RESUMO
PURPOSE: The aim of the study is to investigate the effects of erythropoietin on torsion/detorsion injury in rats. METHODS: Forty rats were divided randomly into 5 groups: group I (sham, S), sham operation; group II (torsion/detorsion 1, T/D(1)), 3 hours ischemia and 1 hour reperfusion; group III (torsion/detorsion 2, T/D(2)), 3 hours ischemia and 48 hours reperfusion; group IV (erythropoietin 1, EPO(1)), 3 hours ischemia, 1 hour reperfusion, and a single dose of EPO; and group V (erythropoietin 2, EPO(2)), 3 hours ischemia, 48 hours reperfusion, and 2 doses of EPO. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels and activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were measured. Tissue damage to ovarian tissue was scored by histologic examination. Data were compared among groups with parametric tests. RESULTS: The MDA levels in the S and EPO groups were significantly lower than the T/D groups (P < .001). Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, and NO levels in the S and EPO groups were significantly higher than in the T/D groups (P < .05). Ovarian tissue damage in the S and EPO groups was significantly less than in the T/D groups (P < .05). Levels of all biochemical markers and ovarian tissue damage scores were similar among the S, EPO(1), and EPO(2) groups (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Erythropoietin attenuates ischemia-reperfusion injury when given during the acute phase of ovarian torsion-detorsion in a rat model.