RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Testicular damage due to spermatic cord torsion may lead to infertility. It is probably because of changes in oxidative stress factors such as malondialdehyde. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of melatonin (MLT), as an antioxidant, on testicular damage induced by acute unilateral spermatic cord torsion and detorsion (T/D) in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this experimental study, 48 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (8 rats/group): sham group underwent right scrotal surgery only., the T/D group underwent right testicular torsion (for 1 hr) and detorsion, and the melatonin group underwent right testicular torsion, received 25 µg/kg melatonin intraperitoneally immediately after surgery of T/D. Then the histological parameters and malondialdehyde (MDA) changes were evaluated. RESULTS: Torsion and detorsion decreased the diameter of the tubules significantly compared to controls (p=0.003). Melatonin could increase the diameter, but it was not significant (p=0.26). The heights of the epithelium were constant in sham, T/D, and melatonin groups without any significant difference between groups (p=0.98). Based on Johnsen's score, spermatogenesis was normal in the sham group. The torsion significantly injured all lineage cells (p<0.001). There was no any spermatid or sperm in the seminiferous tubules. Melatonin improved the spermatogenesis significantly (p=0.02), but could not improve MDA level significantly (p=0.99). CONCLUSION: Severe degenerative changes of testis were induced by acute unilateral spermatic cord torsion and detorsion in rats, but it had no effect on MDA level.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Deltamethrin (DM) is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide that can elicit neurotoxicity, leading to apoptosis. There is accumulating evidence that oleuropein (OE) has anti-apoptotic effect. The purpose of this study was to determine the anti-apoptotic effect of OE pretreatment in the neuronal cells of cerebral cortex. METHODS: Rats were randomly divided into four groups each containing five rats: DM-treated group (12.5 mg/kg, a single dose), OE-treated group (20 mg/kg per day), DM + OE-treated group, and vehicle group. Sections of the brain were obtained 24 hours after DM injection and studied for histopathological and immunohistochemistry assessment. RESULTS: The histopathological assessments showed lesser characteristics of neural degeneration in DM + OE group compared with DM group. Greater Bcl-2 and attenuated Bax expression could be detected in the DM + OE treated-mice compared with DM group. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that DM-induced neurotoxicity can be subsided by OE.