The ameliorative effects of vinpocetine on apoptosis and HSP-70 expression in testicular torsion in rats

• Published in: Biotechnic & histochemistry 2017-02, Vol.92 (2), p.92-99
• Main Authors: Sönmez, MF, Ozdemir, Ş, Guzel, M, Kaymak, E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; antioxidant; Antioxidants - pharmacology; apoptosis; Apoptosis - drug effects; Germ Cells - drug effects; Germ Cells - metabolism; HSP-70; HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins - metabolism; Male; rat; Rats, Wistar; Reperfusion Injury - pathology; Spermatic Cord Torsion - drug therapy; testicular torsion; Testis - drug effects; Vinca Alkaloids - pharmacology; vinpocetine
• ISSN: 1052-0295; 1473-7760
• DOI: 10.1080/10520295.2016.1259499

Vinpocetine is a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger. We investigated the effects of vinpocetine on torsion/detorsion (T/D) induced testicular damage, HSP-70 expression and germ cell apoptosis in rats. Sixty Wistar albino adult male rats were divided into five groups of 12. The groups comprised a control group, a sham treated group, a T/D group, a vinpocetine treated group, and a T/D plus vinpocetine treated group. The left testis of each rat was subjected to unilateral torsion followed by detorsion after 2 h. Vinpocetine was administered intraperitoneally immediately and for 10 days following detorsion. At the end of the study, the rats were sacrificed and their testes removed and processed. HSP-70 expression, apoptosis and histopathological damage scores were determined for each group. Testicular T/D caused significant increases in apoptosis and HSP-70 expression, and a significant decrease in Johnsen's testicular biopsy scores and mean seminiferous tubule diameter. Vinpocetine ameliorated testicular histopathology and HSP-70 expression in the T/D + vinpocetine group. Consequently, vinpocetine may prevent testicular injury following testicular torsion owing to its antioxidant effects.