Comparison of erythropoietin and sildenafil protective role against ischemia/reperfusion injury of the testis in adult rats

Int Urol Nephrol. 2014 Apr;46(4):731-6. doi: 10.1007/s11255-013-0569-x. Epub 2013 Oct 5.

Abstract

Purpose: Tissue damage in testicular torsion/detorsion is caused not only by the ischemia, but also by the ischemia/reperfusion injury after detorsion. Erythropoietin and sildenafil are considered to protect against ischemia/reperfusion injury. Here, we studied and compared their actions in testicular torsion/detorsion in adult rats.

Methods: Twenty-two adult male Wistar Albino rats were divided into four groups. Rats in group A (n = 5) were sham operated. Rats in group B (n = 5), group C (n = 6) and group D (n = 6) underwent torsion of the right testis and detorsion after 90 min. No pharmaceutical intervention was performed in group B. Erythropoietin (1,000 IU/kg) and sildenafil (0.7 mg/kg) were injected intraperitoneally in groups C and D, respectively, after 60 min of torsion. All animals were killed 24 h after detorsion, and their right testis was extracted, placed into 10 % formalin solution and sent for histopathological examination. The histological changes in the testes were scored according to the four-point grading system proposed by Cosentino et al.

Results: All rats in group A had normal testicular architecture (grade 1). The untreated group B had a mean grade of 3.81 (range 3.65-4). The treated groups C (mean grade 3.24; range 3.05-3.45) and D (2.69, range 2.4-2.9) presented statistically significant better results (lower grades) compared with the untreated group B. Group D had significantly better results (lower grades) than group C.

Conclusions: The intraperitoneal injection of erythropoietin and sildenafil protects against ischemia/reperfusion injury after testicular torsion and detorsion. Sildenafil may have a stronger action than erythropoietin at the doses used in this study.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Erythropoietin / administration & dosage
  • Erythropoietin / therapeutic use*
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Male
  • Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Piperazines / administration & dosage
  • Piperazines / therapeutic use*
  • Purines / administration & dosage
  • Purines / therapeutic use
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Reperfusion Injury / etiology
  • Reperfusion Injury / pathology
  • Reperfusion Injury / prevention & control*
  • Sildenafil Citrate
  • Spermatic Cord Torsion / complications*
  • Sulfones / administration & dosage
  • Sulfones / therapeutic use*
  • Testis / blood supply
  • Testis / pathology*

Substances

  • Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors
  • Piperazines
  • Purines
  • Sulfones
  • Erythropoietin
  • Sildenafil Citrate