The Protective Effect Of Dexamethasone On The Testis Following Testicular Torsion/detorsion In Rats

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of dexamethasone on the testis following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats.Methods: Twenty-four healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided equally into three groups : A group (testicular torsion +saline), B group (testicular torsion +dexamethasone) and C group (control). Animals were submitted to unilateral 720?testicular torsion, then detorsion were done in two hours. 24 hours later, the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT), myeloperoxidase(MPO) and the level of malonic diethylaldehyde(MDA) were detected with spectrophotometer. The evidence of germ cell apoptosis was detected by the TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling(TUNEL)technique. The histological changes were observed by light microscope.Results: Compared with C group, the MDA level N MPO activity and the apoptosis index of germ cell of the other two groups increased significantly( P <0.05), SOD activity and CAT activity reduced predominantly( P <0.05), leukocytic infiltrating increased significantly in testicular subtunica of the other two groups with edema in testicular interstitial. Compared with A group, SOD activity and CAT activity increased predominantly( P <0.01), the MDA level , MPO activity and the apoptosis index of germ cell of B group reduced significantly(P<0.01), leukocytic infiltrating reduced significantly in testicular subtunica of B group without edema in testicular interstitial.Conclusion: Dexamethasone have protective effect on the testis by attenuating ischemia/reperfusion damage and reducing apoptosis of germ cell following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats.