Naringenin improves testicular reproductive function in rats with testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury.

PURPOSE: The significant change during testicular ischemia-reperfusion is the generation of high levels of reactive oxygen species, which trigger impairment of spermatogenic cells. Naringenin, a plant-derived flavonoid, can alleviate oxidative stress. The current study was conducted to examine the possible protective ability of naringenin on testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury.

METHODS

Three groups of male rats were created: group 1 (sham operation), group 2 (left testicular ischemia-reperfusion), and group 3 (treatment with naringenin after left testicular ischemia-reperfusion). Testicular ischemia of rats was induced by 2 hours of left testicular torsion, and subsequently testicular detorsion was performed for reperfusion. Rat testes of three groups were taken to analyze nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activity, which contributes to the production of reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde content (an index of reactive oxygen species), and testicular reproductive function.

RESULTS

The NADPH oxidase activity and malondialdehyde content were higher in ipsilateral testes, but testicular reproductive function was lower in testicular ischemia-reperfusion group than in sham group. Conversely, NADPH oxidase activity and malondialdehyde content decreased in ipsilateral testes after naringenin treatment, leading to enhanced testicular reproductive function.

CONCLUSION

Naringenin reduced NADPH oxidase activity and inhibited generation of reactive oxygen species to achieve protection of testicular reproductive function.