Protective efficacy of thymol in testicular ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats: A biochemical and histopathological evaluation.

OBJECTIVES

Testicular torsion represents a critical urological emergency, characterised by the rotation of the testicle around the spermatic cord and the only treatment option to prevent testicular loss is detorsion. Testicular ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) may result from ischemia due to torsion and reperfusion due to detorsion, which cause injury as a result of the loss of blood flow to the testicular tissue. Thymol (THY), known for its antioxidant properties, is a phenolic monoterpenoid used in the cosmetic and agricultural industries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the hypothesis that THY can safeguard the testicular tissue in a rat model of testicular IRI.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Eighteen Wistar-Albino rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control, IRI, and IRI+THY (100 mg/kg). In order to create the IRI model, a four-hour period of ischemia was initiated by rotating the left testis 720°, which was then followed by a two-hour period of reperfusion. The rats were sacrificed at the six-hour mark, after which biochemical and histopathological analyses were conducted on the excised testicular tissues.

RESULTS

THY treatment resulted in a notable improvement in testicular damage, as evidenced by the reduction of IRI-induced histopathological findings and an increase in Johnsen scores. In addition, THY treatment led to a significant decrease in the levels of biomarkers associated with IRI-induced inflammation, oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

CONCLUSION

These initial preclinical findings indicate that THY may confer protection against testicular damage induced by IRI. However, further comprehensive studies are required to substantiate this effect.