Protective effect of aprotinin on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat ovary

AIM: We investigated the effects of aprotinin on reperfusion injury in a controlled experimental rat torsion-detorsion model. METHODS: Thirty-two female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Sham operation was performed in group I; in group II only ovarian torsion was performed. In group III, torsion-detorsion was performed, plus 3 mL/kg saline was injected i.v. 30 min before detorsion. In group IV, torsion-detorsion was performed, plus aprotinin (30,000 KIU/kg) was injected 30 min before detorsion. Rats in the torsion group were killed after 360 degrees clockwise adnexial torsion for 3 h, and the ovaries were harvested. After 3 h of adnexial detorsion, the rats in the saline and aprotinin groups were killed and the adnexa were surgically removed. RESULTS: Ovarian tissue damage scores were significantly different among groups. Ovarian tissue and serum malondialdehyde levels in group III were significantly higher than those of groups I and IV (P<0.05). The serum levels of superoxide dismutase in group III were significantly lower than those of groups I and IV (P=0.01). Tissue and serum xanthine oxidase, nitric oxide, and tissue superoxide dismutase levels were comparable among groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Aprotinin attenuates ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat adnexial torsion-detorsion model.