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Akhigbe R, Odetayo A, Akhigbe T, Hamed M, Ashonibare P. Pathophysiology and management of testicular ischemia/reperfusion injury: Lessons from animal models. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27760. [PMID: 38694115 PMCID: PMC11058307 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 02/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Testicular torsion is a urological emergency that involves the twisting of the spermatic cord along its course. Compelling pieces of evidence have implicated oxidative stress-sensitive signaling in pathogenesis of testicular I/R injury. Although, surgical detorsion is the mainstay management; blockade of the pathways involved in the pathogenesis may improve the surgical outcome. Experimental studies using various testicular I/R models have been reported in a bid to explore the mechanisms associated with testicular I/R and evaluate the benefits of potential therapeutic measures; however, most are limited by their shortcomings. Thus, this review was intended to describe the details of the available testicular I/R models as well as their merits and drawbacks, the pathophysiological basis and consequences of testicular I/R, and the pharmacological agents that have being proposed to confer testicular benefits against testicular I/R. This provides an understanding of the pathophysiological events and available models used in studying testicular I/R. In addition, this research provides evidence-based molecules with therapeutic potentials as well as their mechanisms of action in testicular I/R.
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Affiliation(s)
- R.E. Akhigbe
- Department of Physiology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
- Reproductive Biology and Toxicology Research Laboratory, Oasis of Grace Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - A.F. Odetayo
- Reproductive Biology and Toxicology Research Laboratory, Oasis of Grace Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
- Department of Physiology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria
| | - T.M. Akhigbe
- Reproductive Biology and Toxicology Research Laboratory, Oasis of Grace Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
- Breeding and Plant Genetics Unit, Department of Agronomy, Osun State University, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - M.A. Hamed
- Reproductive Biology and Toxicology Research Laboratory, Oasis of Grace Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
- The Brainwill Laboratory, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
| | - P.J. Ashonibare
- Department of Physiology, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria
- Reproductive Biology and Toxicology Research Laboratory, Oasis of Grace Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria
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Dehdari Ebrahimi N, Shojaei-Zarghani S, Taherifard E, Dastghaib S, Parsa S, Mohammadi N, Sabet Sarvestani F, Moayedfard Z, Hosseini N, Safarpour H, Sadeghi A, Azarpira N, Safarpour AR. Protective effects of melatonin against physical injuries to testicular tissue: A systematic review and meta-analysis of animal models. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1123999. [PMID: 36798664 PMCID: PMC9927015 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1123999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Modern societies face infertility as a global challenge. There are certain environmental conditions and disorders that damage testicular tissue and may cause male infertility. Melatonin, as a potential antioxidant, may protect testicular tissue. Therefore, we conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of melatonin in animal models against physical, heat, and ischemic damage to the testicular tissue. METHODS PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched to identify animal trials evaluating the protective effect of melatonin therapy on rodent testicular tissue when it is exposed to physical, thermal, ischemic, or hypobaric oxygen stress. Random-effect modeling was used to estimate the standardized mean difference and 95% confidence intervals based on the pooled data. Additionally, the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) tool was used to assess the risk of bias. The study protocol was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022354599). RESULTS A total of 41 studies were eligible for review out of 10039 records. Studies employed direct heat, cryptorchidism, varicocele, torsion-detorsion, testicular vascular occlusion, hypobaric hypoxia, ischemia-reperfusion, stress by excessive or restraint activity, spinal cord injury, and trauma to induce stress in the subjects. The histopathological characteristics of testicular tissue were generally improved in rodents by melatonin therapy. Based on the pooled data, sperm count, morphology, forward motility, viability, Johnsen's biopsy score, testicular tissue glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase levels were higher in the melatonin treatment rodent arms. In contrast, the malondialdehyde level in testicular tissue was lower in the treatment rodent arms. The included studies suffered from a high risk of bias in most of the SYRCLE domains. CONCLUSION This study concludes that melatonin therapy was associated with improved testicular histopathological characteristics, reproductive hormonal panel, and tissue markers of oxidative stress in male rodents with physical, ischemic, and thermal testicular injuries. In this regard, melatonin deserves scientific investigations as a potential protective drug against rodent male infertility. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022354599.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sara Shojaei-Zarghani
- Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ehsan Taherifard
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sanaz Dastghaib
- Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Shima Parsa
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Nasim Mohammadi
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Zahra Moayedfard
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Cell Therapy, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Nima Hosseini
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Heidar Safarpour
- Health Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Alireza Sadeghi
- Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Negar Azarpira
- Transplant Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- *Correspondence: Negar Azarpira,
| | - Ali Reza Safarpour
- Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Salama A, Abdelnaby EA, Emam IA, Fathi M. Single melatonin injection enhances the testicular artery hemodynamic, reproductive hormones, and semen parameters in German shepherd dogs. BMC Vet Res 2022; 18:403. [PMCID: PMC9664593 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03487-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractThis study aimed to determine the effects of melatonin administration on testicular vascular perfusion in relation to steroid hormones and semen characteristics in dogs. The study included 12 normospermic German shepherd dogs (weighed 35 ± 0.5 kg and aged 4 ± 0.5 years). Males received a single melatonin administration (melatonin dimethyl sulfoxide + corn oil via subcutaneous route; MEL; n = 6), while the rest of the animals served as controls (dimethyl sulfoxide + corn oil; Control; n = 6). Males were subjected to routine examination on days -15, 0, 15, 30, 45, and 60. All examined dogs were subjected to Doppler screening, semen collection, and blood sampling. The MEL group showed a significant (P < 0.05) elevation in semen volume, concentration, percentage of sperm motility, and total sperm × 106 / ejaculate compared to other control males. Doppler indices as resistance (RI) and pulsatility (PI) indices declined (P < 0.05) from D 30 (1.02 ± 0.01) until day 60 (0.87 ± 0.02) of treatment. In MEL males, the peak systolic point of velocity (PSV; cm/sec) of the testicular artery elevated (P < 0.05) on day 60 (20.15 ± 0.99) compared to its value on day 0 (17.39 ± 1.84). On D 60, the levels of testosterone (T), estradiol 17-ß (E2), and nitric oxide (NO) elevated (P < 0.05). A negative correlation was detected between testicular volume, scrotal circumference (SC), T levels, Doppler indices, and velocities. In conclusion, single melatonin administration could improve testicular vascularization via increasing Doppler velocities and intratesticular colored areas. In addition, it could improve semen picture and steroids (T and E2) and nitric oxide.
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Ahmed MAE, Ahmed AAE, El Morsy EM. Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid prevents testicular torsion/detorsion injury in rats by modulating 5-LOX/LTB4 and p38-MAPK/JNK/Bax/Caspase-3 pathways. Life Sci 2020; 260:118472. [PMID: 32971106 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Testicular torsion/detorsion (T/D) is a critical medical condition that necessitates prompt surgical intervention to avoid testicular atrophy and infertility. The use of natural compounds may protect against the associated detrimental oxidative stress and inflammatory responses. Interestingly, acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA), the main active constituent of Boswellia resin, has shown potent inhibitory effect on 5-lipoxygenase enzyme which converts arachidonic acid into inflammatory mediators. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the protective mechanisms by which AKBA may protect against testicular T/D injury in rats. MAIN METHODS Male rats were randomly distributed into five groups: Sham, AKBA (50 mg/kg, p.o.), unilateral testicular T/D, AKBA at two dose levels (25 or 50 mg/kg for 15 successive days) followed by T/D. Histological examination and Johnsen's score were performed to assess testicular injury and perturbations in spermatogenesis. Biochemical parameters included markers of testicular function (serum testosterone), oxidant/antioxidant status (malondialdehyde, glutathione), inflammation (5-lipoxygenase, leukotriene-B4, myeloperoxidase, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6), apoptosis (Bax, Bcl2, caspase-3), DNA integrity (quantitative DNA fragmentation, DNA laddering, PARP-1), energy production (ATP), in addition to p38 MAPK and JNK protein expression. KEY FINDINGS In a dose dependent manner, AKBA significantly inhibited testicular T/D-induced upregulation of 5-LOX/LTB4 and p38-MAPK/JNK/Bax pathways and their associated downstream inflammatory and apoptotic cascades. These effects were accompanied with ATP replenishment and DNA preservation, resulting ultimately in salvage of the testis. SIGNIFICANCE Unprecedentedly, the present mechanistic study revealed the pathways by which AKBA may inhibit testicular T/D injury and offered a novel protective approach that may attenuate the severity of this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maha A E Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Manufacturing, Misr University for Science and Technology (MUST), 6th of October City, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Amany A E Ahmed
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Ein Helwan, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Engy M El Morsy
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Ein Helwan, Cairo, Egypt
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Kazemi-Darabadi S, Asadpour R, Shahbazfar AA, Alizadeh S. Effects of L-carnitine and betamethasone on ischemia-reperfusion injuries and sperm parameters following testicular torsion in a rat model. VETERINARY RESEARCH FORUM : AN INTERNATIONAL QUARTERLY JOURNAL 2019; 10:125-132. [PMID: 31338145 PMCID: PMC6626646 DOI: 10.30466/vrf.2019.74767.2002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Testicular torsion is a consequence of spermatic cord twisting which causes progressive damage to the structure of the testis and reduces sperm quality and usually results in infertility. In the present study, with the assumption of the protective effects of L-carnitine and betamethasone against ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injuries, their effects on twisted testicles were evaluated and compared. Twenty Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups and used in this study. Except for the Sham (S) group, testicular IR was induced surgically in three other groups, including Control (C), Betamethasone (BM), and L-carnitine (LC) groups. Betamethasone and L-carnitine were injected before detorsion in the BM and LC groups, respectively. After twelve hours of reperfusion, the testicles were detached, and prepared for sperm parameters evaluation such as sperm count, motility, viability, morphology, and chromatin quality, and histopathologic evaluations, including mean seminiferous tubular diameter (MSTD), germinal epithelial cell thickness (GECT), and Johnsen's mean testicular biopsy scoring (MTBS). The MSTD, GECT, and healthy sperms in the C group were significantly lower than the other groups, while the BM and LC groups were significantly different from others in MTBS. The number of sperms and sperm motility in the BM group was significantly higher than the C group. Sperm viability in the BM and LC groups were significantly higher than the C group. The results of this study showed that both L-carnitine and betamethasone similarly can be effective in treating testicular IR injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siamak Kazemi-Darabadi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Reza Asadpour
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amir Ali Shahbazfar
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sajjad Alizadeh
- Graduate Student, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
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Pathological effect of arterial ischaemia and venous congestion on rat testes. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5422. [PMID: 28710488 PMCID: PMC5511218 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-05880-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Many studies on various organs have concluded that venous congestion (VC) causes severe organ dysfunction with elevation of oxidative stress relative to that of arterial ischaemia (AI). However, a comparison of the pathological effects of AI and VC on the testes has not been conducted. In this study, models of AI and VC and their reperfusion in rat testes, respectively, were developed and analysed. Testicular arteries or veins were interrupted for 6 h, re-perfused and kept for 4 weeks; the effects on the testes were then evaluated. Severe spermatogenic disturbances were observed at 4 weeks after reperfusion in AI but not in VC. At 6 h after blood flow interruption, oxidative stress was significantly increased and germ cells were severely damaged in AI compared with those in VC. RT-PCR analyses revealed that haem oxygenase-1, which exhibits anti-oxidative effects, and vascular endothelial growth factor-A, which exhibits vasculogenic effects, were significantly increased in VC but not in AI. Surprisingly, the results of our experiment in rat testes differed from those of experiments in previous studies performed in other organs. Oxidative stress in testes was more easily elevated by AI than it was by VC, explainable by the different experimental conditions.
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Mirhoseini M, Talebpour Amiri F, Karimpour Malekshah AA, Rezanejad Gatabi Z, Ghaffari E. Protective effects of melatonin on testis histology following acute torsion-detorsion in rats. Int J Reprod Biomed 2017. [DOI: 10.29252/ijrm.15.3.141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
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