The effects of verapamil and heparin co-administration on sperm parameters and oxidative stress in prevention of testicular torsion/detorsion damage in rats

In this research, the impacts of combined administration of verapamil and heparin on testicular torsion damage were examined. In this experimental study, 30 sexually mature male Wistar albino rats were divided into five equal groups haphazardly (n = 6): Group 1 was the sham group. In group 2, a 2-hr testicular torsion was induced, and thereafter, detorsion was done. Rats in group 3 and group 4 experienced an identical surgical procedure like group 2, but verapamil and heparin were administered in 0.3 mg/kg and 800 IU/kg doses respectively, and in group 5, a combination of verapamil and heparin were administered. Intraperitoneal drug injection in all treatment groups was done 30 min before testicular detorsion. Testicular torsion significantly changed sperm parameters, oxidative stress biomarkers and Cosentino's histological score compared to the sham group (p < .05). All treatment groups reduced testicular damage by decreasing oxidative stress and improving sperm parameters, but heparin and co-administration of verapamil and heparin were significantly better than verapamil injection alone. However, heparin injected group was more effective than other treatment groups (p < .05). Overall, an anticoagulant like heparin is more effective than a calcium channel blocker such as verapamil, and it is more likely to reduce testicular torsion injuries.     

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.     

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 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.     

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 effect of liraglutide on experimental testicular ischaemia reperfusion in rats

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of liraglutide on experimental testicular ischaemia reperfusion in rats in terms of biochemistry, histopathology and immunohistochemistry. A total of 28 male Wistar-Albino rats were divided randomly into 4 groups: control (7), sham (7), ischaemia-reperfusion (7) and ischaemia-reperfusion + liraglutide (7). Biochemically, Nitric Oxide, Malondialdehyde, Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione peroxidase and Catalase levels were measured in the testis. Apoptosis protease activating factor-1 and inducible nitric oxide synthase activity were evaluated immunohistochemically as well. Statistical analyses were made via the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests. In the reperfusion group, CAT and SOD values were increased (p > .05), NO and MDA values were decreased (p < .05) after administration of liraglutide. In addition, GPx values were significantly increased in ischaemia reperfusion + liraglutide administered group compared to reperfusion group (p < .05). Apaf-1 and iNOS activity were significantly decreased with the addition of liraglutide treatment to the ischaemia-reperfusion group (p < .05). First of all, we would like to say that liraglutide treatment is moderately preventive against I/R injury in testicular torsion. The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties of liraglutide are create a moderately protective effect as we show in this study.     

Study on correlation of sperm quality parameters with antioxidant and oxidant status of buffalo bull semen during various stages of cryopreservation

This investigation was carried out to study the correlation of sperm quality parameters with antioxidant and oxidant status of buffalo bull semen during various stages of cryopreservation. Semen samples were evaluated for sperm parameters (mass motility [MM], concentration [CON], progressive motility [PM], viability [VIB], acrosomal integrity [AI] and hypo‐osmotic swelling [HOS] response), antioxidants (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], glutathione peroxidase [GPx] and total antioxidant capacity [TAC]) and oxidants (Lipid peroxidation [LPO] and reactive oxygen species [ROS]) at fresh, pre‐freeze and post‐thaw stages. Sperm parameters (PM, VIB, AI and HOS response) and antioxidants (SOD, CAT and TAC) were significantly (p < .05) reduced at fresh stage, and oxidants (LPO and ROS) were significantly (p < .05) increased at pre‐freeze and post‐thaw stages. At fresh stage, MM was negatively correlated with LPO (p < .05), and CON was positively correlated with SOD, TAC and CAT, negatively correlated with LPO and CAT was positively (p < .01) correlated with VIB and HOS response. At pre‐freeze stage, CAT was positively correlated with PM and AI (p < .05), and AI was negatively (p < .05) correlated with ROS. At post‐thaw stage, CAT was positively correlated with PM, VIB, HOS response and AI,, and LPO was negatively correlated with HOS, AI and VIB. The study of correlations of these parameters at different preservation stages with bull fertility may play an important role in developing models for predicting future fertility of bulls in the absence of conception rate data.     

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.     

Protective effect of urapidil on testicular torsion–detorsion injury in rats

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of urapidil and low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) on testicular torsion–detorsion injury in rats.

Methods

Thirty-two male Sprague–Dawley rats were used. In the torsion–detorsion (T/D) group, the left testis was twisted at 720° for 3 h. After 3 h of reperfusion, the testis was removed. Urapidil or LMWH was administered intraperitoneally 30 min before detorsion in the treatment groups.

Results

Unilateral testicular torsion–detorsion caused significant increases in the malondialdehyde level and apoptosis and significant decreases in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities in ipsilateral testes (p < 0.001). The rats treated with urapidil had a significant decrease in the malondialdehyde level and apoptosis and significant increases in the SOD and GPx activities in ipsilateral testes compared to the T/D group (p < 0.001). Animals treated with LMWH showed non-significant reductions in malondialdehyde levels and apoptosis compared to the T/D group. In addition, no significant difference in the SOD activities (p = 0.52) between the groups was found. The increase in the GPx activities was significant in the LMWH group compared to the T/D group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The administration of urapidil before detorsion prevents ischemia/reperfusion cellular damage in testicular tissue. LMWH was not found to have a beneficial effect on testicular T/D injury in rats.

     

Comprehensive examination of haematological parameters of patients operated due to testicular torsion

We aimed to investigate the pre-operative predictive role of haematological parameters in patients with testicular torsion. The medical records of patients operated between January 2016 and November 2018 were retrospectively analysed. The demographic characteristics and complete blood count of the patients were recorded. We divided the patients who operated with testicular torsion into two groups: detorsion (Group 1) and orchiectomy (Group 2). A control group (Group 3) was created from healthy volunteers. All haematological parameters and other demographic data were compared between three groups. A total of 144 participants were included; Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3; 61, 27 and 56 respectively. The duration of symptoms and monocyte counts were found statistically significantly higher in patients undergoing orchiectomy than detorsion (p < .01). We found a significant difference in terms of neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte counts and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio between patients with testicular torsion and controls. We also found that the monocytes count and symptom duration differed significantly between the detorsion group and the orchiectomy group. It is obvious that there is contradictory information according to the studies in the literature. We can say that the duration of symptoms and the number of monocytes are predictors of testicular viability.     

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.     

Sinapic acid reduces ischemia/reperfusion injury due to testicular torsion/detorsion in rats

This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of sinapic acid (SA) on biochemical and histopathological changes in an experimental testicular torsion-detorsion rat model. Twenty-four rats were randomised into four groups: sham group, ischemia/reperfusion (IR) group subjected to testicular torsion for 2 hr and then detorsion for 4 hr, and two groups treated with SA1 and SA2 (10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg, by single intraperitoneal injection, 30 min before reperfusion). Serum testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured by an autoanalyzer, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), and nitric oxide (NO) oxidative stress parameters by spectrophotometric methods, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) parameters by the Elisa method. In addition, immunohistochemical and histopathological examinations were performed on testicular tissues. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of serum testosterone, FSH and LH levels (p > .05). SA significantly reduced increased testicular damage, oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death and also restored decreased antioxidant enzyme activities (p < .05). Pre-treatment of rats with SA reduced testicular dysfunction and morphological changes IRI. SA's antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties were found to be protective against testicular IR.     

Propofol attenuates reperfusion injury after testicular torsion and detorsion

Propofol, which is widely used as an intravenous anesthetic, has been shown to have an antioxidant activity on several tissues. This study was designed to investigate the prevention of reperfusion injury with propofol after testicular torsion. Five groups of rats (seven in each group) were used. Animals in the control group (group I) did not received any treatment, while animals in the sham group (group II) underwent scrotal incision and testicular fixation only. After 2 h of 720° left testicular torsion in groups III, IV and V, subsequent detorsion was done for 2 h in groups IV and V. Propofol (50 mg/kg) was injected transperitoneally 30 min prior to detorsion in group V. Both testicles in all rats were retrieved and tissue malondialdeyhde (MDA) level, which is a measure of the amount of free oxygen radicals, and enzymatic activity of xanthine oxidase (XO), which converts hypoxanthine to xanthine and uric acid were studied. In addition, tissue catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities, which are endogenous scavenger enzymes, protecting tissues against free radicals, were studied. Additionally, histological evaluations were performed after hematoxylin and eosin staining. Testicular MDA levels, and XO and CAT activities were higher in the torsion group compared to sham control group (P<0.05). Detorsion caused a further increase in MDA levels, contrasting with a decrease in the levels of XO activity, while CAT activity was not changed. Pretreatment with propofol prevented a further increase in MDA levels and significantly decreased CAT activity following detorsion. GSH-Px activities were not effected either by torsion/detorsion or propofol pretreatment. Histologically, torsion caused some separation between germinal cells in the seminiferous tubules, which became much more prominent in the detorsion group and attenuated with propofol pretreatment. There was no significant change in any of the abovementioned enzymatic activities nor were there histopathological changes in the contralateral testicle in any groups. It is concluded that biochemically and histologically reperfusion injury occurs in the ipsilateral testis following detorsion up to 2 h. Preference of propofol for anaesthesia during the detorsion procedure may attenuate such reperfusion injury.     

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.     

Metformin decreases testicular damages following ischaemia/reperfusion injury in rats

The effects of metformin on a testicular torsion injury in adolescent rat testis after I/R were evaluated in the present study. Forty adolescent rats were divided into five groups with eight rats per group: a control group; a sham-operated group; an ischaemia group, where torsion was applied for 4 hr and testis was examined immediately after detorsion; an I/R group, where torsion was applied for 4 hr and the testis was examined 4 hr after detorsion; and an I/R + M group, where the metformin (300 mg/kg) administration was added to the identical procedures used for the I/R group. Spermatogenesis, basal membrane integrity and cleaved caspase-3 expression were assessed. The I/R + M group had a significantly higher Johnsen score than the I/R group (7.9 ± 0.1 vs. 7.5 ± 0.2; p < .001; F-value = 14.2). Failure of basal membrane integrity was highest in the ischaemia group (45 ± 5) compared to the other groups (control group, 20 ± 5; sham-operated group, 16.6 ± 2.8), but not different between the I/R + M (31.6 ± 12.5) and the I/R groups (25 ± 3.5). Cleaved caspase-3 expression was highest in the ischaemia group (73.5 ± 0.7), and significantly lower in the I/R + M group (33.4 ± 0.9) than the I/R group (58.5 ± 0.2; p < .05; F-value = 7.6). Metformin decreases testicular damage by exerting protection against the harmful effects of I/R on spermatogenesis and alleviating apoptosis in adolescent rat testis.     

The protective effect of Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) on testicular torsion/detorsion: An experimental study in mice

Purpose

To evaluate the expression of Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) in torsion/detorsion of the testes in different phases and demonstrate the protective effect of CIRP on testicular injury after torsion/detorsion (T/D) in an experimental mouse model.

Methods

Twenty-four male BALB/c mice were divided randomly into 8 groups: normal control group (N), sham-operated group (S), torsion 2 h group (T2h), torsion/detorsion 12 h group (T/D12h), and T/D24h, T/D48h, T/D72h, and T/D96h groups. The testes were examined for the expression levels of CIRP. Another 32 male BALB/c mice were divided randomly in to 4 groups: normal control group (N), T/D group, T/D + pcDNA3.1 group, and T/D + pcDNA3.1-CIRP group. The plasmids were transfected into testes with in vivo-jetPEI. After 3 days, morphological changes, mean seminiferous tubule diameter (MSTD), and the number of the germ cell layers were observed. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), and Bcl-2/Bax ratios were studied in the different groups.

Results

Compared with the N and S groups, the expression of CIRP in the T2h group was down-regulated. In T/D groups, the levels of CIRP were reduced in a time dependent manner. Compared to T/D and T/D + pcDNA3.1 group, the MSTD, number of the germ cell layers, SOD activity, and Bcl-2/Bax ratio increased in T/D + pcDNA3.1-CIRP group, while the level of MDA decreased.

Conclusions

The results of our study have shown that down-regulated CIRP is involved in testicular injury after testicular torsion/detorsion. Up-regulation of the expression of CIRP may reduce the damage caused by torsion/detorsion, possibly by preventing germ cell oxidative stress and apoptosis.     

The effect of zinc aspartate pretreatment on ischemia-reperfusion injury and early changes of blood and tissue antioxidant enzyme activities after unilateral testicular torsion-detorsion

Background/purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of zinc aspartate (ZA) pretreatment on ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury and blood and tissue antioxidant enzyme activity early after unilateral testicular torsion-detorsion (T/D).

Methods

Forty prepubertal male Sprague-Dawley rats (weight 160 to 220 g) were divided into 4 groups each containing 10 rats. Surgery was conducted under intraperitoneal 1-shot ketamine (50 mg/kg) anesthesia. The scrotum was entered through a midline incision. Rotating the left testis 720° in a clockwise direction was the model of the testicular torsion. Group 1 was for the basal values. Group 2 had 4 hours T/D. Group 3 also had 4 hours T/D and pretreated with 50 mg/kg intraperitoneal ZA injection half an hour before detorsion. Group 4 was designed as a sham group. In the Group 2 and Group 3, the tunica vaginalis was opened, and left testicles were rotated clockwise 720° and maintained in this torsion position by fixing with a silk suture to the scrotal wall. The scrotum was closed and 4 hours later reentered for testicular detorsion. After spermatic cord detorsion, the scrotum was closed. At the end of 4 hours detorsion period, bilateral orchiectomies were performed, and 5-mL intracardiac blood samples were taken. Blood and tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured, and histopathologic examination was performed.

Results

Group 2 and group 3 had decreased blood SOD and CAT activities and elevated MDA levels indicating I/R injury. The 2 groups were also different from each other for these parameters reflecting the beneficial effect of ZA pretreatment (P < .05). The decreased ipsilateral tissue SOD and CAT activities in group 2 were different from the other groups including group 3 (P < .05). Ipsilateral tissue MDA levels of both group 2 and group 3 were elevated. Group 2 had higher values than group 3 (P < .05). In addition, specimens from group 2 had a significantly greater histologic injury than group 3 (P < .05). These findings were also supporting the beneficial effect of ZA pretreatment. All measurements of contralateral tests were similar to the basal values for all groups (P > .05).

Conclusions

ZA pretreatment reduces I/R injury by its antioxidant effects after unilateral testicular T/D and affects the antioxidant enzyme systems.     

Nortriptyline protects testes against germ cell apoptosis and oxidative stress induced by testicular ischaemia/reperfusion

We designed this experiment to evaluate the effects of nortriptyline on testicular injury after torsion/detorsion (T/D). Ninety‐six adult Wistar rats were divided into six groups 16 each in control group (Group 1), sham operated (Group 2), T/D + saline (Group 3), and in groups 4–6; were administered 2, 10 and 20 mg kg^?1, i.p. of nortriptyline 30 and 90 min after torsion respectively. Testicular torsion was created by twisting the right testis 720° in clockwise direction for 1 h. In six rats of each group, tissue MDA level and caspase‐3 activity increased and the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase decreased in compared with control group 4 h after detorsion (P < 0.001). In six rats of each group 24 h after detorsion, histopathological changes and germ cell apoptosis were significantly deteriorated by measuring mean of seminiferous tubules diameters (MSTD) and TUNEL test. Moreover, 30 days after T/D, sperm concentration and motility were examined in rest of rats. Pre‐ and post‐reperfusion nortriptyline could reduce MDA and caspase‐3 levels and normalise antioxidant enzymes activities, dose dependently. Germ cell apoptosis was significantly decreased, and the MSTD, as well as sperm functions, were significantly improved. Inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition pore is probably involved in protective effects of nortriptyline against testicular T/D cell damages.