Metformin decreases testicular damages following ischaemia/reperfusion injury in rats

Abstract

The effects of metformin on a testicular torsion injury in adolescent rat testis after I/R were evaluated in the present study. Forty adolescent rats were divided into five groups with eight rats per group: a control group; a sham‐operated group; an ischaemia group, where torsion was applied for 4 hr and testis was examined immediately after detorsion; an I/R group, where torsion was applied for 4 hr and the testis was examined 4 hr after detorsion; and an I/R + M group, where the metformin (300 mg/kg) administration was added to the identical procedures used for the I/R group. Spermatogenesis, basal membrane integrity and cleaved caspase‐3 expression were assessed. The I/R + M group had a significantly higher Johnsen score than the I/R group (7.9 ± 0.1 vs. 7.5 ± 0.2; p < .001; F‐value = 14.2). Failure of basal membrane integrity was highest in the ischaemia group (45 ± 5) compared to the other groups (control group, 20 ± 5; sham‐operated group, 16.6 ± 2.8), but not different between the I/R + M (31.6 ± 12.5) and the I/R groups (25 ± 3.5). Cleaved caspase‐3 expression was highest in the ischaemia group (73.5 ± 0.7), and significantly lower in the I/R + M group (33.4 ± 0.9) than the I/R group (58.5 ± 0.2; p < .05; F‐value = 7.6). Metformin decreases testicular damage by exerting protection against the harmful effects of I/R on spermatogenesis and alleviating apoptosis in adolescent rat testis.

Effects of platelet‐rich plasma on spermatogenesis and hormone production in an experimental testicular torsion model

“…These conditions which can be seen in the contralateral testicle may affect hormone production and may also cause infertility. Therefore, to date, various pharmacological agents have been used to reduce I/R damage in torsion 7,8 …”

“…Therefore, to date, various pharmacological agents have been used to reduce I/R damage in torsion. 7,8 The PRP is an autologous and endogenous agent which is rich in growth factors and cytokines. It is used, particularly, in regenerative medicine.…”

“…Moreover, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) damage may also exert harmful effects on the contralateral testicle, depending on the duration of ischemia 6 . Therefore, many agents such as N‐acetyl cysteine and metformin have been administered to reduce I/R damage in TT 7,8 . According to limited pre‐clinical studies, administration of pharmacological agents like N‐acetyl cysteine and metformin to the testicle before or immediately after detorsion has a positive effect on reperfusion injury in both the affected testicle and the contralateral testicle 7,8 …”

“…6 Therefore, many agents such as N-acetyl cysteine and metformin have been administered to reduce I/R damage in TT. 7,8 According to limited pre-clinical studies, administration of pharmacological agents like N-acetyl cysteine and metformin to the testicle before or immediately after detorsion has a positive effect on reperfusion injury in both the affected testicle and the contralateral testicle. 7,8 Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a biological instrument rich in growth factors (platelet-derived growth factors, transforming growth factor-beta) and cytokines like interleukin 4 and 6.…”

“…7,8 According to limited pre-clinical studies, administration of pharmacological agents like N-acetyl cysteine and metformin to the testicle before or immediately after detorsion has a positive effect on reperfusion injury in both the affected testicle and the contralateral testicle. 7,8 Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a biological instrument rich in growth factors (platelet-derived growth factors, transforming growth factor-beta) and cytokines like interleukin 4 and 6. 9 It has been popular in regenerative medicine recently and has been shown to have antioxidative effects by activating the release of many antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase and catalase.…”