Glucocorticoid hormone can suppress apoptosis of rat testicular germ cells induced by testicular ischemia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of dexamethasone, a potent synthetic glucocorticoid hormone, on apoptosis of testicular germ cells and vascular neutrophil adhesion after repair of testicular torsion in rats.


METHODS
Controlled laboratory study.


METHODS
Department of Urology, Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan.


METHODS
Fifty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats.


METHODS
Dexamethasone, 10 mg/kg of body weight.


METHODS
Testicular germ-cell apoptosis (percentages of apoptotic tubules and apoptotic cells) and vascular neutrophil adhesion were assessed by using DNA nick-end labeling and the endothelial-neutrophil adhesion score, respectively.


RESULTS
Intravenous administration of dexamethasone at repair of 90-minute testicular torsion significantly inhibited testicular germ-cell apoptosis and vascular neutrophil adhesion. This inhibition was suppressed by intravenous injection of mifepristone, a glucocorticoid-receptor antagonist.


CONCLUSIONS
Glucocorticoids can be administered for torsion in addition to conventional torsion repair.
Yazawa
H
H
Yamagata University School of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan.
Sasagawa
I
I
Suzuki
Y
Y
Nakada
T
T
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006727:Hormone Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D007511:Ischemia / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000494:pharmacology; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000166:cytology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013086:Spermatic Cord Torsion / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply
D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006727:Hormone Antagonists; D015735:Mifepristone; D003907:Dexamethasone