The protective effects of vasopressin on experimental testicular torsion-detorsion in male rats

Abstract

Testicular torsion is an urgent condition in pediatric urology. Testicular torsion refers to testicular rotation around its vascular axis (spermatic cord), which results in obstruction and stoppage of blood flow and eventually the loss of living tissue (infarction). Ischemic condition causes damage to the testes due to the blood flow disruption. Furthermore, reperfusion of blood flow after ischemia (detorsion) can exacerbate the damage to the testis. Vasopressin as an antidiuretic hormone (ADH), is a pituitary hormone found in most mammals including humans. It is mainly made in supra-optic nuclei. Vasopressin is a polypeptide hormone with nine amino acids and is similar to the oxytocin hormone. In an experimental study, we found that vasopressin possesses intracellular mechanisms similar to the protective preconditioning mechanism which can reduce damages caused by ischemia-reperfusion.

The Protective Effect of Vasopressin on Sperm Parameters and Histopathology of Testicular and Epididymal Tissue in a Rat Model of Testicular Torsion-Detorsion

“…AVP is structurally similar to the oxytocin, and this molecular similarity can explain their relative functional similarity [4]. Previous studies have revealed the protective effect of AVP against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in various tissues [4,23]. Therefore, the present study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of AVP on semen criteria, testicular and epidiymal histopathological changes in experimental testicular TD male rat.…”

“…53, No. 3 (2022) MOHAMMAD A. FAZILATPOUR et al [4]. The testicular torsion could lead to loss of the living tissue through reduction or even complete stoppage of blood flow to the testicles and other contents of the scrotum.…”

“…Reestablishment of blood flow following testicular detorsion increases blood flow to ischemic tissue and intensifies the production of ROS, activation of inflammatory cells and mediators and finally cell death and apoptosis [11]. Although standard treatment for testicular TD injury is surgery, some interventions have recently been suggested to reduce injury; including ROS scavenging agents, anti-inflammatory agents, natural products, and synthetic drugs [4]. Antioxidants are able to protect cells and tissues against various diseases particularly disorders caused by ROS [12][13][14][15][16].…”

“…Arginine Vasopressin, or antidiuretic hormone (ADH), is a non-A peptide hormone which is released from the posterior pituitary of mammals, including humans. AVP is structurally similar to the oxytocin, and this molecular similarity can explain their relative functional similarity [4]. Previous studies have revealed the protective effect of AVP against ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in various tissues [4,23].…”

“…Then, the samples were embedded in paraffin, cut into 4 μm thick, and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E), respectively. Finally, the sections were examined under an optical microscope (Olympus Company, Japan) at a magnification of 40× [4].…”