title: Salutary effects of N-acetylcysteine on apoptotic damage in a rat model of testicular torsion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Numerous studies performed in recent years have shown protective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on cardiac and renal tissue damage following ischemia/reperfusion injury. We assessed the effectiveness of systemic administration of NAC, at a therapeutic dose, in a rat model of a 1-hour 720-degree testicular torsion/detorsion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups, 14 animals in each: group 1 animals underwent sham operation as the control group; group 2 rats underwent torsion/detorsion and received saline injection, and the animals in groups 3, 4, and 5 received intraperitoneal injections of 150 mg/kg NAC 30 min before torsion, after torsion, and after detorsion, respectively. Markers of oxidative stress as well as germ cell apoptosis indices were assessed 4 and 24 h after detorsion, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The apoptosis indices were significantly higher in group 2 as compared with the control group. Four hours after detorsion, the testicular level of lipid peroxidation was significantly increased, and antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly decreased in group 2 as compared with the controls. Administration of NAC either 30 min before or after torsion (groups 3 and 4) significantly improved the germ cell apoptosis indices and oxidant/antioxidant balance. Administration of NAC after detorsion had no significant effect on biochemical markers or germ cell apoptosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Administration of NAC prior to torsion or detorsion, but not after detorsion, induces protective effects against ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model of testicular torsion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Seyedmehdi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Payabvash
authors.forename: Amirali Hassanzadeh
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Salmasi
authors.forename: Saman
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kiumehr
authors.forename: Seyed Mohammad
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Tavangar
authors.forename: Bardia
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nourbakhsh
authors.forename: Seyed Hamed
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Faghihi
authors.forename: Ahmad Reza
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Dehpour
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013086:Spermatic Cord Torsion / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000111:Acetylcysteine