Effects of gradual low-flow reperfusion postconditioning on ischemia-reperfusion injury involving incomplete testicular torsion in rabbits.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of gradual low-flow reperfusion postconditioning (GLFRP) on testicular ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI).

METHODS

A rabbit testicular ischemia model was established, and rabbits were divided into mild ischemia groups (the IRm, IPm1, IPm2, IPm3, and IPm4 groups) and moderate ischemia groups (the IRM, IPM1, IPM2, IPM3, and IPM4 groups). The IRm and IRM groups underwent direct reperfusion. The IPm1 and IPM1 groups, and the IPm3 and IPM3 groups, received 45 and 30 s maintained low-flow reperfusion. The IPm2 and IPM2 groups, and the IPm4 and IPM4 groups, were subjected to 45 and 30 s gradual low-flow reperfusion. The SOD and Johnsen's score of testicular tissue on the surgical side 3 days after reperfusion were determined.

RESULTS

The SOD activities in the IP3 and IP4 groups were higher than those in the IR, IP1, and IP2 groups (P < 0.05), and those in the IP4 group were higher than those in the IP3 group (P < 0.05). The Johnsen's score in the IPm4 group was higher than that in the other groups (P < 0.05), those in the IPM groups were higher than those in the IRM group (P < 0.05), and those in the IPM3 and IPM4 groups were higher than those in the IPM1 and IPM2 groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

GLFRP could effectively reduce testicular IRI.