Salutary effects of N-acetylcysteine on apoptotic damage in a rat model of testicular torsion.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

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.

MATERIALS AND 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.

CONCLUSION:

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: Seyedmehdi Payabvash, Amirali Hassanzadeh Salmasi, Saman Kiumehr, Seyed Mohammad Tavangar, Bardia Nourbakhsh, Seyed Hamed Faghihi, Ahmad Reza Dehpour
• Journal: Urologia internationalis (Urol Int) Vol. 79 Issue 3 Pg. 248-54 ( 2007) ISSN: 1423-0399 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 17940358 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Catalase
• Glutathione Peroxidase
• Superoxide Dismutase
• Acetylcysteine

Topics

• Acetylcysteine (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Antioxidants (administration & dosage, pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Catalase (metabolism)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Glutathione Peroxidase (metabolism)
• Lipid Peroxidation (drug effects)
• Male
• Oxidative Stress (drug effects)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Reperfusion Injury (etiology, metabolism, pathology, prevention & control)
• Spermatic Cord Torsion (complications, drug therapy, metabolism, pathology)
• Spermatozoa (drug effects, pathology)
• Superoxide Dismutase (metabolism)
• Testis (drug effects, enzymology, metabolism, pathology)