Dose-dependent protective effect of baicalin against testicular torsion-detorsion in rats

Genetic and histopathological analysis of spermatogenesis after short-term testicular torsion in rats

BACKGROUND

Patients with testicular torsion (TT) may exhibit impaired spermatogenesis from reperfusion injury after detorsion surgery. Alteration in the expressions of spermatogenesis-related genes induced by TT have not been fully elucidated.

METHODS

Eight-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were grouped as follows: group 1 (sham-operated), group 2 (TT without reperfusion) and group 3 (TT with reperfusion). TT was induced by rotating the left testis 720° for 1 h. Testicular reperfusion proceeded for 24 h. Histopathological examination, oxidative stress biomarker measurements, RNA sequencing and RT-PCR were performed.

RESULTS

Testicular ischemia/reperfusion injury induced marked histopathological changes. Germ cell apoptosis was significantly increased in group 3 compared with group 1 and 2 (mean apoptotic index: 26.22 vs. 0.64 and 0.56; p = 0.024, and p = 0.024, respectively). Johnsen score in group 3 was smaller than that in group 1 and 2 (mean: 8.81 vs 9.45 and 9.47 points/tubule; p = 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). Testicular ischemia/reperfusion injury significantly upregulated the expression of genes associated with apoptosis and antioxidant enzymes and significantly downregulated the expression of genes associated with spermatogenesis.

CONCLUSION

One hour of TT followed by reperfusion injury caused histopathological testicular damage. The relatively high Johnsen score indicated spermatogenesis was maintained. Genes associated with spermatogenesis were downregulated in the TT rat model.

IMPACT

How ischemia/reperfusion injury in testicular torsion (TT) affects the expressions of genes associated with spermatogenesis has not been fully elucidated. This is the first study to report comprehensive gene expression profiles using next generation sequencing for an animal model of TT. Our results revealed that ischemia/reperfusion injury downregulated the expression of genes associated with spermatogenesis and sperm function in addition to histopathological damage, even though the duration of ischemia was short.

Testicular torsion in vivo models: Mechanisms and treatments

BACKGROUND

Testicular torsion is a condition in which a testis rotates around its longitudinal axis and twists the spermatic cord. This in turn results in a significant decrease in blood flow and perfusion of testicular tissue. During Testicular torsion, the testicular tissue is affected by ischemia, heat stress, hypoxia, and oxidative and nitrosative stress. The testicular torsion should be considered an emergency condition and surgical intervention (testicular detorsion ) as the sole treatment option in viable cases involves counter-rotation on twisted testes associated, when possible, to orchipexy, in order to avoid recurrence. Possible testicular detorsion side-effects occur due to reperfusion and endothelial cells injury, microcirculation disturbances, and intense germ cells loss.

OBJECTIVES

To discuss testicular torsion surgery-based methods, different time frames for testicular torsion induction, and the associated pathophysiology by emphasizing cellular and molecular events as well as different therapeutic agent applications for testicular torsion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We reviewed all original research and epidemiological papers related to testicular torsion condition.

RESULTS

Testicular torsion causes germ cell necrosis, arrested spermatogenesis, and diminished testosterone levels, with consequent infertility. Among different involved pathophysiological impacts, testicular torsion/detorsion-induced ischemia seems to play the key role by leading the tissue toward other series of events in testis. Numerous studies have used adjuvant antioxidants, calcium channel blockers, anti-inflammatory agents, or vasodilating agents in order to decrease these effects.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, no previously conducted study examined therapeutical agents' beneficial effects post clinical I/R condition in humans. Different agents targeting different pathophysiological conditions were used to ameliorate the ischemia/reperfusion-induced condition in animal models, however, none of the administrated agents were tested in human cases. Although considering testicular detorsion surgery is still the golden method to reverse the testicular torsion condition and the surgical approach is undeniable, the evaluated agents with beneficial effects, need to be investigated furthermore in clinical conditions. Thus, furthermore clinical studies and case reports are required to approve the animal models proposed agents' beneficial impacts.

The effect of taxifolin on experimental testicular ischaemia reperfusion injury in rats. A biochemical and histopathological analysis

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study is to investigate the protective effect of taxifolin (3,5,7,3,4-pentahydroxy flavanone), a strong antioxidant, against testicular I/R injury in rats biochemically and histopathologically.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

50mg/kg taxifolin was administered to taxifolin+testicular torsion-detorsion (TTTD, n-10) group of Albino Wistar male rats by oral gavage. Distilled water .5ml as a solvent was administered to testicular torsion-detorsion (TTD, n-10) and Healthy Control (SG, n-10) groups using the same method. An hour after the administration of taxifolin and distilled water, anaesthesia (ketamine 60mg/kg) was administered to all animal groups. TTD and TTTD group animals were subjected to testicular torsion at 720 degrees for four hours during anaesthesia. At the end of this period, testicular detorsion was applied and perfusion was allowed for four hours. Sham operation was applied to SG group.

RESULTS

Our biochemical experiment results showed that the amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) in testicular tissue of TTD group presented a significant increase compared to SG and TTTD groups whereas total glutathione (tGSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels decreased. In addition, while TTD group presented severe histopathological damage in germinal epithelium cell and seminiferous tubule, mild damage was observed in TTTD group.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of our experiment indicate that taxifolin could be useful in the treatment of testicular I/R damage.

Topiramate: A novel protective agent against ischemia reperfusion-induced oxidative injury after testicular torsion/detorsion

Testicular torsion is a common urologic emergency and one of the causes of genital injury in males. Hence, early diagnosis and treatment are necessary to prevent testicular damage and infertility. It has been proved that topiramate (TPM) a medication used to treat epilepsy and prevent migraines has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the influence of TPM on ischemia/reperfusion injury following testicular torsion/detorsion (T/D). Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into three groups (n = 12 for each group) including sham operated, T/D + vehicle, T/D + TPM(100 mg/kg, 30 min before detorsion). Testicular torsion was induced for 1 h by rotating right testis 720⁰ in the clockwise direction. After 5 h of reperfusion the testis was removed and histological changes and biochemical markers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) were evaluated. MDA level significantly increased and GSH level significantly decreased after T/D compared to the sham group (p < 0.001). Moreover, after inducing testicular T/D, GPx, CAT and SOD activity were decreased, whereas administration of TPM significantly increased GSH level and GPx, CAT and SOD activities and decreased MDA level in testis tissue as compared to T/D group. After induction of T/D, histopathological evaluations also revealed severe testicular damages which were improved by TPM administration. Our results indicate that TPM had an ameliorating impact on ischemia/reperfusion injury in the rat model of testicular T/D. This protective effect was most likely induced by anti-oxidative properties of this drug.

[rotective effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes against testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the protective effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)-derived exosomesagainst testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats.

METHODS

Rat BMSCs were isolated, cultured and identified in theprimary culture. The exosomes were extracted from the BMSCs and characterized using nanoparticle tracking analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and Western blotting. Twenty-four healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into shamoperation group, testicular IRI with saline treatment group and IRI with exosome treatment group. The contralateral testes ofthe rats were collected for pathological observation, aseessment of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and detection of HMGB1, caspases-3 and cleaved caspase-3 expressions using Western blotting.

RESULTS

We successfullyobtained exosomes from rat BMSCs. Testicular IRI significantly impaired testicular spermatogenesis, which was markedlyimproved by treatment with the exosomes (P < 0.05). Testicular IRI also caused significant increase in the protein expression ofHMGB1, caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 in the testicular tissue, and treatment with the exosomes obviously amelioratedthese changes (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

BMSCs-derived exosomes protects against testicular IRI due to the anti-oxidant, antiinflammatory and anti-apoptosis activities of the exosomes.

Capsaicin protects against testicular torsion injury through mTOR-dependent mechanism

SCOPE

Testicular torsion and subsequent release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) can cause infertility in adults. Oxidative stress following testicular torsion plays an important role in the ýonset and development of apoptotic cell death through dysregulation of the cellular signaling pathways. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of capsaicin, a bioactive composition present in red peppers, has already been exploited for treatment of the cancer and pain relief. In present work, we evaluated the role of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) in antioxidant effect of capsaicin against reperfusion injury following testicular torsion.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats weighing 200-220 g were randomly assigned into four major groups: (i) a sham operated group, (ii) a testicular torsion (TT) group, (iii) three groups treated with different doses of capsaicin (TT + 100, 500 and 1000 μg/ml Cap), and (iv) three groups of healthy rats treated with different doses of capsaicin (100, 500 and 1000 μg/ml). Western blotting assay was used to examine the anti-apoptotic effects of capsaicin in testicular cells following torsion. H&E and TUNEL methods were used to evaluate testicular morphology and apoptosis activity.

RESULTS

Compared to control group, phosphorylation of mTOR was significantly increased in the TT groups. Capsaicin administration remarkably decreased the phosphorylation of mTOR at the highest dose (P < 0.05). Capsaicin decreased apoptosis and preserved tubular morphology in testes.

CONCLUSION

Our results showed that antioxidant properties of capsaicin minimizes cell death and reperfusion injury following testicular torsion.

The ameliorative effects of Ginkgo biloba on apoptosis, LH-R expression and sperm morphology anomaly in testicular torsion and detorsion

Torsion/detorsion (T/D) induces testicular damages in both germinal epithelial and interstitial tissues. Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) exerts antioxidant and free radical scavenger. We investigated the effect of GbE on testicular tissues, Leydig and sperm cells in rats injured with T/D. Twenty-eight Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned into four groups (Control, GbE, Treatment: T/D+GbE, T/D). T/D performed to the rats in torsion, treatment received GbE (50 mg/kg) 1 hr before T/D, GbE group received only GbE (50 mg/kg) and control was defined as sham group. After T/D, the testes along with epididymis were removed and processed. LH-R expression, apoptosis, sperm morphology and histopathological damage scores were determined for each group. Testicular T/D caused significant increases in apoptosis and sperm morphology anomaly, and a significant decrease in Johnsen's testicular biopsy scores, LH-R expression of Leydig cell and normal sperm cell count. GbE ameliorated testicular histopathology and caused significant increases in LH-R expression, normal sperm cell count in the treated and particularly GbE group. Consequently, GbE may prevent testicular injury and enhance Leydig and sperm cell activity following both T/D and normal situation owing to its antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, free radical scavenger and anti-inflammatory effects.

FOXO1 targeting by capsaicin reduces tissue damage after testicular torsion

Testicular torsion-related oxidative stress causes a sequential chain of DNA damage, lipid peroxidation and cell death that leads to the derangement in the sperm functions and infertility. Capsaicin that has been applied for pain relief and cancer prevention possesses antioxidant properties which can be exploited to confer cell survival under ischaemic testis damage. Wistar male rats weighing 150-200 g were randomly divided into four groups: (i) sham group (all procedures except torsion of testis), (ii) ischaemia group (TT group), (iii) three TT groups treated with different dose of capsaicin (TT + different doses of Cap) and (iv) three control groups treated with different doses of capsaicin (100, 500 and 1000 ug/ml). Capsaicin administration significantly decreased the expression of pro-apoptotic factors and increased the expression of anti-apoptotic factors. Likewise, the expression of FOXO1 is significantly increased by higher doses of the capsaicin. Histological assessment by H&E and TUNEL method also exhibited an improved testicular morphology and decreased apoptosis in testes. These results suggested clinical potential for capsaicin in treatment of testicular torsion by targeting FOXO1 and apoptotic pathways.

High doses of baicalin induces kidney injury and fibrosis through regulating TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway

Baicalin is a major flavonoid compound purified from Scutellariae radix, which has been described as an herb in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Previous studies have suggested baicalin possessed extensive anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, anti-viral properties. However, up to known, there have been no reports of safety and toxicity in the rats following oral administration of baicalin. In this present study, we showed the first evidence that treatment of baicalin (400, 800 and 1600mg/kg/day) induced significantly kidney injury and fibrosis. The collagen synthesis and fibrosis-related protein expression were increased in the kidney of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats after treatment with high doses of baicalin. We further investigated the potential molecular mechanism of baicalin-mediated renal fibrosis and revealed that baicalin activated the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad signaling pathway in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, we also observed that baicalin induced Smad3 interaction with transcriptional coactivator p300 accompanying with increment of Smad3 acetylation. Our results may contribute to better understanding of the future pharmacological and toxicological studies of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi and its active compounds on the human disease.