Comparison of Intraperitoneal and Intraepididymal Quercetin for the Prevention of Testicular Torsion/Detorsion-Induced Injury

• Published in: Urology (Ridgewood, N.J.) N.J.), 2017-01, Vol.99, p.106-111
• Main Authors: Chi, Kai-Kai, Zhang, Wen-Hui, Wang, Guang-Ce, Chen, Zhu, He, Wei, Wang, Suo-Gang, Cui, Yong, Lu, Peng, Wang, Xiao-Jiao, Chen, Hui
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Urology
• ISSN: 0090-4295; 1527-9995
• DOI: 10.1016/j.urology.2016.09.017

Abstract Objective To compare the effects of intraepididymal QE (IE-QE) with those of intraperitoneal quercetin (IP-QE) on testicular torsion/detorsion (TD)-induced ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury of the testes in an experimental rat model. Materials and Methods Twenty-four rats were divided into four groups: sham (S), TD, TD treated with IP-QE, and TD treated with IE-QE. The IP-QE group received 20 mg kg−1 QE intraperitoneally, while the IE-QE group received QE epididymally. After surgically induced TD, sera and testicular tissues were obtained for the analysis of biochemical parameters including glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), histological changes, and evaluation of germ cell apoptosis. Results The OSI and oxidants (MDA, TOS) were increased with a concomitant decrease in the antioxidants (GPx, TAS) in the TD group. Severe histopathological damage indicated by low Johnsen scores and high testicular injury grades, and germ cell apoptosis were found in the TD group compared with the other groups. Rats treated with QE showed significantly less IR injury, with moderately altered biochemical parameters, histopathological damage, and germinal cell apoptosis compared with the TD group. Most importantly, we found no significant differences in the biochemical parameters, histopathological changes, and germinal cell apoptosis between the IP-QE and IE-QE groups. Conclusions intraepididymal QE was comparable to intraperitoneal QE in the treatment of testicular TD. Local QE therapy should be considered as a new approach to treating testicular IR injury due to TD.