Salutary effects of N-acetylcysteine on apoptotic damage in a rat model of testicular torsion.
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.
Payabvash
Seyedmehdi
S
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Salmasi
Amirali Hassanzadeh
AH
Kiumehr
Saman
S
Tavangar
Seyed Mohammad
SM
Nourbakhsh
Bardia
B
Faghihi
Seyed Hamed
SH
Dehpour
Ahmad Reza
AR
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
D000975:Antioxidants; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D000111:Acetylcysteine