Salutary Effects of N-Acetylcysteine on Apoptotic Damage in a Rat Model of Testicular Torsion

Abstract

Introduction: Numerous studies performed in recent years have shown protective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on cardiac and renal tissue damage following ischemia/reperfusion injury. We assessed the effectiveness of systemic administration of NAC, at a therapeutic dose, in a rat model of a 1-hour 720-degree testicular torsion/detorsion. Materials and Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups, 14 animals in each: group 1 animals underwent sham operation as the control group; group 2 rats underwent torsion/detorsion and received saline injection, and the animals in groups 3, 4, and 5 received intraperitoneal injections of 150 mg/kg NAC 30 min before torsion, after torsion, and after detorsion, respectively. Markers of oxidative stress as well as germ cell apoptosis indices were assessed 4 and 24 h after detorsion, respectively. Results: The apoptosis indices were significantly higher in group 2 as compared with the control group. Four hours after detorsion, the testicular level of lipid peroxidation was significantly increased, and antioxidant enzyme activities were significantly decreased in group 2 as compared with the controls. Administration of NAC either 30 min before or after torsion (groups 3 and 4) significantly improved the germ cell apoptosis indices and oxidant/antioxidant balance. Administration of NAC after detorsion had no significant effect on biochemical markers or germ cell apoptosis. Conclusion: Administration of NAC prior to torsion or detorsion, but not after detorsion, induces protective effects against ischemia/reperfusion injury in a rat model of testicular torsion.

Oxytocin in The Prevention of Injury Due to Testicular Torsion/Detorsion in Rats

“…In this context, for preventing harmful effects of oxidative stress, many antioxidant agents, such as vitamin E, melatonin, retinol, β-carotene, omega-3, resveratrol, allopurinol, melatonin, Nacetylcysteine, zinc aspartate, and caffeic acid phenethyl ester, vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, and acetylcysteine have been used with different success rates. [46][47][48][49][50] Although numerous experimental animal studies have confirmed the efficacy of antioxidants in reducing short-term damaging effects of testicular torsion, different antioxidant agents have been investigated to reduce the short-and long-term reperfusion damage on the testes. Anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties of oxytocin have been reported.…”

A comparison of the effects of N-acetylcysteine and ethyl pyruvate on experimental testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury

“…They demonstrated that systemic administration of NAC inhibited lipid peroxidation during reperfusion of testicular tissue, reducing MDA levels, and preventing histopathological damage. Payabvash et al (20) investigated the effects of NAC on apoptotic damage in a rat model of testicular torsion. They concluded that systemic administration of NAC 30 minutes before torsion or detorsion could increase the level of antioxidant enzymes, as well as reducing the cellular damage manifested by lower levels of MDA and apoptosis compared with the T/D group.…”

Potential Ameliorative Role of N-Acetylcysteine Against Testicular Dysfunction Induced by Titanium Dioxide in Male Albino Rats

“…The protective effect of NAC on testicular damage and dysfunction were explained in studies of Cay et al, 2006;Payabvash et al, 2007;Farombi et al, 2008;Aktas et al, 2010;Duarte et al, 2010. They showed that NAC had good effects on testicular dysfunction but they did not examine testicular gene alterations that examined in our study.…”