Protective effects of sildenafil administration on testicular torsion/detorsion damage in rats.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed the effectiveness of sildenafil administration during ischemic period in a rat model of testicular torsion/detorsion (T/D).


METHODS
Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n = 10). In those animals that underwent T/D, right testes were rotated 720 degrees for 1 h. Base line group was for basal normal values. Sham operated group was served as a control group. T/D group underwent 1 h testicular torsion. Sildenafil group received sildenafil (0.7 mg/kg) intraperitoneally 30 min after initiation of ischemic period. For measurement of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities, right testes of five animals in each group were excised after 4-h reperfusion. Germ cell apoptosis indices were determined 24 h following detorsion in right testes of remaining five animals in each group.


RESULTS
Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in T/D group were significantly higher versus control and base line groups. Moreover, testicular MDA values in sildenafil group were significantly lower than T/D. There were also significant decreases in catalase and superxide dismutase activities in T/D group compared with control and base line groups. These values were significantly higher in sildenafil group versus T/D. Germ cell apoptosis indices were significantly higher in both groups that experienced T/D in comparison to control and base line groups; however, sildenafil treatment significantly reduced the apoptosis in sildenafil group compared with T/D group.


CONCLUSIONS
Sildenafil administration during testicular torsion decreased ischemia/reperfusion cellular damage. The results of biochemical studies suggest that, reduction of oxidative stress by sildenafil may have a major role in its cytoprotective effects.
Beheshtian
Azadeh
A
Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 13145-784, Tehran, Iran.
Salmasi
Amirali Hassanzadeh
AH
Payabvash
Seyedmehdi
S
Kiumehr
Saman
S
Ghazinezami
Behtash
B
Rahimpour
Sina
S
Tavangar
Seyed Mohammad
SM
Dehpour
Ahmad Reza
AR
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011687:Purines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015427:Reperfusion Injury / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013086:Spermatic Cord Torsion / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000601:surgery; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D013450:Sulfones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase