.5 mg/kg) at the time of detorsion. For measurement of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities, the right testes of five animals in each group were excised after 4-h reperfusion. Germ cell apoptosis indices were determined 24 h following detorsion in the right testes of the remaining five animals in each group. Results  Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the TD group were significantly higher compared to control and baseline groups. Moreover, testicular MDA values in TD-CsA and TD-FK groups were significantly lower than in TD. There were also significant decreases in catalase and superxide dismutase activities in the TD group compared to control and baseline groups. These values in TD-CsA and TD-FK groups were significantly higher than in TD. The mean germ cell apoptosis scores were significantly higher in TD animals compared to control and baseline groups; however, CsA and FK-506 treatment significantly reduced the apoptosis compared with the TD group. Conclusion  We have shown that administration of immunophilin ligands in testicular torsion decreases ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) cellular damage. The results of biochemical studies suggest that reduction of oxidative stress along with attenuated neutrophil accumulation by immunophilin ligands may have a major role in their cytoprotective effects.     

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.     

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.