The effects of nitric oxide on the expression of cell adhesion molecules (ICAM-1, UEA-1, and tenascin) in rats with unilateral testicular torsion.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of nitric oxide (NO) on the expression of adhesion molecules in the early course of testicular I-R injury in rats.

METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into 4 groups, each containing 10 rats. A sham operation was performed in group 1 (control). In group 2 (I-R), after 6 hours of unilateral testicular torsion, 1-hour detorsion of the testis was performed. In group 3 (I-R/L-NAME), after performing the same surgical procedures as in group II, L-NAME was given for 30 minutes. In group 4 (I-R/Mol), after performing the same surgical procedure (torsion and detorsion) as in group II, molsidomine, an NO donor, was infused for 30 minutes. Then, ipsilateral orchiectomies were performed to measure the tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO and to make histologic examination.

RESULTS: MDA values and the testicular injury score decreased and NO values increased in the I-R/Mol-treated group compared with other experimental groups. The tenascin expression in the interstitial space and basement membrane of the tubuli seminiferi were milder in the I-R/Mol group compared with that of the I-R and the I-R/L-NAME. The acrosomes of the spermatids in I-R and I-R/L-NAME groups were stained mildly by lectin. In the I-R and I-R/L-NAME groups, the interstitial spaces, basement membrane of the tubuli seminiferi, and sertoli and germinal cells in testicular tissue were stained intensely by ICAM-1.

CONCLUSIONS: The expression of adhesion molecules such as tenascin, lectin, and ICAM-1 in the torted testicular tissue may be a pathophysiologic sign of inflammation. NO regulates adhesion molecules expression.