The protective effect of darbepoetin alfa on experimental testicular torsion and detorsion injury


AKÇORA B., ALTUĞ M. E., Kontas T., Atik E.

International Journal of Urology, vol.14, no.9, pp.846-850, 2007 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 14 Issue: 9
  • Publication Date: 2007
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/j.1442-2042.2007.01844.x
  • Journal Name: International Journal of Urology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.846-850
  • Keywords: Darbepoetin alfa, Testis, Torsion/detorsion
  • Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Aim: Testicular torsion is a serious urological emergency, usually involving newborns, children, and adolescents which can lead to subfertility and infertility. Prevention of testicular damage caused by torsion is still a clinical and experimental problem. So far many chemicals and drugs have been investigated for decreasing ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in experimental animals. The possible protective effect of darbepoetin alfa, a novel erythropoietic protein, on testicular tissue after I/R injury was examined in this study. Methods: Thirty rats were divided into three groups: sham operation, torsion/detorsion, and torsion/detorsion plus darbepoetin alfa groups. After torsion (2 hours) and detorsion (4 hours), bilateral orchiectomy was performed. Malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and glutathione levels were determined in testicular tissue. Results: Administration of darbepoetin alfa caused a decrease of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels and an increase in glutathione levels compared with the torsion/detorsion group. In addition, histological injury scores were significantly decreased in the treatment group more than the torsion/detorsion group. Conclusion: The results suggest that darbepoetin alfa may be a potential protective agent for preventing testicular injury caused by testis torsion. © 2007 The Japanese Urological Association.