Effects of lupeol on experimental testicular ischemiareperfusion damage in rats

Infertility and organ loss are possible outcomes of testicular torsion, a urological emergency. This study aimed to demonstrate the impact of lupeol on testicular ischemia/reperfusion damage.

Thirty adult male Spraque-Dawley rats were randomized into five groups: Control (C), Lupeol (L), Ischemia (Isc), Treatment 1 (T1), and Treatment 2 (T2). In the study groups, detorsion was applied to the left testicles by creating a 720-degree testicular torsion for 2 h. Additionally, in the T1 and T2 groups, 100 mg/kg of lupeol was injected intraperitoneally 30 minutes before and immediately after detorsion. At the sixth hour,aBACKGROUND: Infertility and organ loss are potential consequences of testicular torsion, a urological emergency. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of lupeol on testicular ischemia-reperfusion damage.

Thirty adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups: Control (C), Lupeol (L), Ischemia (Isc),Treatment 1 (T1), and Treatment 2 (T2). In the study groups, detorsion was applied to the left testicles following the induction of 720-degree testicular torsion for two hours. In the T1 and T2 groups, 100 mg/kg of lupeol was administered intraperitoneally 30 minutes before and immediately after detorsion. At the sixth hour, blood and testicular tissue samples were collected from each rat. Measurements included serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), tissue glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and caspase-3 levels. Histopathological analysis was performed to assess the Johnsen Tubular Biopsy Score (JTBS).

Levels of caspase-3 (2.74+-0.32), MDA (1.71+-0.26), IL-6 (4.92+-0.57), and TNF-α (113.18+-29.77) were elevated in Group Isc compared to Group C and showed a significant reduction in Group T2 (2+-0.67, 1.16+-0.36, 3.95+-0.17, and 106.13+-12.49, respectively) and particularly in Group T1 (1.65+-0.50, 0.95+-0.143, 80+-0.35, and 104.86+-8.42, respectively) (p=0.001). However, while TNF-αlevels decreased in both treatment groups, the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.768). GSH levels decreased in Group Isc(140.63+-25.71) but increased in Group T2 (211.58+-95.05) (p=0.753) and particularly in Group T1 (219.9+-48.21)(p=0.078). The JTBS was lowest in Group Isc (7.67+-0.25). However, improvements were observed in both treatment groups (8.93+-0.16 and 8.82+-0.22, respectively) (p=0.001).

This study, the first to use lupeol in an experimental testicular torsion model, demonstrated its antioxidant, antiinflammatory, anti-apoptotic, histopathological damage-reducing, and protective effects. blood and testicular tissue samples were obtained from each rat. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), tissue glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and caspase-3 measurements were also obtained. Histopathological analysis was used to evaluate the Johnsen Tubular Biopsy Score (JTBS).

Caspase-3 (2,74+-0,32), MDA (1,71+-0,26), IL-6 (4,92+-0,57), and TNF-ɑ (113,18+-29,77) values increased in Group Isc compared to Group C and significantly decreased in T2 (2+-0,67, 1,16+-0,36, 3,95+-0,17, and 106,13+-12,49) and particularly T1 groups (1,65+-0,50, 0,95+-0,143, 80+-0,35, and 104,86+-8,42) (p=0.001). However, TNF-α levels decreased in both treatment groups, with no statistically significant difference (p=0.768). GSH levels decreased in Group Isc (140,63+-25,71) but increased in T2 (211,58+-95,05) (p=0.753) and particularly in T1 groups (219,9+-48,21) (p=0.078). JTBS was lowest in Group Isc (7,67+-0,25). Improvement was observed in both treatment groups (8,93+-0,16 and 8,82+-0,22) (p=0.001).

This study, which is the first to use lupeol in an experimental testicular torsion model, demonstrated its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and histopathological damage-reducing and protective effects.