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

Beheshtian A, Salmasi AH, Payabvash S, Kiumehr S, Ghazinezami B, Rahimpour S, Tavangar SM, Dehpour AR

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

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 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. 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.

Published 16 April 2008 in World J Urol, 26(2): 197-202.
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