Abstract
Testicular torsion potentially leads to acute scrotum and testicle loss, and requires prompt surgical intervention to restore testicular blood flow, despite the paradoxical negative effect of reperfusion. While no drug is yet approved for this condition, antioxidants are promising candidates. This study aimed to determine astaxanthin’s (ASX), a potent antioxidant, effect on rat testicular torsion−detorsion injury. Thirty-two prepubertal male Fischer rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 underwent sham surgery. In group 2, the right testis was twisted at 720° for 90 min. After 90 min of reperfusion, the testis was removed. ASX was administered intraperitoneally at the time of detorsion (group 3) and 45 min after detorsion (group 4). Quantification of caspase-3 positive cells and oxidative stress markers detection were determined immunohistochemically, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) value, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were determined by colorimetric assays. The number of apoptotic caspase-3 positive cells and the MDA value were lower in group 4 compared to group 2. A significant increase in the SOD and GPx activity was observed in group 4 compared to groups 2 and 3. We conclude that ASX has a favorable effect on testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.
Highlights
Testicular torsion is a condition of acute scrotum, starting with the rotation of the testis around a longitudinal axis by at least 180 degrees, and followed by an interruption of circulation inside the organ
We conclude that ASX has a favorable effect on testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats
The animals were housed under the conditions following good laboratory practice (GLP), which included a temperature of 20–24 ◦ C, relative humidity 55% +/− 10%, controlled lighting, and light dark cycle of 12 h/12 h
Summary
Testicular torsion is a condition of acute scrotum, starting with the rotation of the testis around a longitudinal axis by at least 180 degrees, and followed by an interruption of circulation inside the organ. The incidence of testicular torsion is 1 in 4000 males younger than 25 years, while the prevalence of testicular torsion out of a total of all acute scrotal conditions is 25–50% [4–6]. It can occur at any age, but most often shows a bimodal distribution, i.e., it most often occurs in infants and boys at puberty [7,8], usually occurring after some stimulus event (e.g., trauma or increased physical activity) or spontaneously [9]. Clinical features of testicular torsion include the acute onset of moderate to severe testicular pain with the possibility of the presence of redness and swelling with a negative cremaster reflex during physical examination. The classic clinical finding is an asymmetrically (transversely) highly laid testis [10,11]
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