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Protective effects of sildenafil administration on testicular torsion/detorsion damage in rats

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Abstract

Purpose

We assessed the effectiveness of sildenafil administration during ischemic period in a rat model of testicular torsion/detorsion (T/D).

Material and methods

Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n = 10). In those animals that underwent T/D, right testes were rotated 720° 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.

Conclusion

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

None of the authors have any conflicts of interest in connection with this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 13145-784, Tehran, Iran

    Azadeh Beheshtian, Amirali Hassanzadeh Salmasi, Seyedmehdi Payabvash, Saman Kiumehr, Behtash Ghazinezami, Sina Rahimpour & Ahmad Reza Dehpour

  2. Multiple Sclerosis Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA

    Azadeh Beheshtian

  3. Division of Pediatric Urology, James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Amirali Hassanzadeh Salmasi

  4. Department of Pathology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

    Seyed Mohammad Tavangar

Authors
  1. Azadeh Beheshtian
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  2. Amirali Hassanzadeh Salmasi
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  3. Seyedmehdi Payabvash
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  8. Ahmad Reza Dehpour
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Correspondence to Ahmad Reza Dehpour.

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Beheshtian, A., Salmasi, A.H., Payabvash, S. et al. Protective effects of sildenafil administration on testicular torsion/detorsion damage in rats. World J Urol 26, 197–202 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-008-0243-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-008-0243-6

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