Protective effects of propolis on ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat testicular torsion and detorsion model.

The torsion model of testis in a rat was adopted for evaluation of possible effects of propolis (Prop) on ischemia-reperfusion (IS/REP) injury. The healthy male Wistar rats (totally 24 animals) were randomized into four groups (n = 6) and animals experienced bilateral testicular torsions as follows: In sham group just, laparotomy was performed and in IS group, animals experienced a 3 hr period testicular IS. In IS/REP group, a 3 hr period of IS followed by a 3 hr period of testicular REP for left testis and a one-week testicular REP for right testis were done. In this group animals were gavaged by 1.00 mL normal saline 1 hr before the onset of IS. In IS/REP/ Prop group, the same procedures for IS/REP animals were followed as well as gavage of 1.00 mL Prop extract solution 1 hr before the onset of IS. Analyses of biochemistry, histology, inflammatory biomarkers and sperm parameters were carried out. In IS/REP/Prop group, nitric oxide synthase malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase and 8-hydroxy-2 deoxyguanine in IS/REP/Prop group were significantly decreased and, superoxide dismutase, total glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase were significantly increased compared to the other animals. In IS/REP/Prop group, seminiferous tubules (with normal spermatogenesis) showed all stages of spermatogenic cells with plentiful spermatozoa. Tubular deterioration and atrophy and spermatogenic cell loss in were seen in a limited extent. The mean concentrations of Interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha in IS/REP/Prop were significantly decreased. Sperm quality was significantly improved by Prop in IS/REP/Prop group. It was concluded that Prop could be supportive in diminishing IS/REP injury in testicular tissue exposed to ischemia.