The study was designed to evaluate the effects of metformin on apoptosis and epididymal sperm quality in a rat testicular ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury model. A total of 72 male rats were divided into four groups (n = 18 for each group): group 1 (sham-operated group), group 2 (metformin group), group 3 (torsion/detorsion [T/D] + saline) and group 4 (T/D + 300 mg kg metformin). Testicular torsion was achieved by rotating the right testis 720° in a clockwise direction for 1 hr. Tissue malondialdehyde (MDA) level and caspase-3 activity increased and the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase decreased in comparison with sham-operated group 4 hr after detorsion (p < .001). In six rats of each group 24 hr after detorsion, histopathological changes and germ cell apoptosis were significantly deteriorated by measuring mean of seminiferous tubule diameters (MSTD) and TUNEL test. Moreover, 30 days after T/D, sperm concentration and motility were examined in six animals per group. Metformin pre-treatment reduced MDA and caspase-3 levels and normalised antioxidant enzyme activities 4 hr after detorsion, and germ cell apoptosis was significantly decreased, and the MSTD, as well as sperm functions, was significantly improved. Reduction in oxidative stress and apoptosis may have a major role in cytoprotective effects of metformin.
We designed this experiment to evaluate the effects of nortriptyline on testicular injury after torsion/detorsion (T/D). Ninety-six adult Wistar rats were divided into six groups 16 each in control group (Group 1), sham operated (Group 2), T/D + saline (Group 3), and in groups 4-6; were administered 2, 10 and 20 mg kg , i.p. of nortriptyline 30 and 90 min after torsion respectively. Testicular torsion was created by twisting the right testis 720° in clockwise direction for 1 h. In six rats of each group, tissue MDA level and caspase-3 activity increased and the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase decreased in compared with control group 4 h after detorsion (P < 0.001). In six rats of each group 24 h after detorsion, histopathological changes and germ cell apoptosis were significantly deteriorated by measuring mean of seminiferous tubules diameters (MSTD) and TUNEL test. Moreover, 30 days after T/D, sperm concentration and motility were examined in rest of rats. Pre- and post-reperfusion nortriptyline could reduce MDA and caspase-3 levels and normalise antioxidant enzymes activities, dose dependently. Germ cell apoptosis was significantly decreased, and the MSTD, as well as sperm functions, were significantly improved. Inhibition of mitochondrial permeability transition pore is probably involved in protective effects of nortriptyline against testicular T/D cell damages.
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