Evaluation of Combined Effects of Vitamin E and Methylprednisolone in Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury of the Testicle Post Torsion and Detorsion in West African Dwarf Goats

Abstract

Background: To investigate the protective effects of vitamin E and methylprednisolone on ischemia and reperfusion testicular injury after testicular torsion and detorsion in West African dwarf (WAD) goats. Methods: Thirty-two male WAD goats were randomly allocated into four groups (n=8); group A was treated with vitamin E, group B with methylprednisolone, group C with combo-therapy of vitamin E and methylprednisolone and group D was the control. The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), total tissue protein (TTP) and catalase (CAT) were assayed while tissue biopsies were harvested for evaluation of degeneration of germinal cells, desquamation in germinal cells, interstitial edema and haemorrhage. Result: Findings revealed that Vitamin E administered immediately post ligature application significantly (p less than 0.05) decreased MDA level in groups A and C. Vitamin E monotherapy and its combination with methylprednisolone respectively ameliorated more the cellular damage and histological alterations caused by ischaemia and reperfusion injury. This study, therefor, suggests that vitamin E monotherapy and its combination with methylprednisolone is more beneficial in the management of short and long term ischemia/reperfusion injury respectively.