Time-dependent protective effects of syringic acid following testicular torsion-detorsion: an experimental rat model.

PURPOSE: To investigate the protective effects of syringic acid (SA) against testicular ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury during different reperfusion periods in an experimental rat model.

METHODS

Forty-eight male Wistar albino rats were randomly assigned to six groups: control, sham, torsion/detorsion (T/D) 4 h, T/D + SA 4 h, T/D 24 h, and T/D + SA 24 h. Testicular torsion was induced by 720° rotation of the left testis for 2 h, followed by detorsion and 4 or 24 h reperfusion. SA (10 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 30 min before detorsion. Oxidative stress markers, histopathological alterations, and immunohistochemical expressions of apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (APAF-1) and inducible nitric oxide synthase were evaluated.

RESULTS

T/D significantly decreased total antioxidant status and glutathione levels while increasing myeloperoxidase activity and APAF-1/inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expressions compared with controls (p < 0.001). SA treatment restored antioxidant capacity and attenuated inflammatory and apoptotic responses (p < 0.05). Histopathological analyses demonstrated lower Cosentino scores and higher Johnsen scores in SA-treated groups than in untreated T/D groups (p < 0.05). Malondialdehyde levels showed no significant intergroup differences.

CONCLUSION

SA attenuates testicular I/R injury by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis while preserving spermatogenic function and histological integrity.