In vivo acute changes in ATP and glucose concentrations in the testicles of prepubertal rats following unilateral torsion

Abstract

Objective: An experimental study has been conducted to investigate acute changes in testicular concentrations of ATP and glucose following one-hour unilateral 720° testicular torsion. Methods: Sixty prepubertal male Wistar rats were distributed into two groups. Group 1 (Ischemia) animals (n=30) were divided into 5 subgroups (n=6). All animals were subjected to right testicular torsion of 720° lasting one hour followed by detorsion. Testicles were collected and arterial blood samples taken from abdominal aorta at the end of ischemic period and 0.5, 1, 6 and 24 hours following detorsion. The remaining rats (Group 2 - Sham operated) were divided into 5 subgroups and submitted to a similar procedure but detorsion was performed immediately following torsion of the right testis. Results: ATP and glucose concentrations were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in ischemia group as compared to sham group at the end of ischemic period. There was no difference in glycemia when comparing ischemic versus sham-operated rats. Conclusions: Unilateral one-hour testicular torsion causes a decrease in ipsilateral testicular perfusion resulting in decreased testicular concentrations of glucose and ATP. This finding suggests that one-hour unilateral testicular torsion impairs testicular capacity to produce ATP (energy) due to glucose storage depletion and reduced glucose uptake. Similar concentrations of glucose and ATP in testicular tissues of rats submitted to ischemia (Group 1) and sham-operated rats (Group 2) following detorsion implies the possible reversibility of these changes.

Oxidative and antioxidative defense system in testicular torsion/detorsion

“…Similar observations have been reported by previous investigators in experimental animals those underwent testicular torsion for extended periods. [ 11 ] The ischemic condition would impair the mitochondrial electron transport-oxidative phosphorylation resulting in a severe decline in cellular ATP levels[ 11 ] and leaving the mitochondrial carriers in a more fully reduced state. A higher increase of electron leakage from the respiratory chain that, in turn, would react with the residual molecular oxygen entrapped within the inner mitochondrial membrane, thus leading to the formation of superoxide radicals and thereby eventually raising oxidative stress status.…”

“…There is infiltration of neutrophils into the testicular tissue resulting in increased macrophage activity and increased production of super oxide radicals (O 2 -• ). [ 11 ] Ischemia is insufficient blood flow to provide adequate oxygenation. This, in turn, leads to tissue hypoxia (reduced oxygen) or anoxia (absence of oxygen).…”

“…There is infiltration of neutrophils into the testicular tissue resulting in increased macrophage activity and increased production of super oxide radicals (O 2 -• ). [ 11 ]…”

Testicular Torsion in the Scrotum of a Young Canine

“…A ultrassonografia bidimensional associada ao Doppler é um exame indispensável na avaliação de um paciente com escroto agudo, podendo constituir um elemento fundamental no diagnóstico da torção testicular. Sem a imagem do Doppler, a torção parece similar a orquite, um de seus principais diagnósticos diferenciais [8]. Nesse contexto, desempenha um papel importante no diagnóstico desta patologia por demonstrar diminuição ou ausência do fluxo sanguíneo em direção ao testículo afetado, conforme observado neste trabalho.…”

Is subdiaphragmatic aortic cross-clamping a suitable model for spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injury study in rats?

“…Acute hypoxic tissue injury has been studied in a variety of rat tissues [16][17][18][19][20] . When a tissue is deprived of its oxygen supply, the mitochondrial electron transportoxidative phosphorylation sequence is inhibited resulting in decline of cellular levels of ATP and creatine phosphate.…”