Purpose: This study was designed to determine the probable protection mechanisms of nitroglycerin, a widely used medication for treatment of heart failure and angina, in amelioration of testicular ischemia/reperfusion damage.
Methods: 24 adult male rats were randomly divided into three equal groups; with eight rats in each group: Group 1 (Sham) was sham-operated. Group 2 (T_D): 2 h testicular torsion was induced, afterward detorsion was performed and maintained for 2 h. Group 3 (NG): Nitroglycerin was administered immediately after detorsion. Sperm quality parameters such as viability, motility, morphology, and concentration, levels of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC)), and amount of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the blood plasma were examined in each group, thereafter histopathological parameters including germinal epithelial cell thickness (GECT), mean seminiferous tubular diameter (MSTD), Johnson's score and Cosentino's score were assessed.
Results: Testicular T_D significantly reduced sperm viability, motility, and normal morphology, whereas the NG administration remarkably increased the percentage of live, motile, and normal spermatozoa (p < 0.05). Levels of GPx, CAT, and TAC significantly reduced and the MDA level significantly increased in the T_D group in comparison to the sham group (p < 0.05). The NG treated group demonstrated significantly reduced MDA concentrations as well as elevated levels of GPx and CAT compared to the T_D group (p < 0.05). Induction of testicular torsion significantly reduced Johnson's score, GESCT (μm), and MSTD (μm), and remarkably increased the Cosentino's score (P < 0.05), while NG injection significantly increased Johnson's score, GESCT (μm), and MSTD (μm) and reduced the Cosentino's score (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: According to the findings in this research, nitroglycerin was able to protect the testicular tissue from ischemia-reperfusion damage caused by induced torsion/detorsion.
Keywords: Ischemia-reperfusion; Nitroglycerin; Oxidative stress; Sperm parameters; Testicular torsion detorsion.
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