Effects of ischaemic post‐conditioning on the early and late testicular damage after experimental testis ischaemia–reperfusion

Abstract

SUMMARYIschaemic post-conditioning (IPostC) might represent an innovative surgical approach to protect organs from ischaemia and reperfusion (I/R) injury. We investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the contrasting effects of IPostC on the early and late damage induced by testicular I/R injury. Testis I/R was induced by occluding the right testicular vessels using a clip. Male rats were divided into the following groups: sham, I/R and I/R + IPostC. In the I/R group, the clip was removed after 60 min of ischaemia, and reperfusion was allowed for 30 min, 1 and 30 days. In the I/R + IPostC group, three cycles of 30-sec reperfusion and 30-sec ischaemia were performed after 60 min of ischaemia and then reperfusion followed up for 30 min, 1 and 30 days. Following 30-min reperfusion, there was an increase in mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in I/R rats; after 1 day of reperfusion, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-a and nuclear factor-jB (NF-jB) expression were significantly increased; IjB-a expression reduced; and a marked damage in both testes was observed. IPostC inhibited MAPKs, cytokines and NF-jB expression, augmented IjB-a expression and decreased histological damage in testes subjected to I/R. After 30 days of reperfusion, I/R injury activated the apoptosis machinery, caused severe histological damage and reduced spermatogenic activity. By contrast, IPostC did not modify the apoptotic markers, the histological alterations as well as spermatogenic activity following 30 days of reperfusion. Our data demonstrate that IPostC protects the testis from the early damage induced by I/R injury, but it does not protect against the late damage.

Protective effects of thymoquinone on experimental testicular ischaemia-reperfusion injury: an apoptotic, proliferative and biochemical study

“…Similar findings have been observed in previous studies (Minutoli et al, 2014;Parlaktas et al, 2014a,b;Yulug et al, 2014). In our study, the application of TQ was shown to decrease testicular dysfunction and histopathological changes, as reported in previous studies (Gokce et al, 2011;Kanter, 2011b).…”

Testicular torsion–detorsion and potential therapeutic treatments: A possible role for ischemic postconditioning

“…Additionally, Minutoli et al . showed that IPostC protects the testis from the early damage induced by I‐R injury, but it failed to protect against the later damage . Minutoli et al .…”

“…Minutoli et al . investigated the role of several molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of IPostC on testicular I‐R injury . IPostC inhibited mitogen‐activated protein kinases, inflammatory cytokines (IL‐6 and TNF‐α) and NF‐κB expression, augmented IκB‐α expression and decreased histological damage in testes subjected to I‐R …”

“…84 Additionally, Minutoli et al showed that IPostC protects the testis from the early damage induced by I-R injury, but it failed to protect against the later damage. 85 Minutoli et al investigated the role of several molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of IPostC on testicular I-R injury. 85 IPostC inhibited mitogen-activated protein kinases, inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-a) and NF-jB expression, augmented IjB-a expression and decreased histological damage in testes subjected to I-R. 85 The various time intervals of IPostC have different protective effects on testicular I-R injury.…”

“…85 Minutoli et al investigated the role of several molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of IPostC on testicular I-R injury. 85 IPostC inhibited mitogen-activated protein kinases, inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-a) and NF-jB expression, augmented IjB-a expression and decreased histological damage in testes subjected to I-R. 85 The various time intervals of IPostC have different protective effects on testicular I-R injury. Our previous data showed that the IPostC protocol that consisted of three cycles of 30-s reperfusion-30-s ischemia showed the most effective protection in the testis.…”